Spring allergies: Recognizing symptoms and finding relief

Here we go again! As another spring approaches, so does allergy season.

For many people, the constant sniffling, watery eyes, and other unpleasant symptoms associated with spring allergies put a real damper on this special time of year. Forget flower buds and blooming trees — spring allergy symptoms can make you so miserable that you’d rather stay indoors.

If you suffer from spring allergies, MD Now urgent care is here for you. Our physician-led team of healthcare professionals can diagnose and help relieve your allergy symptoms, so you can enjoy every spring day to the fullest.

What triggers spring allergies?

There are three main triggers for outdoor allergies — tree, grass, and weed pollen — with tree pollen causing the most trouble in the spring. Tree pollen is usually at its peak from March until mid-May. At the same time, grass and weed pollen also ramp up for summer. 

The flowers and trees that dot Florida’s famous landscape shed a tremendous amount of pollen every year. That’s one of many reasons why Florida is ranked among the worst states for seasonal allergies, with seven Florida cities listed on the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s “Top 20 Allergy Capitals” list. 

Have spring allergies never bothered you before? You’re still not out of the woods, so to speak. Even as an adult, you can lose your tolerance to pollen and other allergy triggers and begin to develop symptoms.

Spring allergy symptoms 

Like any health condition, it’s important to know what symptoms to watch for. The spring allergy symptoms you experience may vary depending on what allergen triggers your immune system, as well as the severity of your allergies.

Common spring allergy symptoms include:

• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Itchy nose, throat, or eyes
• Watery eyes
• Sinus pressure around your nose or cheeks
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Fatigue

To determine whether you have spring allergies vs. a cold or the flu, your MD Now provider will review your medical history and evaluate your current symptoms.

Labored breathing or wheezing could be a sign of a more serious allergic reaction (such as anaphylactic shock) or severe asthma, which both require emergency treatment. If you are suddenly unable to breathe, seek care immediately.

Ways to reduce your pollen exposure

Thankfully, there are many things you can do to limit your pollen exposure this spring and all year long: 

• Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are highest. 
• Also avoid mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, or other gardening chores that stir up allergens. If you must do them, wear a face mask.
• Stay inside on windy days when pollen spreads more easily. The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.
• Remove your clothes and bathe or shower after being outside to rinse off pollen from your skin and hair.
• Never hang laundry outside as pollen can stick to fabrics, especially towels and sheets.
• Always close your doors and windows at night.
• Use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to improve indoor air quality. 
• Check your local news for daily pollen levels in your area so you can plan accordingly.

Managing allergies is a big task for many, but MD Now can help you breathe easier — starting with effective allergy treatment.

Allergy treatment options at MD Now

Spring allergy sufferers have many treatment options to choose from, including non-prescription medications that often help relieve symptoms:

• Oral antihistamines such as cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), and loratadine (Claritin)
• Corticosteroid nasal sprays such as fluticasone propionate (Flonase), budesonide (Rhinocort), and triamcinolone (Nasacort)
• Oral decongestants such as cetirizine-pseudoephedrine (Zyrtec-D 12 Hour), ‘fexofenadine-pseudoephedrine (Allegra-D 12 Hour), and loratadine-pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D)

When home remedies are not enough, MD Now can prescribe allergy medications or provide you with a referral for allergy shots and/or testing. Your MD Now provider will explain which option(s) are best for you. 

Visit MD Now today for professional allergy relief

When you’ve got allergies, we’ve got answers! Visit one of MD Now’s 110+ locations today to learn more. You can walk in or use online Web Check-In® — just tell us when you want to come in, and you’ll receive a text message when it’s time for your visit. 

About MD Now® Urgent Care

MD Now Urgent Care is Florida’s largest urgent care operator with more than 110 state-of-the-art clinics conveniently located across Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Duval, Hendry, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Saint Lucie, Sarasota, Seminole, and Volusia Counties. MD Now Urgent Care’s physician-led team of healthcare professionals provides high-quality healthcare through a comprehensive lineup of urgent care, preventative healthcare, and occupational health services during convenient hours. MD Now Urgent Care is proud to be affiliated with HCA Florida Healthcare. For more information, visit the MD Now website.