Spring allergies and how to treat them

As we head out of a long winter and the first signs of spring start to arrive, so too do our allergies thanks to the increased amounts of pollen in the air from grasses, weeds and trees. If you’re sensitive to any of these, your body may mistake them as bacteria or parasites and mount an immune response in the form of a release of chemicals called histamines. These histamines trigger symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, palate, ears and throat, as well as sneezing.

Is it allergies – or a common cold?

Because both colds and seasonal allergies affect the upper respiratory tract, it’s easy to confuse the two. But if you have the sniffles, sneezing or a scratchy or sore throat, it’s essential to know the difference, as how you treat your symptoms will be very different:

• Allergies are caused by an overreaction of the immune system to an environmental trigger, such as pollen, dust, or mould.
• Colds are caused by viruses such as the rhinovirus that spread from person to person, often through coughing, sneezing or touching contaminated surfaces.

The best way to tell the difference is by looking at patterns and duration. Allergy symptoms can last for weeks or even months while allergens are present in the air, but usually only at certain times of the year (like spring). Colds, on the other hand, can happen any time of year. A cold usually only lasts around a week to 10 days and can also cause fever and body aches, which you won’t typically experience with an allergy. If you have these added symptoms, you’re most likely dealing with a virus, in which case rest and drinking plenty of fluids will help your immune system recover quickly.

How can you treat your allergies?

If you are suffering from allergies, how can you keep them in check this spring? Like almost everything to do with health, the best approach involves doing lots of small things applied consistently over time:

1. Find out what you’re allergic to

Before treating an allergy, first find out exactly what is causing the allergic reaction. Your GP or allergy specialist will be able to do this with a skin prick test, which involves applying tiny amounts of various allergens — such as pollen, grass or dust mites — to the skin and checking for a reaction. If you’re allergic, you’ll see a small raised bump, usually within 15–20 minutes.

2. Prevent the triggers

Once you’ve identified what’s causing your allergy, do your best to remove the triggers in your immediate environment. For example, you could use air filters or a purifier to catch particles like pollen, or keep windows closed during high pollen days. Humidifiers can also help relieve inflammation or irritation in your sinuses. Showering and washing your hair after spending time outdoors is recommended, as pollen can cling to skin and hair. Don’t forget about cleaning your pets, too, as pollen can collect on their fur. Finally, take your shoes off when you’re inside the house to limit bringing pollen indoors.

3. Keep your airways clear

When pollen is in the air, keeping your nasal passages clean can help minimise symptoms before they escalate. Try using a saline spray or nasal rinse regularly in the mornings or evenings to do this, and apply a small amount of Vaseline to the inside of your nostrils, which can help trap pollen particles and reduce irritation.

4. Consult your doctor about medication

While you may have put all these measures in place, it may not be enough to control your symptoms. Consult with your GP, who may be able to prescribe antihistamines, decongestants or nasal corticosteroid sprays to control inflammation. They may also recommend you start medication before spring arrives to make sure you have a build-up of defences before the pollen count starts increasing.

If you belong to a medical aid such as Fedhealth, these GP visits will be covered under their unlimited GP benefit, which means you can follow up with your doctor throughout your allergy journey without needing to pay for your consultations out of your pocket, even once your day-to-day savings have been depleted.

5. Consider your nutrition

Your diet can play an important role in reducing your allergy symptoms. Anti-inflammatory foods, such as turmeric, ginger, leafy greens and oily fish, can help calm the immune system’s overreaction. Some people find that local honey helps their body adapt more efficiently to local pollen exposure, and foods rich in vitamin C, like citrus fruits, strawberries, peppers and kiwi fruit, can act as natural antihistamines. At the same time, reducing your intake of refined sugar and processed foods may help lower the overall inflammation in your body.

Spring is a wonderful time of renewal and energy, but dealing with allergies at the same time can be highly disruptive to your sleep, concentration and overall wellbeing. In some cases, poorly managed allergies can even contribute to the development of asthma or chronic sinusitis. Here’s to keeping your health in check so that you can enjoy this time of year while feeling energised, positive and symptom-free!