As allergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S., prioritizing your general health this year will be important. As various weather and seasonal changes bring on different types of allergens to the air, preparing for all seasons can benefit your health year round.
At Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee, we help our patients manage their sinus issues. If you’re unsure of where to begin when it comes to preparing for allergy season, we have you covered. Understanding the common types of allergens in your geographic area can prove to be helpful to your sinuses in the long run.
Here’s what you need to know:
Indoor Allergens
Outdoor Allergens
Common Symptoms
Treatment Options
Indoor Allergens
Allergic reactions can occur in our homes due to a variety of factors. When it comes to indoor allergies, dust mites are a major concern. Despite their diminutive size, dust mites are translucent, tiny arachnids (not bugs), which feed on human skin flakes. Fortunately, they aren't parasitic and don't burrow into your skin. They do, however, contain proteins that may cause allergic reactions in some people.
These reactions are caused by the droppings that are inhaled when they are blown around. Typically, they live on pillowcases, bedding, carpeting, and upholstered furniture. Due to the colder weather in the winter, we use more bedding, and therefore are more exposed to the allergens associated with dust mites.
In addition to dust mites, pet dander can cause a number of people to suffer allergic reactions during any season of the year. When we open our windows less, we have greater chances of experiencing mold and mildew reactions. This is especially true in more humid places such as in Tennessee, where the temperatures create the perfect conditions for mold growth and other indoor allergens.
Outdoor Allergens
In addition to affecting the indoor health of your home, mold and mildew are also a problem outdoors. During the winter months, dead leaves are one of the main sources of mold and mildew. This is generally because the leaves themselves are a source of cellulose which serves as a food source for the mold.
Moisture is the final ingredient, and Tennessee gets plenty of rainfall and/or humidity throughout most seasons. Asthma and allergies can be easily triggered by mold growing in the yard. As a result of wind gusts, mold and mildew particles can spread upward to be inhaled. Mold growth can accumulate in the fur of pets that alternate between the indoors and outdoors as well.
Seasonal allergies are often caused by pollen from trees. It is usually cold enough during the middle of the winter, like December and January, to prevent these specific allergens from surfacing. However, with warmer seasons, you’ll want to try incorporating local honey into your diet to avoid harsh reactions to your local tree and pollen allergens.
Contact the allergists at Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee and enjoy your time outdoors!
Common Symptoms
If you’ve lived in Tennessee your entire life or for less than a year, chances are you’re already familiar with spring allergy symptoms. They are:
Sneezing
Runny, itchy nose
Itchy, red eyes
Headaches
Fatigue
Congestion
Sinus Drainage
Allergy Triggers in Tennessee
Although many people believe their allergy symptoms can be attributed to budding trees and other plants, it is best not to guess. The presence of mold in the air can also trigger allergies, and it is often harder to spot than reactions to blossoming trees. However, trees in your specific geographical location are among the biggest pollen offenders, with the top ones in Tennessee being:
Birch
Cedar
Elm
Maple
Poplar
Grasses, weeds, and molds are usually close behind, and since our weather is unpredictable, pollen season can last for up to six months. Self-medicating or attempting to tough it out for that long isn't ideal, and you’ll likely want to find a reliable, long-term solution. That’s where an experienced ENT specialist can come in handy.
Learn more about the allergy triggers in your area to protect yourself from the above symptoms.
Treatment Options
In preparation for allergy season, finding the best treatment options is a good first step. Get in touch with an allergy specialist if you do not currently take medication to treat your allergies or do not know what causes your symptoms.
Often, allergy medication is recommended to be taken up to two weeks before you typically feel symptoms. Many over-the-counter medications can reduce your allergic reactions before and after they occur. You can ease stuffy noses, itch eyes, and other allergy symptoms by treating symptoms before they occur with the right prescribed medication solutions
Pro Tip: If you are looking to treat more than your symptoms, immunotherapy can desensitize you to the allergens that are bothersome to you.
See an Allergist in Nashville, TN
Unfortunately, there are bound to be allergens anywhere you go. The good news is that you can visit Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee (OAT), an allergist in Nashville.
There are a variety of treatments that can be used to learn more about your particular allergies and treat them directly.
