Seasonal allergies can be frustrating enough. Pollen from grass, weeds, and trees can result in all manner of uncomfortable symptoms in specific seasons. However, we should be sparing a thought for anyone experiencing year-round allergies. Not only can they be affected by the same seasonal allergens, but also allergens that are present year-round. Whether you or someone you know is living with year-round allergies, you might find management techniques and general helpful advice below.
What Are Year-Round Allergies?
Most people have no trouble receiving a diagnosis for year-round allergies. Also known as perennial allergies, they affect people year-round, not just when pollen levels are high. Alongside being allergic to tree, grass, and weed pollen, you might react to other everyday indoor and outdoor allergens, such as mold, pet dander, and dust mites. Many people with perennial allergies, a form of allergic rhinitis, experience the following:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Itchy eyes
- Watery eyes
- Itchy mouth
- Itchy throat
The severity of these symptoms can often depend on the allergen and its volume. For example, some people might experience severe reactions in winter when mold is sometimes more abundant.
Visit An Allergist
When you continually combat allergy-related symptoms, consider a trip to an allergist. Allergists are medical practitioners specializing in allergy diagnosis and treatment. Depending on your presenting symptoms and level of discomfort, allergists might do the following things:
- Perform allergy testing to identify the problematic allergens
- Offer prevention education to learn how to avoid triggers
- Prescribe medication to treat allergies
- Offer immunotherapy in the form of shots or tablets
Preventative Measures for Year-Round Allergies
Medication and allergy shots can be excellent ways to manage uncomfortable symptoms associated with year-round allergies. However, you might be able to prevent some of those symptoms in the first place. Allergists typically provide information on preventative actions you can take to limit your exposure. These actions can then result in symptom reduction.
Remove Dust-Collecting Items
You might enjoy having your favorite ornaments and books on display, but a dust allergy might mean you must make sacrifices. Sometimes, people experience a reduction in their allergy symptoms by removing anything that can collect dust in their homes. Books, magazines, and ornaments can all be havens for dust.
Replace Curtains With Blinds
The average person won’t give their curtains much thought when cleaning their homes. However, even with regular cleaning, curtains can accumulate dust mites and other allergens. Rather than washing your curtains frequently, consider replacing them with blinds. Blinds featuring wipe-down material can be much cleaner while potentially keeping your allergy symptoms at bay.
Make Housecleaning Your Priority
Surveys have revealed that one in six Americans won’t clean their homes for at least a month. One in 10 even admitted to not cleaning their homes for six months. When you experience year-round allergies, having a clean home is important.
At the very least, you might prioritize dusting, vacuuming, and mopping. These tasks can keep dust levels to a minimum. If you can’t find time for regular cleaning, outsource household chores to a cleaning company.
Use Air Conditioners and Dehumidifiers
Excellent air quality is important when you have allergies. The higher the indoor humidity levels, the more dust mites can be present. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers might be able to help. Ensure these feature high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to remove as many harmful particles from the air as possible.
Limit Pet Movement
A pet dander allergy means you’re allergic to the protein in animal dander, saliva, and urine. However, fur, hair, and feathers can collect these allergens and carry others, like pollen and dust mites. Not everyone knows they have a pet dander allergy until they own pets. By then, you can grow attached to your pets and prefer not to rehome them.
If rehoming your pet is not an option, consider limiting their movement in your home. This action might improve your comfort levels. Keep them out of bedrooms and assign them a dedicated bed in a shared space. You can also wash your pet frequently and see if that makes a difference.
Treatment Options for Year-Round Allergies
Treatment options for year-round allergies can depend on allergy severity, what they are, and your allergist. They might also recommend multiple treatment options to manage numerous symptoms simultaneously. Corticosteroid nasal sprays and nasal-metered dose inhalers may treat symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and nasal passage swelling. Your allergist might also recommend taking corticosteroid nasal sprays with antihistamines.
Sometimes, antihistamine-decongestant combinations in single tablet form can be a recommendation. However, medical professionals don’t recommend this treatment option for everyone. It may not be suitable for people with high blood pressure, young children, or those using specific antidepressants.
Allergen Immunotherapy
Over-the-counter and prescribed medications help many people manage their seasonal and perennial allergies. However, allergen immunotherapy can sometimes be an option worth exploring. Immunotherapy describes building up your tolerance to specific allergens. These are introduced in small doses over time, normally via injection or under the tongue.
Allergen immunotherapy aims to help your body get used to an allergen being around. With time, your body might develop immunity or, at least, tolerance. Immunotherapy is about playing the long game. You won’t notice symptom changes overnight. Many people exploring this option see improvements within their first year of treatment. Those improvements can continue over multiple years.
When to See an Allergist
It’s easy to think that you should just put up with allergy symptoms. The occasional case of itchy eyes or a runny nose can be manageable. Still, not all allergy symptoms are. It can be important to seek professional help when:
- Your symptoms last several months
- Your allergies cause breathing difficulties and chronic sinus infections
- Over-the-counter medications aren’t working
- Your everyday activities are affected
- You’re often short of breath
- You’ve been diagnosed with asthma
- You’re experiencing serious asthma warning signs
- Your quality of life has decreased
Year-round allergies can be challenging to manage, especially when combating many symptoms simultaneously. Now that you’re well-informed about perennial allergies and treatments, you can take steps to regain control of your health.
