Camping around Lake Clara Meer, riding your bike along the trails or having picnics in the park are all great ways to start your spring and summer off right. However, if you’re part of the 20% of the United States population living with seasonal allergies, you may want to keep an extra eye out for common Georgia allergens. Let’s take a look at a few Georgia allergens and what you can do to minimize your symptoms for a better spring and summer.
Common Georgia Allergens
Pollen type and count may differ and reach their peak at varying times from year to year, but a few allergens common to Georgia in the spring and summer include:
- Pollen from trees like pine, oak and cedar (late March through May)
- Pollen from Bermuda and Timothy grass (warm and dry periods of the summer)
- Pollen from Ragweed flowering (August to November)
In addition to pollen, you may experience sensitivity to dust mites, pet dander, mold spores and cockroaches during allergy season. A few allergy symptoms to expect might include:
- Congestion
- Itchy eyes, nose and throat
- Watery eyes
- Mucus in the nose and throat
- Fatigue
- Sinus headaches
- Allergic shiners (dark circles under the eyes)
- Sore throat from postnasal drip
- Trouble breathing
- Sneezing or coughing
When allergies are at their peak, management becomes a crucial part of your fun summer plans.
Allergy Management Techniques
With allergy season in full swing, try a few of these techniques to manage your symptoms:
- Avoidance. One of the best ways to prevent allergy symptoms is to avoid their triggers. A few ways to avoid pollen include keeping doors and windows closed, showering upon returning home and staying indoors as much as possible on high-pollen days.
- Medication. Allergy medications provide short-term relief for your symptoms and may be enough to manage minor allergies. Medication options may include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal corticosteroids, decongestant nasal sprays, allergy eye drops and mast cell inhibitors. Contact your allergy specialist for a recommendation if you’re unsure where to start.
- Immunotherapy. For those who don’t find sufficient relief from medication or allergen avoidance, immunotherapy may be the next option. With immunotherapy, your allergist will administer increasing doses of an allergen, through shots or drops, over three to five years to reduce sensitivity. Many people will see symptom reduction within the first year, with continued improvement over the next few years.
To learn more about managing your allergies this spring and summer, contact ENT of Georgia North today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.
