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Spring has officially begun, bringing warmer weather — and allergy season. CHRISTUS Health is providing tips for relieving pesky allergy symptoms as flowers bloom and trees release pollen.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 25% of Americans, or about 80 million people, suffer from seasonal allergies, which range from mild discomfort to severe reactions. 

“Allergy symptoms can persist year-round depending on where you live,” said Dr. Mahanoor Raza, a family medicine physician with CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System. “The key is to take a proactive approach to managing symptoms before they worsen.” 

Raza recommends starting an antihistamine such as Claritin, Allegra or Zyrtec early in allergy season and rotating between different antihistamines every three months to prevent the immune system from building a tolerance.

“One of the biggest challenges we see is distinguishing between allergy symptoms and a cold, as they share congestion, sneezing, itchy throat and a runny nose,” Raza said. “The key difference is a cold usually includes a fever and resolves in a few days, whereas allergy symptoms can persist much longer.” 

For milder symptoms, Raza said over-the-counter treatments such as nasal corticosteroids, saline rinses, local honey and decongestants can provide relief.

“Anyone experiencing persistent or worsening symptoms that significantly impact daily activities should consult a health care provider,” Raza said. “Allergy season can feel never-ending, but our goal is to help patients find the relief they need.”

To learn more about allergy symptoms and relief, visit our website.