Let’s face it: allergies are everywhere this time of year. Allergies are caused when your immune system mistakes a harmless substance for a harmful invader.  Your immune system then produces antibodies that stay on the lookout for that particular allergen.  When you are exposed to that allergen again, the antibody releases immune system chemicals that can cause allergy symptoms.

The US has many areas where spring allergies begin in February and last until the end of summer. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, allergies affect more than 50 million people in the United States alone, which include 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children.

Among the thousands of types of pollen allergies, grasses are the number one cause of allergies. Certain tree species can cause allergies including birch, oak and cedar.

Allergy symptoms, for the most part, are fairly clear. Some common symptoms are sneezing, runny nose, red and watery eyes and a stuffy nose. These are just a few of the common symptoms associated with allergy season.

At Economy Pharmacy, we pride ourselves in putting our patients care above anything else. Our pharmacists and pharmacy technicians would be more than happy to answer any questions regarding allergy medications.

Here are a few things you can do to help prevent and treat allergies:

Keep an eye out for the pollen count.

The pollen count is how much pollen is in the air. It is usually reported on local news and weather stations. If you would like to check the daily pollen count, visit http://www.allergyclinicoftulsa.com.

Start taking allergy medicine before pollen season begins.

When you take your allergy medicine before allergy season arrives, you are allowing the medicine to work in your body to help fight off harmful invaders.

Visit your local pharmacist to ask for assistant on what they recommend.

Have a local pharmacist tell you what they would suggest for the particular type of allergy symptoms you have.

Keep your windows and doors shut in your car and at home during allergy season.

Allergies can easily enter into your cars and homes through rolled down or open windows. It is recommended to use a HEPA filter attachment.

Try a saline nasal rise.

This would be a great option to wash out all the allergens from your nasal membrane.

Economy Pharmacy offers many kinds of medications for allergy season. For more information, visit one of our 4 locations (Muskogee and Tulsa) or visit our website at www.economypharmacy.com.

 

Sources:

http://www.aafa.org/page/pollen-allergy.aspx