If you are like many people, you don't give allergies much thought in your daily life. However, you could be unknowingly dealing with allergies to things like pollen every year. Learn about some of the signs and symptoms of pollen allergies as well as what you can do about it if you suspect you have them. Then, you can be sure you are taking care of yourself in the best way possible going forward.
Itchy Eyes
Itchy eyes are among the most common pollen allergy symptoms. Pollen particles are small and float in the air during the spring and summer especially. These pollen particles can get in your eyes and cause eye irritation. So, if you have itchy eyes often, especially in the spring and summer, you may have pollen allergies.
Runny Nose
Having a runny nose is also a sign of pollen allergies. Again, this is most true in the spring and summer when plant pollens are at their highest. Pay attention to how often you have a runny nose. If it is more than every once in a while, you will likely want to at least entertain the possibility that you have allergies.
Nasal Congestion
Nasal congestion is a common sign of pollen allergies as well. Having a stuffy nose with no other cold or flu-like symptoms can be a good indicator that it is allergies rather than an illness that is affecting you.
Headaches
Pollen allergies can also cause headaches. This is a particular issue when you have extreme nasal congestion and overall stuffiness. If you have frequent headaches at certain times of year, you could be battling allergies you didn't even know you had.
Wheezing
Oftentimes, pollen allergies also affect the bronchial tubes and lungs. Again, pollen is small so it can be breathed in. This can cause irritation in the throat and the passageways to and from the lungs. The end result is wheezing or even difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
What to Do about Pollen Allergy Symptoms
If you have one or more of these pollen allergy symptoms, you should head to an allergy center like the Allergy Asthma Immunology Center to get tested. Allergy testing is a quick and easy process. They use a small needle to test different allergens just under your skin. If the skin becomes irritated by the allergen solution, you are allergic to it.
Once the doctors at the allergy center know what you are allergic to and how severe your allergies are, they can come up with a treatment plan. For some people, just using an over-the-counter allergy medication daily can be effective enough to help them cope with pollen allergies.
Other people may need allergy shots to better manage the condition. These shots contain small amounts of the allergens so that a person builds up a sort of tolerance to allergens. This reduces the severity of symptoms and makes allergies easier to cope with.
Knowing these signs you have pollen allergies and what to do about it, you can contact an allergy center right away if you have symptoms.