Sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose… If you have allergies, then you’ve probably experienced these symptoms more often than you’d like. These symptoms can affect your daily life, but the good news is that there are ways to make sure you’re fully covered this allergy season.
We sat down with Dr. Amina Abdeldaim, MD MPH, a board-certified allergist and medical director for Picnic, a platform that can help you find a personalized treatment plan based on your medical history, symptoms, and preferences, to discuss what you should have on hand this allergy season.
So, which allergies are most prominent right now?
Until early to mid-July, grass pollen will be the most prominent aeroallergen, according to Dr. Abdeldaim. From July until the first frost, ragweed takes over. Mold, dust and pet allergen exposure can happen year-round.
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Below, Dr. Abdeldaim offers her tips on being prepared for allergy season:
Have an allergy kit on hand in case of an emergency
Experiencing severe or life-threatening allergies? You can find solace in having an allergy kit on hand, but what exactly should you keep in it?
“For mild allergy symptoms that do not interfere with quality of life, an occasional antihistamine or eye drop can work well,” Dr. Abdeldaim shares.
However, if you notice that your symptoms are beginning to affect your daily life; it’s time to get advice on which antihistamines or nasal sprays may be right for you. You can also consider getting allergy testing to correlate your symptoms to specific allergens, Dr. Abdeldaim suggests.
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“For those with life-threatening allergies, an auto-injectable epinephrine pen is essential,” Dr. Abdeldaim points out.
If you suffer from environmental allergies, it is wise to be prepared as well. For example, if you are allergic to dust, consider keeping an antihistamine pill or eye drop on hand if you know you are going to be in a dusty environment.
RELATED: How To Allergy-Proof Your Home
Allergy-proof your home wherever you can
Speaking of dust allergies, it is also a good idea to allergy-proof your home. This includes ridding your house of dust or anything else you may be allergic to. A good place to start?
“Encasing pillows and mattresses in dust mite-proof covers can help immensely,” Dr. Abdeldaim says.
Love pets, but are allergic to them? There’s a solution for that as well.
“For pet allergic patients, keeping the pet out of the bedroom/off the bed is also helpful,” Dr. Abdeldaim adds.
It is also wise to invest in a HEPA air filter, which can also help regulate perennial allergens in the bedroom.
RELATED: 7 Ways You’re Making Your Allergies Worse
Make an allergy action plan
According to Dr. Abdeldaim, allergy action plans are an essential part of being prepared for allergy season because getting the proper care means knowing the signs of an allergic attack and how to properly use your medication.
“You have to know how to use all of your medication and when to escalate your care,” Dr. Abdeldaim shares. “You need to know the signs that should unequivocally send you to the ER.”
Want to make an allergy action plan, but not sure where to start? Start by differentiating your symptoms. For example, an itchy nose or mouth may be a mild symptom for you. On the other hand, shortness of breath may be a sign of something more severe. It will be helpful for the people around you to know what mild and severe symptoms look like so they know how to proceed.
From there, you should give clear instructions on what they should do if you are experiencing an attack. Should they call 911? What medications should they give you? Should they lay you a certain way (i.e., flat on the ground)? Do you have an emergency contact they should call?
Getting the hang of how to successfully manage your allergies can be challenging, but it can be done. With the proper care, you can manage your allergies and still do the things you love.
“Don’t accept allergies, even seasonal allergies, as trivial. There are many solutions out there, and it’s important to get qualified advice on what will work for you,” Dr. Abdeldaim concludes.
To get a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, take Picnic’s personalized allergy quiz.
