The first official day of spring is March 20… are you already dreading the pollen?! If pollen causes frustrating allergy symptoms, there are treatment options that can help! Allow us to answer FAQs about pollen allergy symptoms, different types of pollen, and available treatment options.
What are symptoms of a pollen allergy?
Because pollen will aggravate your immune system via your nose, eyes, and mouth, it’s understandable that those three places will likely produce frustrating symptoms first! If you have a pollen allergy, you may experience a stuffy nose, watery eyes, and constant sneezing when you’re near the allergen. These symptoms can be both frustrating and intrusive as you try to get through the day.
What are the different types of pollen?
Pollen-producing plants can be found by the hundreds all across America. The main culprits of frustrating allergy symptoms include birch pollen, oak pollen, grass pollen, and ragweed pollen. As birch and oak trees bloom, pollen is released into the air and easily carried by the wind and travel for miles. Many varieties of grass and weeds will produce pollen when they are allowed to grow tall. Many people keep their grass short to minimize the opportunity for their grass and weeds to pollenate.
In addition to receiving immunotherapy treatment, here are a few practices to implement to lessen the symptoms of your pollen allergy:
- Ask someone else to mow your grass.
- Keep your windows closed during pollen season.
- Dry your clothes in the dryer, not outside.
- Wash your hair before bed to remove any pollen.
What treatment options are available for a pollen allergy?
Because there are many different types of pollen, it’s vital that your allergist determines exactly which pollen is causing your symptoms to run wild. By performing an allergy test, Dr. Brauer can test for up to 60 allergens, including any present pollen allergy.
Once Dr. Brauer reads and discusses the results with you, she can discuss treatment options. One of the most effective treatments for pollen allergies is immunotherapy. Immunotherapy will slowly and safely teach your immune system not to overreact to pollen when it enters your body… because eliminating pollen from the earth isn’t an option! Immunotherapy treats the cause of your symptoms, not just suppresses them.