Ways to help reduce seasonal and other allergy symptoms

April showers bring May flowers — and, for some, a stuffy, itchy nose. Seasonal allergies occur in the spring, summer and fall when pollen is released into the air. It’s common to have seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis. About 81 million people in the United States have them.

Typically, seasonal allergies cause mild or moderate symptoms. However, some people who are highly allergic to pollen may have more severe symptoms. But even if your symptoms are on the mild side, allergy season can still be uncomfortable.

Here’s how to reduce exposure to allergens you’re sensitive to, plus over-the-counter medications that can help allergy symptoms become easier to deal with.

In this article:

Lower your exposure to allergy triggers

It’s not always possible to avoid allergy triggers. But many people with seasonal allergies can help prevent symptoms with a few strategies. Here are a few ways to help protect yourself:

Check pollen levels

Pollen is one of the biggest seasonal allergy culprits. This powdery substance is created by plants like grass and trees. When it enters the air, it can irritate your eyes, nose and lungs.

If you’re sensitive to pollen, you can check daily levels during pollen season. Pollen counts are considered low, medium or high. You can find this information on your weather app or local TV channel.

Knowing the air quality can help you prepare for the day ahead. If you understand how severe your symptoms might be, you can stay inside and/or consider taking medication on high-pollen days.

Protect yourself from pollen 

If pollen levels are high, take extra steps to avoid it. That might include:

• Closing windows in your home and car
• Avoiding window fans, which pull pollen inside
• Staying indoors when pollen levels are highest — your local weather app can help you determine when the worst times will be on any particular day
• Skipping outdoor activities like gardening or mowing your lawn
• Taking a shower when you come inside since pollen can stick to hair and clothes
• Wearing sunglasses outside

According to double board-certified allergist and immunologist Sairaman Nagarajan, MD, MPH, “In the spring, generally speaking, pollen counts are highest in the early evening. As we progress into summer and early fall, pollen counts are highest mid-morning. Identifying pollen windows can effectively reduce exposure, and thereby, symptoms.”

Reduce allergens at home

Staying inside is often helpful if you have seasonal allergies. But some people are sensitive to indoor allergens like dust mites, cockroaches, pet dander and mold.

Dust allergies are a little different from seasonal allergies, but there can be overlap. For example, pollen can get inside and become part of household dust. If you have indoor allergies, try to:

• Vacuum regularly
• Keep humidity levels at or below 50%
• Use central air conditioning in the spring and fall  instead of opening the windows
• Consider a HEPA filter, as they are highly recommended for those with seasonal allergic rhinitis
• Minimize the number of carpets in your home — they can hold indoor allergens
• Wash sheets, blankets and pillowcases in hot water
• Dust with a damp mop (a dry one can stir allergens into the air)

Consider allergy medicine that can help reduce symptoms

Avoiding allergens can help. But, your health care provider may also recommend allergy medication. Many medicines are available over-the-counter — and while they won’t eliminate allergies entirely, they can help address the symptoms you’re experiencing.

Nasal steroid sprays

If seasonal allergies are making you stuffy, consider nasal steroid sprays. These sprays help reduce inflammation in the nasal canal. They are typically used once or twice a day, and they tend to have few side effects, such as stinging of the nose or dry nasal passages, which may lead to minor nosebleeds.

Nasal steroid sprays can be prescribed, but there are over-the-counter options, like Flonase Non-Drowsy 24HR Allergy Relief Spray, Nasacort 24HR Non-Drowsy Multi-Symptom Allergy Nasal Spray and CVS Health Budesonide Allergy Nasal Spray.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are great options for itching in the nose and eyes and sneezing, and can also help combat nasal congestion, too. These medications are easy to take. You can find pills, chewable tablets, oral liquids, and nasal sprays.

Consider antihistamine products such as  Zyrtec 24HR Allergy Relief Tablets, Claritin 24HR Non Drowsy Allergy Relief Tablets and Allegra Allergy 24HR Non Drowsy Antihistamine Gelcaps or Zyrtec Children's Allergy Relief Liquid.

Sometimes, antihistamines may make you sleepy. If you’ll be taking them during the day, look out for ones labeled “non-drowsy.”

OTC oral decongestants

Decongestants are sold as pills, liquids, nasal sprays, or drops. They help thin the lining of your nasal passages to ease nasal congestion. Many brands are available without a prescription.

For example,  consider an oral decongestant like CVS Health 12HR Non Drowsy, Maximum Strength Nasal Decongestant.

These medications should be taken for just a few days. If you still feel like you need a decongestant after three days, let your health care provider know. It is also especially important to consult with a health care provider before using decongestants if you have high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, glaucoma, thyroid disease, or trouble urinating.

Sinus rinse

Allergens like pollen can linger in your nasal passages. Some people find sinus rinses, also called neti pots or nasal irrigation devices, helpful.

Consider sinus rinse products like NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit or CVS Health Allergy Relief Neti Pot Sinus Wash System.

These products gently loosen mucus and wash pollen out of your nose. But they should only be used with distilled or sterile water. Tap water isn’t safe to use with a nasal rinse.

Treatments for severe allergies

If you have severe allergies, consult with your health care provider on what you can do to help relieve your symptoms.

When to see a health care provider for help with allergy symptoms

Over-the-counter allergy medications work for many people. But if your symptoms don’t improve, let your health care provider know. They might recommend prescription medication instead.

It's especially important for people with seasonal asthma attacks to see a health care provider if they have seasonal allergies since asthma symptoms are known to potentially worsen due to allergies. Let your health care provider know, too, if you have any eye symptoms such as redness and itching, blurred vision or light sensitivity, since these symptoms may be allergy-induced or related to a more serious condition.

Allergy testing may also be helpful if your symptoms are moderate or severe. These tests are performed at a health care provider’s office and can include a skin prick or blood test. When you know your triggers, you can target them more effectively.

Some people with seasonal allergies consider immunotherapy. While allergy medications improve symptoms, immunotherapy teaches your body to tolerate allergens. Over time, your immune response becomes less sensitive to them.

Immunotherapy can be given as allergy shots or tablets (sublingual immunotherapy) that dissolve under the tongue. These treatments offer long-term improvement for some people. But they’re not as easy to take as over-the-counter medications and require a long-term commitment of several years for them to be fully effective.

Frequently asked questions

What are common triggers for seasonal allergies?

Allergy season starts when certain plants pollinate and release a dust-like substance called pollen into the air. Pollen is the primary trigger for seasonal allergies. Some of the most common allergens include:

Trees (such as alder, aspen, birch, cedar, elm, maple, poplar and walnut)

Weeds (think ragweed, burning bush, mugwort, pigweed, sagebrush)

Grass (common types include Bermuda, Johnson and Timothy)

Early spring is the start of allergy season, and spring allergies tend to be caused by tree pollen. Late spring and early summer bring grass pollen allergies. Weed pollen becomes active in late summer to early fall.

How can I identify the cause of my allergies?

Sometimes, it’s obvious what’s causing seasonal allergy symptoms. For example, if you get a runny nose whenever you mow your lawn in late spring, you can guess that grass pollen is to blame.

But often, people with seasonal allergies need a health care provider’s guidance to figure out what, exactly, is making them suffer. An allergy specialist will likely do a skin prick test (or SPT), placing a small drop of allergens on your skin. They’ll then prick the surface to see if you develop skin irritation.

Other times, your provider might recommend a blood test called Specific IgE. This checks for antibodies that suggest your body produces a reaction to allergens.

How do people normally manage seasonal allergy symptoms?

Most people are able to manage seasonal allergy symptoms by limiting exposure to triggers (such as by staying inside on high-pollen days) and taking over-the-counter medications. If you’re experiencing red, inflamed eyes from allergies, eye drops can also help.

If your allergies are severe or don’t improve with over-the-counter options, let your health care provider know. Sometimes, prescription allergy medications may be in order. Immunotherapy, which teaches your immune system to tolerate allergens over time with allergy shots or tablets, is an option for some people who have multiple or severe allergies.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.