5 Common Mistakes in Treating Allergies

The five most common ways people combat their allergy symptoms usually do not provide any relief at all. Here are five common mistakes and advice on how to better control allergy symptoms, including runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and headaches:

1. Treating symptoms without knowing their specific cause. More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies and most do not know what causes them to suffer! It is important to see a provider that has experience in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies.  An experienced provider will perform tests that will determine what your specific triggers are and will take time to learn about your environment and routine in order to find the right treatment to control your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
2. Treating after the symptoms start. Those who suffer from allergies will often wait until they are experiencing symptoms to begin taking allergy medication.  If you know what medication has worked for you in the past, do not wait to take it.  Start taking it before the season starts.  To anticipate when your allergies might start up again, you should follow the pollen count and receive updates from online resources. It is important to note that as soon as the weather begins to warm up, pollens and molds will be released into the air and your symptoms will most likely start soon after.
3. Spending money on over-the-counter products without any relief.  80% of allergy sufferers said self-medication falls short of being “effective” in treating their symptoms. People will usually try different combinations of drugstore meds prior to seeking the advice of an allergy specialist. If over-the-counter medications are not working, speak with your provider. They can recommend treatments such as nasal sprays or allergy immunotherapy which can provide relief from your allergies and save you money in the long run.
4. Not avoiding triggers. It is important to create the right treatment plan in order to find relief from allergies and live your best life.  Seek treatment from a provider that truly cares about you and takes the time to understand your problem instead of rushing to prescribe generic medications.  An experienced provider will recommend ways to minimize your exposure to your allergic triggers.
5. Eating produce that can trigger spring allergy symptoms. A third of seasonal allergy sufferers experience an itchy mouth, lips, or throat, and may sniffle and sneeze after eating certain raw foods or fresh fruit. This condition is called oral allergy syndrome. The immune system of people who are allergic to pollen can sense a similarity between the proteins of pollen and those in foods. If you are allergic to tree pollen, eating apples, cherries, pears, apricots, kiwis, oranges, plums, almonds, hazelnuts, and walnuts may cause a reaction. Cooking or peeling these foods may help, but it’s important to talk to a provider if you are experiencing any reactions to foods.

If you suffer from allergies, call us at 480-498-8092.  We have offices in Fountain Hills and Scottsdale, Arizona.  Or, schedule an appointment online by visiting our Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy website at https://www.sinusandallergywellnesscenter.com/

Tags: allergies, allergy relief, allergy, sinuses, sinus, Sinus & Allergy Wellness Center, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, seasonal allergies, Arizona allergies, pollen, allergy medicine, allergy immunotherapy, oral allergy syndrome