The Top 4 Allergy Tips & Tricks for the Spring Allergy Season

The first day of Spring has come and gone, and that means that Spring Allergies are on the horizon. The most notorious Spring allergens in Texas are grasses and trees; oak, ash, elm, and pecan. Symptoms of allergies occur when a sensitive person is exposed to a normally harmless substance.

#1 – Switch Up Your Meds

There are two major kinds of daily antihistamines, loratadine (claritin) and cetirizine (zyrtec). If you favor one or the other, but notice that when the seasons change your medicine isn’t working like it used to, switch it up!

We have found that taking one during our dreaded cedar season, and switching it up for spring allergies keeps your immune system on its toes enough to keep your allergies at bay.

#2 – Avoidance

Avoid outside allergens, but also avoid bringing outside allergens into your home. This is more work than switching up your meds, but it works.

Take your shoes off outside, and your coat. Change your clothes as soon as you come in so you don’t track pollen all through your home. Brush your hair.

Pollen is everywhere, this won’t get rid of all of it, but it will help reduce the amount of pollen in your home.

#3 – Air Purifier

Buying an air purifier is great for helping rid your home from allergens, but not all purifiers are created equal.

First you need to decide what kind of filter you need for what kind of allergens. Then you need to make sure you get one that is strong enough to clean the whole room.

Healthline has a great list of purifiers of different sizes and strengths: https://www.healthline.com/health/air-purifier-for-allergies#our-picks

#4 – Allergy Shots

If you are experiencing allergies and none of these tips have helped them subside, OR if you just want to lessen your allergies so you don’t have to deal with them as severely, we suggest Allergy Shots.

To achieve success in this, we will administer an allergy skin test. Based on your results, your doctor makes you a customized vial for your specific allergies. Each allergy shot contains a tiny amount of the specific substance or substances that trigger your allergic reactions.

You’ll receive these shots regularly for about 3-5 years until your allergies are virtually gone. Allergy symptoms won’t stop overnight. They usually improve during the first year of treatment, but the most noticeable improvement often happens during the second year.

After a few years of successful treatment, some people don’t have significant allergy problems even after allergy shots are stopped.

Need to schedule an allergy exam? Our allergy specialists are here to help you find the best treatment for your symptoms!