Spring has sprung, which might be the culprit of your runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing. The good news is that your seasonal allergies don’t have to keep you inside now that the weather is nice. There are treatment options available and ways to reduce your exposure to allergens.

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis, also called hay fever, include a runny nose, itchy watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and dark circles under the eyes.

When is Hay Fever Season?

Tips for Reducing Exposure to Allergens

seasonal allergies

According to Women’s Health, pollen allergies start as early as March and last until the first frost. Tree pollen is a top allergen in March, while grass pollen peaks in late spring. Do you want up-to-date information on which pollen is prevalent in your area? The National Allergy Bureau has a 5-day allergy forecast based on zip code. You can use this information to plan your outings when pollen is high in your area. Pollen counts are at their highest in the morning and on dry, windy days, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Try these tips from the Mayo Clinic:

  • Wear a pollen mask if you doing chores outside like mowing the lawn, gardening, or pulling weeds
  • Change your clothes after you’ve been outside and take a shower to rid the pollen from your hair and skin
  • Use a dehumidifier to keep the air in your house dry
  • Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter

Hay Fever Treatments

There are over-the-counter medications that can help alleviate symptoms associated with seasonal allergies. Oral antihistamines are a great choice if you need to relieve watery eyes, a runny nose, itching, and sneezing. Decongestants work well for nasal stuffiness. Try a combination medicine like Claritin-D or Allegra-D if you need an antihistamine and decongestant. If over-the-counter medications are not enough, a provider may suggest allergy shots.

Need Relief Now?

If you are unsure of which over-the-counter medication to try or if your symptoms persist, visit Advanced Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine. With several locations across Colorado’s Denver metro area, our providers can evaluate your symptoms and recommend what is best to treat your seasonal allergies today.

Click here to read our additional resource on seasonal allergies vs. COVID.

Click here to read about seasonal allergies vs. the common cold.