How to stay healthy during allergy season

If you find yourself suffering from sneezing, itchy eyes, and pressure headaches every spring, welcome to the seasonal allergy club. Here are some common questions about pollen allergies — and how to survive them without losing your mind.

How do I know if I have allergies, a cold, or a sinus infection?

It can be tough to tell sometimes. Unlike allergies, a cold or respiratory infection often brings on a fever, so that’s a key indicator. If your nasal congestion clears up within one to two weeks, chances are you had a cold rather than allergies. Seasonal allergy symptoms tend to last three weeks or more, depending on the types of pollen you’re allergic to.

Is it possible to prevent allergies?

You can’t prevent seasonal allergy symptoms from occurring, but you can do things to minimize the impact of the symptoms on your quality of life. Here are some recommended steps you take before and during allergy season:

- Start a steroid nasal spray about four to six weeks ahead of pollen season.

- Stay indoors during peak pollen hours, such as mornings. On high-pollen days, stay indoors as much as possible.

- Do your seasonal cleaning before pollen’s in the air. You may still have to cope with dust allergies while cleaning, but at least you won’t have to deal with dust and pollen.

- Keep windows closed when pollen counts are high.

- Place air filters inside your air conditioning vents to prevent pollen from getting blown into your living space.

- Get a dehumidifier. These devices also filter the air in your home, which may help improve your indoor air quality.

- Remove outer garments outside and shake them off before bringing them indoors. Even though you may not be able to see pollen on your clothing, it’s there.

- Wash pollen down the drain by showering as soon as you get home. Pollen sticks to your hair and skin, so rinsing it off will help keep it out of your bed, carpet, and furniture.

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How to cope with seasonal allergies

Your nose is runny, you have a scratchy throat and itching eyes, and yet it's not quite a cold or the flu. It could well be allergies.

According to the South African Allergy Society, scores of people across the globe suffer from Allergic Rhinitis, otherwise known as hay fever.

“Over 500 million people worldwide suffer from hay fever, with children and adults 30 to 40 years old, experiencing the worst symptoms, says Allison Veinings, Executive Director of the Self-Medication Manufacturers Association of South Africa (SMASA).

What are seasonal allergies?

“Allergies result when the immune system identifies a foreign substance, such as dust or pollen, incorrectly, then classifies it as harmful and treats it as such,” explains Veinings.

Hay fever in particular is the result of outdoor allergens such as pollen, and is periodic in nature. Grass is one of the main triggers of hay fever in summer, with allergic conjunctivitis (the allergic inflammation of the delicate membrane covering the inner and external part of the eyelid) being the most common seasonal allergy.

More prevalent among those with asthma, eczema and hay fever, its symptoms include redness and excessive watering of the eyes, swelling of the eyelids and whites of the eye, and itchiness.

Winter allergies cause similar symptoms to summer allergies i.e. an itchy nose and eyes, sneezing and watery eyes, and are generally triggered by the use of heaters or fireplaces – the mould spores and insect parts that are often trapped in these objects are released into the air and find their way into the nose, setting off a reaction. Other indoor triggers are animals and mites.

The problem with winter allergy symptoms is that they can easily be misdiagnosed as a common cold or flu. If symptoms persist for longer than 10 days, it is more likely an allergy than a cold or flu. If not treated and medicated correctly, allergies can linger for weeks or even months.

Diagnosis and treatment

“Following the timeline of how and when irritations start can highlight whether someone is a seasonal allergy sufferer,” says Veinings.

“The best remedy for allergies would obviously be to avoid allergens completely, however as this is not always possible, a sound knowledge of self-medication and responsible self-care is key for hay fever sufferers,” she concludes.

SMASA, which advocates responsible self-care throughout the year, suggests the following actions to maintain a solid self-care routine during allergy season:

•  Keep a pack of tissues on hand for days when allergies are at their worst.
•  Use eye drops to relieve itchy, watery eyes. 
•  Use an antihistamine to reduce nasal itching, sneezing and discharge.
•  Use a decongestant during winter to clear mucus.

As with any ailment or illness, prevention is better than cure. Consult your local chemist, nurse or health professional for the correct over-the-counter products to manage hay fever and other seasonal allergies and schedule an appointment with your doctor if symptoms persist. 

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