While the seasons here in Texas may not be as dramatic as in some areas, changes do occur that can set off seasonal allergies. When pollen and mold take to the air and get into your respiratory tract — especially during the spring and fall months — you may find yourself struggling to breathe well.
At Houston Sinus Surgery in Houston, Cecil Yeung, MD and Marcus Hershey, MD work diligently to help patients overcome a wide range of problems that can lead to breathing issues, with seasonal allergies often leading the charge.
With fall right around the corner, here are a few tips that can help you weather the change so you can breathe easier.
Get to know your weather
One of the first lines of defense when it comes to seasonal allergies is to become familiar with the daily weather, including pollen counts and wind levels. During the fall, many potential irritants can take to the air, such as pollen and mold, and wind serves to spread them.
Most weather sources, including weather.com, include information on pollen counts and wind levels in forecasts dedicated to allergies. A quick daily check of these resources can let you know what your risk level is for allergy symptoms, which can help you tailor your activities for the day. In other words, on high pollen days, it might be a better idea to stay indoors and skip that afternoon walk in the park.
Keep it clean
Since pollen is one of the primary culprits when it comes to fall allergies, especially tree, ragweed, and grass pollen, you’d do well to minimize your contact with these irritants. If you do go outside, be sure to change your clothes when you come back in. Furthermore, launder your clothes and perhaps take a shower to get rid of any pollen that may have gotten on you.
Speaking of the home front, we also recommend that you outfit your home with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter system, which can help prevent allergens from circulating in the air of your home. We especially recommend that you run your air conditioner at night — with a HEPA filter — so that you can breathe deeply and get the restorative sleep your body needs.
Get tested and treated
If you suspect you have seasonal allergies, we urge you to come see us so we can identify what’s causing your symptoms. Through allergy testing, we can pinpoint the specific allergens that bother you and devise a treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms.
For example, immunotherapy may work to reduce your reaction to fall allergens or, if your allergies aren’t too severe, we may arm you with medications that can help you manage your respiratory symptoms.
If your allergies lead to problems like chronic sinusitis, we offer several solutions, from effective medications to minor surgical procedures, all of which can help open your airways again.
To get the jump on your fall allergies, book an appointment online or over the phone with Houston Sinus Surgery today.
