Spring Allergies In Tampa: Treatment And Relief Tips

Some say spring is one of the best seasons due to the beautiful weather in Tampa. Still, for some people, spring is the season of allergy, with symptoms such as itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and so on. With the high humidity in Tampa and the associated increase in pollen release, people with allergies find the spring season almost unbearable.

This article provides all you need to know about spring allergies in Tampa and the appropriate management.

What are Spring Allergies?

About 20 million adults in the United States suffer from allergies. Several inducers include dust, food, pollen, and many others. While some suffer from pollen allergies, mainly in the spring, allergies in others could be affiliated with winter, summer, or fall, depending on the triggers.

Allergies are hypersensitivity reactions of the body to a particular substance, either through inhalation, ingestion, or even touch. Allergies are triggered during spring due to the increased pollen release by blooming flowers. However, pollen isn’t the only trigger of spring allergies; mold growth and dust also trigger allergic symptoms.

Spring allergies typically start in early February and last till late early summer. There could be variations depending on the area’s climate.

What Causes Spring Allergies?

As stated earlier, spring allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction to pollen. The body senses pollen as a foreign antigen and reacts exaggeratedly to remove the intruder. Once pollen is inhaled, the body’s immune system triggers a reaction to dispose of it. This results in the release of chemical mediators in the body, including histamine, which causes the symptoms elicited, known as allergies.

Most people with spring allergies have a genetic predisposition. They usually have a family history of atopy or any other form of allergy.

Due to the breezy atmosphere of the spring season, pollen can be carried to distant areas from the source, triggering allergies. Pollen from the following trees triggers spring allergies: alder, ash, cedar, aspen, cottonwood, cypress, oak, maple, olive, pine, and sycamore.

Pollen from these grasses and weeds: saltgrass, Timothy, Bermuda, Orchard, Johnson, and Perennial rye also trigger allergies. If you have any of these plants and trees in your surroundings, exercise utmost care, as they could trigger your spring allergies.

What are the Symptoms of Spring Allergies?

The symptoms of spring allergies can vary in different individuals. The amount of pollen in your location can influence the type and severity of the symptoms.

Some of the common symptoms are:

• Sneezing
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Swollen mucous membranes
• Coughing
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Itching
• Skin rashes
• Skin irritation

How Can I Prevent Spring Allergies?

Although avoiding the allergen (pollen) is one of the best ways to manage symptoms of spring allergies, pollen is difficult to avoid because the wind easily carries it to distant places. Ways to effectively reduce symptoms include:

• Avoid outdoor trips on windy days
• Avoid gardening during peak seasons
• Put on a face mask or dust mask when pollen counts are high
• Close the door and windows and run your ac during the spring.
• Monitor the pollen counts in your local area via the weather app.

How Can I Treat My Spring Allergies?

Spring allergies cannot be cured entirely, but the symptoms can be managed to prevent debilitating complications. One of the best ways to treat them is to avoid the triggers, which have been covered under the previous heading. Other ways to treat include:

Medications

Some over-the-counter medications can be used during the acute phase.

• Antihistamines: they reduce the release of histamine, resulting in a subsequent reduction in symptoms. Examples are Diphenhydramine, Loratadine (name brand Claritan), and Cetirizine (name brand Zyrtec).
• Decongestants: Examples include Oxymetazoline and Pseudoephedrine, which work by causing vasoconstriction of the blood vessels, reducing ongoing inflammation.
• Antihistamine and Decongestant combinations: some examples are Fexofenadine/Pseudoephedrine and Loratidine/Pseudoephedrine.

Care should be taken in the administration of these medications, as the risk of abuse is high. Ensure you consult your doctor before using these medications.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is used in cases where medications are not enough to relieve the symptoms. Allergy shots are given as a series of long-term injections with increasing amounts of allergen. These allergy shots expose the allergy to the body’s immune system in a regulated manner, reducing the hypersensitivity reaction to the allergen and, thus, reducing the severity of the individual’s symptoms.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), some individuals may experience complete relief a year after starting immunotherapy. Treatment usually continues for up to three to five years.

Immunotherapy is not advised for children below five years of age. Be sure to consult your physician if you are considering this treatment option.

Home Remedies

Some home remedies have proven effective in the management of symptoms of spring allergies, and they include the following:

• Use air-conditioners in your home and car to reduce exposure to pollen and other triggers.
• HEPA is a high-efficiency particulate air vacuum filter. It is highly recommended for people with allergies and provides cleaner air for individuals with allergies.
• Ensure you remove and wash any clothing that has been worn outside immediately after you get back home.
• Dry your clothes with the dryer machine rather than sun-drying
• Use a squeeze bottle or nasal irrigation to flush out pollen

Relief Spas

Relief spas and massage have been on the rise in relieving allergic symptoms. Traditional Chinese medicine has used massages and acupuncture to manage seasonal allergies for many years. Recent studies have shown that massage therapy effectively improves asthma patients’ pulmonary function. The benefits of relief spas in the treatment of spring allergies are:

• Nasal decongestion: Massage induces lymphatic drainage, thus prompting nasal decongestion. The Swedish massage technique is helpful for people with allergy-related sneezing and coughing. It opens the nasal passages and increases nasal oxygenation.
• Alleviation of headache: headache is sometimes a common complication of spring allergies due to constant sneezing. The messages promote blood circulation, thus draining the sinus cavities and increasing overall body recovery.
• Stress management: Stressors induce and worsen allergic symptoms, and massages relieve stress by increasing the release of serotonin, which has a calming effect on the body and promotes sleep.

Consult your doctor for the most appropriate treatment option for you.

Take Home Message

Your spring allergies should not stop you from appreciating the beautiful spring season. You can manage your symptoms effectively by abiding by your doctor’s instructions. If symptoms worsen and are difficult to control with medications, call 911 immediately or visit the nearest emergency center.

You can also make an “On My Reservation” on the TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track for excellent healthcare services by qualified medical professionals and the latest medical technologies.