Battling Seasonal Allergies

Those with spring allergies are likely already feeling the irritating affects spring can have on their health.  

Pharmacist Ryan Douglas says often colds and allergies have similar symptoms, like a runny nose and sneezing.  "A cold, more often you'll see a little more fatigue, maybe some cough.  Typically with allergies it's more so a runny nose and sneezing." Douglas says typically colds will only last a week or two, while symptoms associated with allergies can last months.

Douglas notes if you tend to get a runny nose accompanied with sneezing around the same time every year, it is likely you have seasonal allergies and not a cold.

Other than medication, Douglas there are other steps to keep symptoms under control.  "Obviously avoiding the triggers that cause your allergies is the first step.  We can't live in a bubble, but it's good to keep the windows closed when you know there's a lot of pollen blowing around outside."  He adds the peak time when pollen is at its highest is between 5am and 10am each day, and it can also be high around mid-day when it's warm and windy.

Meanwhile, Douglas says when allergies are affecting your quality of life, whether it be work or sleep, he suggests seeking medical attention.  "If you have chronic sinus infections that are happening over and over, headache, you're constantly plugged up or getting ear infections, it's time to see your doctor."

When things like over the counter antihistamines and prescription nasal steroids aren't working, as a last resort Douglas says allergy sufferers can get allergy injections, or immunotherapy.

Douglas notes there are now 3 new sublingual immunotherapy tablet products available in Canada for preventing allergies.  He recommends talking to your Doctor about trying these before resorting to the allergy shots.