When Allergies Strike
Hopefully you and your family have made it through the winter without the flu. As the warmer weather begins creeping in, so will seasonal allergies. Surprisingly, 20-40% of the population suffers from allergies, and one out of every four children is allergic to something. Those odds may help you make sense of the sneezing and coughing that overtakes your household in the spring. In Mississippi, allergy season strikes earlier than in other parts of the country, so we want to be prepared.
Symptoms Of Allergies
An allergy occurs when a substance that is usually harmless causes your immune system to overreact. Allergies can include pollen from various grasses and trees, pet dander, mold, dust mites, and even food. The most common food allergens are found in peanuts, eggs, milk, and shellfish. Allergies to mold and pollen are typically seasonal when particles more easily enter the nose or throat causing irritation. Allergies have no cure and reveal themselves through sneezing, coughing, congestion, and itchy or watery eyes.
Pollen In Mississippi
If you find your sinuses are acting up between the months of March and May, you may be allergic to specific pollens. Tree pollen that causes seasonal allergies in the southeast throughout these three months includes birch, cedar, cottonwood, elm, and pine. Allergies to oak, pecan, maple, and mulberry pollen begins in April. Plantain weeds and Bermuda grass are also common pollen allergies that begin causing reactions in April.
Treatment For Allergies
For some allergies like pet dander or specific foods, the best way to prevent an allergic reaction is avoidance. However, during specific seasons when pollen or mold is everywhere, it is very difficult to avoid it completely. Some people find relief from medication such as an antihistamine or a decongestant, while others prefer to receive an allergy shot to minimize symptoms. But an over-the-counter medication will not help you build a tolerance to the allergy, and there are several risks involved with the allergy shot.
If you want to avoid the annoyance and discomfort that seasonal allergies bring, then stop by one of our locations. A trusted walk-in clinic, TrustCare Express Medical Clinic will help you get ahead of the allergy game and determine the treatment plan that is right for you.