Spring has finally sprung! For most of us, it’s a time to get outside, play some sports, and have picnics before it gets too hot. For others, it’s a time of suffering: itchy eyes, runny nose and too much sneezing. As trees, grasses, and weeds come back to life, they release pollen, which makes more than 50 million Americans’ lives a living hell – that is, unless you take these three steps to finding relief.
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Know your poison
The first most important thing you can do to find relief is know what is causing your pain. Are you allergic to cottonwood or oak? Is that bermuda grass causing you problems or is it the Kentucky bluegrass? Knowing what kind of trees, grasses and weeds you are allergic to can make your life a lot easier by helping you avoid those which are worst. If you have problems with bermuda grass, don’t picnic in a field of it; if you are allergic to cedar trees, don’t plant one in your backyard.
You can find out what you’re allergic to by getting an allergy panel. Visiting a primary care doctor in Naples is an essential first step, though. We can meet with you to find out what symptoms you have and rule out other problems before giving you a referral to an allergist.
2. Start early, Part I
The time to start taking allergy medicine is not after you’re already sneezing. If you know that you usually experience allergy symptoms in mid-April, start taking your allergy medicine in early April. This will prime your body with antihistamines so that when the pollen comes, your body doesn’t recognize it as something so offensive. Your body is, after all, prepared and primed to fight back and prevent those symptoms you so often experience.
If your over-the-counter (OTC) solution doesn’t seem to be working for you, stop in to your Naples primary care doctor and we can find something better – maybe a prescription-strength medicine or a combination of antihistamine and decongestant that you haven’t tried yet.
3. Start early, Part II
Tree and grass pollen counts are the highest in the afternoon and evening, so if you need to get errands done, try to do them before work or during the day. That way you’re not exposing yourself when you’re most likely to suffer. Want to spend time on your porch enjoying nature? Have a coffee at 6am instead of a cocktail at 6pm. Minimizing your exposure will make your life less sneezy – and that’s good for your nose.
First Care – Primary Care Naples
As a highly respected walk-in medical clinic, First Care is committed to providing comprehensive urgent care and primary care services to residents and visitors of the Naples, Florida, area. Founded in 2012, our veteran-owned clinic is both patient-centered and knowledge-driven. For individuals who have non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses, our urgent care center is a convenient and affordable alternative to overcrowded and expensive hospital emergency rooms.
Read more about primary care in Naples or contact our Naples walk-in clinic.