What Can I Do About Recurrent Sinusitis?
Whether you’re dealing with brief, recurrent bouts of sinusitis or the condition is chronic, it’s a good idea to rule out nasal allergies. Pesky allergies may be behind your symptoms, and treatment can help!
Our Top Tips for Staying on Top of Your Seasonal Allergies This Spring
Although spring is a season of renewal, people living with allergies or asthma may find that the arrival of the season triggers symptoms that make it hard to enjoy the season.
Even though controlling these symptoms might seem difficult, you can take steps to reduce the impact allergies have on your daily life. Effectively getting your allergies under control starts with a visit to an allergy specialist.
At Riviera Allergy Medical Center, Dr. Ulrike Ziegner specializes in diagnosing and managing allergic conditions, including seasonal allergies (hay fever). It’s possible to conquer spring allergies. Explore some of our tips for getting on the winning side of the spring allergy battle.
Get an official diagnosis
Allergies are sneaky in that symptoms may masquerade as other conditions. Before implementing any treatment strategy, it’s important to obtain an official diagnosis. Pollen is the primary culprit behind spring allergies.
Dr. Ziegner can perform allergy testing to determine if you are indeed allergic to pollen. Once you have an accurate diagnosis, Dr. Ziegner discusses the most appropriate approach to getting your allergies under control.
Reduce allergens in your home
As pollen floats in the air, it easily settles on your clothing and gets carried into your home. It can also enter the home through open windows. Try these tips to allergen-proof your home:
Optimize air quality
Invest in a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifier, which is specifically designed to capture and filter out up to 99.97% of airborne particles, including pollen, dust mites, and pet dander.
Placing air purifiers in key areas, particularly bedrooms and living spaces, can significantly improve indoor air quality. Additionally, ensure that your HVAC system is equipped with HEPA filters and that they’re changed regularly according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Minimize indoor humidity
Mold and dust mites thrive in high-humidity environments, contributing to indoor allergens. Try using a dehumidifier to maintain indoor humidity at 30%-50%. This creates a less hospitable condition for allergens.
Regularly check and clean areas prone to dampness, such as bathrooms and basements, to prevent mold growth.
Implement a no-shoes policy
Enforce a no-shoes policy indoors to prevent tracking in pollen, dirt, and other outdoor allergens. Consider placing a shoe rack or storage bench near entryways to encourage compliance from household members and guests.
Using doormats inside and outside entry doors can prevent tracking pollen into your home.
Prioritize regular cleaning
Frequent dusting, vacuuming, and washing can drastically reduce allergens in your home. Using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter can effectively capture fine particles from carpets and curtains.
Washing bedding, curtains, and other fabrics in hot water every week kills dust mites and removes accumulated pollen. For surfaces, opt for damp cleaning methods rather than dry dusting to prevent allergens from becoming airborne.
Leverage technology
Several mobile applications are designed to provide real-time pollen forecasts and allergy alerts. By entering your location, these apps inform you of the pollen count in your area, allowing you to plan your outdoor activities accordingly.
Some apps also offer personalized allergy management tips and track your symptoms, helping you identify patterns and triggers.
Smart home technology can significantly reduce indoor allergens. Air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters can be integrated into your home’s smart system, allowing for automatic adjustments based on the indoor air quality.
Smart thermostats can help maintain optimal humidity levels, preventing the indoor air from becoming too dry or too humid, conditions that can exacerbate allergy symptoms.
Allergy shots
For those in Southern California who are grappling with persistent seasonal allergies, immunotherapy may provide long-term relief.
Allergy shots involve regular injections of a small amount of the specific allergens that trigger your reactions. Initially, injections are given frequently, usually once or twice a week.
Over time, the dosage is increased, and the frequency is reduced. This gradual process, which typically spans 3-5 years, helps build up your tolerance to the allergens, reducing the severity of your allergic reactions.
Consult with an allergist
Springtime doesn’t have to feel miserable. Dr. Ziegner helps you gain freedom from allergy symptoms so you can do more of what you enjoy. To learn more and to request an appointment, call our Redondo Beach, California, office today!
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