It’s time to shake off that cold winter air and embrace the scent of blooming flowers and leafy trees that spring brings. While many of us look forward to the new season, some people might notice that spring air carries a few substances that irritate their sinuses and potentially lead to sinusitis. The most likely culprit of your sinus irritation is pollen.
How Does Pollen Irritate My Sinuses?
Georgia is a beautiful place with plenty of trees, grass and beautiful flowers. Unfortunately, all of that stunning nature comes with a slight price. Oak, cedar, pine and Birch trees release pollen into the air that can cause inflammation in the sinus cavities along with other allergy symptoms. In addition to the tree pollen, Bermuda and fescue grass will start to pop up later in the spring.
When you’re sensitive to pollen, your immune system identifies it as a harmful substance, the way that it would a dangerous bacterium. When this substance enters your system, the immune system reacts by producing antibodies that attack the allergen. When this process occurs, it causes a host of allergy symptoms, not the least of which is sinus discomfort.
How Can I Protect My Sinuses?
Minimizing sinus discomfort this spring focuses on avoiding allergens as much as possible, treating symptoms and, more in the long term, reducing your sensitivity to the pollen:
- Avoiding allergens. Allergen avoidance is an effective way to minimize sinus discomfort in the spring. The first step is awareness. Check your local pollen levels on The Weather Channel and schedule your outdoor activities when the pollen count is low. You can further minimize your exposure by closing the windows in your home, showering after coming home and wearing long sleeves and pants if you’re spending a day in the woods.
- Treating symptoms. Daily medication offers short-term relief for allergy symptoms. You can use antihistamines, corticosteroids, mast cell inhibitors or decongestants. Each medication offers a different type of relief. If you have questions about which medication is right for you, feel free to give us a call.
- Reducing sensitivity. You can reduce your sensitivity to allergens through long-term immunotherapy. The treatment introduces you to small, increasing doses of the allergen you’re sensitive to over the course of three to five years to help your body build up a tolerance.
In addition to protecting against pollen, you can reduce sinus symptoms through a few home methods:
- Irrigate your sinuses with a saline solution and Neti Pot
- Place a warm compress over your nose, forehead and cheeks
- Drink plenty of water
For more information about safeguarding your sinus health this spring, call ENT of Georgia North today.