Seasonal allergies can be lethal, and these days there is a lot of misinformation around what causes allergies and how to avoid them. The best way for you to get ahead of your allergy is to conduct plenty of research, including discussing with Pompeyo C Chavez, MD, so that you understand what fact is and what is fiction when it comes to seasonal allergies. Some of the most used phrases concerning seasonal allergies include:
You can develop allergies as an adult.
This one is a fact. Anyone can develop an allergy at any age. Adults are not exempt from developing new allergies. This condition occurs when your body mistakenly identifies certain substances in the environment as harmful. As you age, your immune system becomes weaker, which also weakens our hyper allergenic reactions. Most adults who experience an allergy will have already gone through the experience during their early life and cannot remember. These childhood allergies may often stay dormant throughout a patient’s teenage years, only to emerge later on in adulthood. So if you are feeling the sniffles, but assume it could not possibly be allergies, think again.
Eating local honey helps relieve allergy symptoms.
Unfortunately, this one is fiction. There has been a lot of buzz around this idea because bees collect pollen from local plants and use it to create their honey, and it could help build up your immunity to those local allergens. Believe it or not, flower pollen is one of the minor common allergens. What triggers most people’s seasonal allergies are pollens from trees, grass, and weeds, not in your local honey. Even though honey tastes nice and can help you feel better by raising your dopamine levels, your best bet for allergic reactions is over-the-counter medications.
Using nasal spray frequently can be detrimental to your health.
This one is a profound truth. Although nasal decongestant sprays can be effective, they are not appropriate for long-term care for allergy symptoms. These treatments can cause serious harm if patients do not use them properly. These sprays contain chemicals that shrink the enlarged blood vessels, causing congestion. After more than a few days of use, those blood vessels can become dependent on the drugs causing you to need to use more and more of it to get the same results. This condition is called the rebound phenomenon, and over time, it can lead to chronic sinusitis. Alternatively, try some other remedies like oral histamines or decongestants. If you opt for a nasal spray, use nasal corticosteroids rather than decongestants because they effectively relieve symptoms and do not carry the same risk.
It is best to be proactive and keep a consistent treatment plan to manage your symptoms when it comes to seasonal allergies. If you have questions about what is best for you, be sure to consult the offices of PREMIER FAMILY PHYSICIANS to learn more about allergies and the best way to treat yours.
