At Rose Urgent Care and Family Practice, we know that recent change in seasons can introduce a whole lot of new challenges for families in the Washington area. While our patients are personally focused on tackling the upcoming holidays and getting ready for the year’s end, our staff is always waiting to help them with all the incidental aches and pains that might slow them down. For our expert medical providers, one of the more common problems we see local men, women, and children encounter are seasonal allergies.
It’s no news that Washington residents have dealt with a lot of airborne irritants and air pollution in 2017. In addition to the recent wildfires in the region, many people are finding it harder to breathe due to the significantly high pollen count, a vexing issue that has only worsened over the last decade. Since late summer until present, allergy sufferers around the area have been in near-constant need of antihistamines and eye drops.
However, although allergies have been a common problem for so many of us as of late, not everyone is actually familiar with how allergy or asthma symptoms may appear. In fact, many men and women ignore some of the early signs of allergen irritation only to find themselves combating heavy symptoms days later that considerably affect work, rest, and play. As asthma and allergies experts, we at Rose Urgent Care and Family Practice believe that our patients should recognize allergy issues before they occur.
We recommend our patients observe the following standard allergy troubles.
Itchy Eyes and Puffy Eyelids
If you find yourself using all your willpower to avoid rubbing red and irritated eyes, then you are likely dealing with seasonal allergy symptoms. Triggered by histamines and air pollutants, the highly uncomfortable sensation of “itchy eyes” is actually a result of the body reacting to irritants by increasing blood flow around the eyes. This increased flow swells, congests, and even slightly obstructs the veins around your eyes and eyelids, causing a great deal of discomfort in the process.
To seek temporary yet immediate relief for this frustrating condition, soak a cloth or compress in cold water and then rest it over your eyes for around twenty to thirty minutes. Doing this will help reduce the swelling and slow the flow of blood to the inflamed area, which will also eliminate most of the itching and redness. For continued results, treat your eyes with antihistamine drops. As the eye drops work, they block histamine receptors in the eyes, preventing further irritation.
Constant Sneezing, Runny Noses, and Chest Congestion
Allergy sufferers also often recognize the arrival of spring or autumn as the times of year they find themselves tearing through tissue box after tissue box. The presence of allergic rhinitis (also known as hay fever) is triggered by an increased allergen count, leading to these very annoying symptoms. Allergy triggers may include tree pollen, grass or weed pollen, mold, animal dander, and other airborne irritants.
Aside from being a nuisance during waking hours, allergies often cause disruptions in our sleeping patterns and make us to become fatigued over time as our bodies combat seasonal irritation. Add into this potential chest congestion due to excess mucus production and it’s no wonder that many allergy-impacted adults find sleep very elusive this time of year. Fortunately, there are a number of personal habits that help you get a good night’s sleep while dealing with allergies.
Recognizing Asthma During Allergy Season
For many people, seasonal allergies are just a temporary nuisance, but men and women who are asthmatic know that this time of year can be quite dangerous. As airborne irritants become increasingly dense, the risk factor for an asthma attack grows with them. Since cold air can also act as a trigger for these attacks, asthma sufferers should actively work to avoid extended exposure to pollutants at present.
If you have not been professionally diagnosed as having asthma, then it’s important to recognize the symptoms of the condition before they arise. Generally, asthma symptoms often mirror seasonal allergy symptoms but are experienced at a higher intensity than most people. These symptoms may include difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, a raspy whistle while exhaling, and possibly even chest pain.
Asthma attacks occur when multiple symptoms manifest simultaneously and with severity. The result is a dangerous situation where-in proper breathing may become so challenging as to become temporarily impossible. Feelings of panic or anxiety often accompany these moments as well, which can make responding to these attacks incredibly difficult.
If you believe you might be at risk for asthma, then it is highly recommended that you seek professional consultation for diagnosis of the condition. Doing so will help you understand your odds of asthma attack and help you prepare for these attacks should they occur.
Let Us Help You Prepare for Allergy Season
As the air turns increasingly colder and airborne pollutants become more common, Rose Urgent Care and Family Practice is there to provide relief and response for allergy sufferers. Our Vancouver and Battle Ground, WA locations are staffed with experienced, courteous professional staff and services that can prepare you and your family for all the airborne allergen troubles that may arise this season. Contact us today and we can schedule you for a consultation.
We are currently accepting new patients!
