Just when we think that Winter is over and we can enjoy the great outdoors, Mother Nature reminds some of us that Spring is not without its own issues. As the grass grows, trees bud and flowers bloom, this otherwise glorious season can be quite unpleasant for those who suffer seasonal allergies.
Allergy symptoms can include sinus congestion, headaches, runny nose, sore throat and red, itchy eyes. For those who have asthma, it can cause an exacerbation of breathing difficulties. These symptoms can also have in impact on our overall quality-of-life and productivity because they can interfere with our ability to get good sleep and perform well at work.
It is important for allergy sufferers to recognize that there are many management options for their combination of symptoms. The first, though sometimes most challenging step is to eliminate exposure to the allergen(s). In reality, this is not always practical so limiting exposure is the next best thing. This may include closing your windows during peak pollen times and using HEPA filters in your home's heating/cooling system and vacuum, keeping household surfaces clean and dust-free and showering after yard work or other outdoor activities. Once you experience symptoms, therapeutic options may include over-the-counter and prescription drugs in the form of oral medications, nasal sprays and eye drops.
With regard to eye-related allergy symptoms, there are several good oral and topical over-the-counter products but also many products (mostly topical) which can do more harm than good. I often tell patients who present with various levels of ocular surface disease and who have been using OTC redness-relief or allergy eye drops, that they would have been better off using no drops at all. Ocular surface dryness, rebound redness and pupil dilation are common side effects of certain OTC eye drops. If you are not sure what to use, ask your eye doctor. We want you to get it right. Also keep your eye doctor in mind if you feel that your condition requires a prescription medication.
Contact lens wearers who struggle to maintain clean contact lenses during allergy season may benefit from an antihistamine/mast cell stabilizer eye drop as well as a new cleaning regimen or even a different brand of contact lenses during allergy season. Allergy expression can often lead to an alteration of the tear film and subsequently, rapid build up on contact lenses. Many allergy patients like the option of a daily disposable contact lens so they always have a clean lens.
So enjoy the weather, work in the yard, go for that walk or play outside with the kids. Don't let seasonal allergies ruin your enjoyment of the outdoors. Good options are available to help you manage the symptoms of seasonal allergies.
Allergy symptoms can include sinus congestion, headaches, runny nose, sore throat and red, itchy eyes. For those who have asthma, it can cause an exacerbation of breathing difficulties. These symptoms can also have in impact on our overall quality-of-life and productivity because they can interfere with our ability to get good sleep and perform well at work.
It is important for allergy sufferers to recognize that there are many management options for their combination of symptoms. The first, though sometimes most challenging step is to eliminate exposure to the allergen(s). In reality, this is not always practical so limiting exposure is the next best thing. This may include closing your windows during peak pollen times and using HEPA filters in your home's heating/cooling system and vacuum, keeping household surfaces clean and dust-free and showering after yard work or other outdoor activities. Once you experience symptoms, therapeutic options may include over-the-counter and prescription drugs in the form of oral medications, nasal sprays and eye drops.
With regard to eye-related allergy symptoms, there are several good oral and topical over-the-counter products but also many products (mostly topical) which can do more harm than good. I often tell patients who present with various levels of ocular surface disease and who have been using OTC redness-relief or allergy eye drops, that they would have been better off using no drops at all. Ocular surface dryness, rebound redness and pupil dilation are common side effects of certain OTC eye drops. If you are not sure what to use, ask your eye doctor. We want you to get it right. Also keep your eye doctor in mind if you feel that your condition requires a prescription medication.
Contact lens wearers who struggle to maintain clean contact lenses during allergy season may benefit from an antihistamine/mast cell stabilizer eye drop as well as a new cleaning regimen or even a different brand of contact lenses during allergy season. Allergy expression can often lead to an alteration of the tear film and subsequently, rapid build up on contact lenses. Many allergy patients like the option of a daily disposable contact lens so they always have a clean lens.
So enjoy the weather, work in the yard, go for that walk or play outside with the kids. Don't let seasonal allergies ruin your enjoyment of the outdoors. Good options are available to help you manage the symptoms of seasonal allergies.