During the summer, allergy symptoms (nasal congestion, watery eyes, sneezing, etc.) are often unpleasant. Don’t let them spoil your vacation!

 

Summer and seasonal allergies

Vacation time often brings with it seasonal allergies. The medical term for this is “allergic rhinitis”. This is the body’s response to exposure to an allergy-causing substance (known as an allergen). From spring through to fall, trees, shrubs, and plants release pollen. When the allergy-causing plants go through this necessary reproductive stage, your symptoms appear. 

The allergic reactions caused by different pollens occur at roughly the same time every year:

• March to June (pollen from trees and shrubs such as birch, maple, poplar, and oak)
• May to October (pollen from the Gramineae family such as grass, hay, bluegrass, and brome-grass), and
• July to October (pollen from ragweed) 

Seasonal allergies affect 20% to 25% of the population. They often affect more than one person within the same family.

 

Pollen exposure can be an issue… and a challenge!

It is possible to be less affected by allergy symptoms by limiting pollen exposure. Here are a few useful tips:

• Keep the windows in your home closed, and if you have an air-conditioning system, run it on indoor airflow to avoid letting allergens into your house.
• Don’t air dry your clothes and bedding outdoors, as this exposes them to pollen, which then finds its way back into the house.
• After a day spent outdoors, take a shower or a bath and wash your hair. Be sure to change your clothes as well. This eliminates the pollen on your body and prevents further exposure during the night.
• Close the windows when driving and use the air-conditioning instead.
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the pollen in the air.
• Keep in mind that pollen is more concentrated on sunny, windy days, and less present after rain. Plan your activities accordingly.
• You can also use the pollen index to find out the density of pollen in the air.

 

Allergy medications

Medication can help you control your symptoms and have a more enjoyable vacation.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines will help limit symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, and itching. A wide variety of products are available. Speak to your pharmacist for advice on which one is best suited to your situation.

Don’t wait until symptoms are full blown before starting to take an antihistamine. It is easier to manage symptoms at their onset. It is even recommended to take medication regularly for as long as your allergen is present. Speak to your pharmacist if your symptoms are not under control despite regular use of an antihistamine.

Saline solutions

The use of saline solutions can help clear nasal passages. These solutions remove the allergen from the nose, reducing symptoms of congestion while eliminating mucus. They are the first step in managing seasonal allergies. To find out more about saline solutions, read the following article: Nose care: good habits to adopt.

Decongestants  

Decongestants reduce the sensation of a stuffy nose. The use of antihistamines generally helps diminish congestion. Even so, the temporary use of a decongestant can sometimes help.

It should be noted that decongestant nasal sprays should not be used for more than three to five consecutive days, as they can cause rebound congestion when they are discontinued. They are also available in oral format. For many people, their use is not recommended, depending on their health or other factors. Do not take this type of medication without first speaking to your pharmacist.

Eye drops

If your main symptoms consists of watery, itchy eyes, you can make occasional use of antihistamine drops. However, in many cases, antihistamines in tablet format remain the preferred choice. Speak to your pharmacist before purchasing drops to ease allergy-related eye symptoms.

Nasal corticosteroids

When allergy symptoms are not completely under control despite appropriate treatment with antihistamines, this category of product can be useful for obtaining adequate relief. Regular daily use is recommended to help control nasal symptoms such as congestion and post-nasal drip. This type of treatment requires several days to take effect. You must speak to a pharmacist to obtain it.

Don’t let allergy symptoms spoil your vacation. Take the time to discuss it with your pharmacist, who can provide you with advice. Don’t hesitate to consult your pharmacist again if symptoms persist.