9 Ways To Treat Seasonal Allergies

If you’re sniffling nonstop, you want allergy relief—fast! These tips from our partner SingleCare can help.

By?Courtney Elder?|?Updated on Feb. 14, 2022

Medically reviewed by?Anis Rehman, MD?&?Leslie Greenberg, MD?

When allergy season hits, you can take comfort in knowing you’re not sneezing, itching, and suffering alone.?Over 50 million Americans experience allergies?every year; almost 1 in 3 adults have seasonal allergies (also called hay fever), and about 40% of children have allergy symptoms.

Those with asthma are significantly affected when springtime begins. Referred to as allergic asthma,?more than 25 million people?have difficulty breathing when their airways constrict due to exposure to an allergen. This serious matter can significantly affect children. Hospitals report that?asthma-related breathing trouble?is the third-ranking reason for hospitalizing children under the age of 15. Fortunately, there are many seasonal allergy treatments to make the season a little easier.

What is an allergy?

An allergy occurs when your body overreacts to an environmental trigger—like pollen or pet dander—that is harmless to most people. The substance creating the reaction is called an allergen. Just like with other illnesses or conditions,?your body goes through a lot internally when it encounters an allergen. The first time you are exposed, your immune system will produce an antibody that binds to the allergen, whether it’s a pollen or dust molecule. Your cells recognize this allergen as an invader, and white blood cells come to your rescue to defend your body.

This triggers other cells to rush in, releasing chemicals called histamines, and when everyone meets up to attack the allergen, you begin to notice symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, or itchy eyes. Unfortunately, once you develop an allergy to a specific trigger, you’ll experience the same type of response every time you are exposed, year after year.

Common allergy triggers and seasonal allergy symptoms

So, what is the best treatment for allergies? Well, it depends on what’s causing your symptoms in the first place. There are three main triggers for seasonal allergies, and they can all affect people in different ways:

• Pollen:?Perhaps the most commonly discussed allergen during springtime, pollen is found in abundance as flowers and trees bloom back to life. Various plants release microscopic particles that create a reaction when coming into contact with someone’s eyes or nose. Common symptoms of a pollen allergy include?a runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, and sneezing or nasal congestion. Sometimes only one of these will manifest or you might experience all of these concerns.
• Dust mites:?Nearly invisible to the naked eye, dust mites affect quite a few people and are the kind of allergy that can be hard to tackle since they live inside of your home.?These little creatures are mostly found in people’s bedrooms?and can trigger many of the same symptoms that pollen can.
• Mold:?Are your allergy symptoms seemingly present all of the time, even when it’s not spring? You might be experiencing an allergic reaction to mold, which is another very common cause for those itchy eyes and your runny nose.?Mold spores travel through the air both inside and outside.?Symptoms?are similar to those from pollen or dust mites.

Allergy symptoms are similar to common illnesses like a cold or?COVID-19. If you’re experiencing them for the first time, check with a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How to treat seasonal allergies

If you have allergy symptoms, what are you supposed to do? Depending on the cause and the symptoms you experience, there are natural remedies for seasonal allergies that can help allergy season be a lot more comfortable, especially when paired with the right allergy medicine.

Home remedies for seasonal allergies

1. Pay attention to mold and pollen counts.?You can find this on your local news station or at weather.com. If you planned to be outside on a day that’s ranking high with allergens, consider changing your outing to a different day or wear a mask.
2. Wash your hair at night.?Gel and mousse can?trap pollen, so it’s important to wash them out before you sleep. Pets can also bring in pollen, so consider a nightly bath for Fido after he’s been outdoors. Also, consider changing your pillowcase nightly to help decrease the allergen exposure as you sleep.
3. Keep your nose clean.?It’s easy for pollen to stick to your nasal passages and prolong your exposure to allergens. Try a nasal irrigation or a saline rinse. This can be done with a neti pot or non-prescription nasal spray to wash out the nose to treat nasal allergy symptoms.
4. Keep your doors and windows closed.?Keep allergens?from entering your home or car by keeping windows closed. Use an air cleaner with a HEPA filter to further purify indoor air. Replace air filters every 45 to 90 days. Some people who are especially sensitive opt to wear a dust mask in their home until their symptoms subside.?
5. Reduce your stress levels.?Stress raises levels of the hormone cortisol, causing allergy sufferers to react more extremely after stressful events.
6. Keep your home cool and clean. Dust mites thrive in hot, humid environments, so keep your temperature in the 60s with a humidity level?between 40% and 45%. Clean bedding and upholstery regularly in hot water to eliminate dust mites that are already there. Vacuum bedrooms regularly. Get rid of carpets and draperies in bedrooms.
7. Eat foods that help with allergies.?Some say that certain foods can keep allergies at bay, including pineapple with its natural antihistamine properties and curry, which may help reduce inflammation.
8. Try an alternative remedy.?Some believe that acupuncture or supplements like spirulina can relieve allergy symptoms. Just check with your provider first, to make sure this type of treatment is safe for you.
9. See a healthcare provider.?Your primary healthcare provider can offer allergy testing and recommend prescription-strength medication for your specific symptoms. If these treatments do not work, or you have a severe anaphylactic reaction to an allergen, then it’s time to call in a specialist. Allergists prescribe treatments that can be in the form of drops under your tongue or allergy shots to help decrease your sensitivity to the allergen.?

Medicine for seasonal allergies

Over-the-counter medication?options include oral antihistamines, nasal or oral decongestants, or a combination of the two to help fight your allergy symptoms. There are prescription-strength allergy medications as well. Be mindful of what time of day you take allergy medicine as some, like Benadryl, cause drowsiness.

Click here for a complete list of seasonal allergy medications and coupons.

RELATED:?Learn how to combine allergy medicine for a sneeze-free season

How to stop seasonal allergies permanently

Allergen immunotherapy is the only way to get rid of seasonal allergies permanently, and the process takes time. If seasonal allergy symptoms are interfering with your quality of life and you don’t experience relief from any of the treatment options above,?you should consider allergy shots.

Remember, seasonal allergies don’t have to ruin your ability to enjoy nice weather. A little careful planning and some management of your symptoms are really all it takes to have a fun and carefree allergy season!

For more health topics, visit SingleCare's blog, The CheckUp.