Ragweed is Blooming!
Are your eyes itching a little? Is your nose running and your throat a little scratchy? Do you have a tickly cough? If so you may be suffering from Ragweed Allergy. The Ragweed plant is currently in full bloom and its pollen is blowing in the wind. In Elk River the end of July the pollen level was 6.7. August 24 it was 11. Pollen levels between 9.7 and 12.0 tend to effect even people with mild Ragweed allergy. The bad news is that Ragweed can bloom until October. For Ragweed Pollen levels in our area, click on the following link: http://www.pollen.com/allergy-forecast.asp?zip=55330
If you are having allergy symptoms there are several things that you can do:
Reduce your exposure to the pollen: Keep your air conditioning on and windows closed during ragweed season. Take a shower after spending time outside so that you aren’t rubbing your face in a pillow that is covered with pollen that was on your skin and in your hair. Try to stay indoors from 10am to 4pm when pollen levels are the highest. Don’t hang sheets or clothing outside to dry – pollen can settle on them.
Try a daily saline nasal flush. Neti Pots or Squeeze bottles can be used to flush your sinuses with a mild salt water solution to help keep mucous membranes moist and to flush out irritating pollen from your sinuses. The water that you use to mix the saline solution must be sterile (boiled) or distilled so that you aren’t squirting bacteria or other microbes into your nose.
Antihistamines help your body react less to the pollen in the air. They work best when you begin taking them regularly before your allergies start rather than waiting until your eyes are itching and nose is running. We are currently recommending Fexofenadine (Allegra) and Cetirizine (Zyrtec). They are effective in treating seasonal allergies and tend to cause less drowsiness during the day. If your symptoms have already started, antihistamines will still work to decrease future symptoms from occurring but don’t immediately stop the symptoms that you are having. Adding a decongestant, if appropriate for you, for a few days usually helps until the antihistamine starts to work.
Corticosteroid Nasal Spray: If you have significant nasal allergy symptoms, talk to your Doctor and discuss using a Corticosteroid Nasal Spray like Fluticasone. This is used regularly during allergy season. It makes your sinus passages react less to the allergens in the air. It helps to reduce sinus drainage into your lungs and can also help reduce wheezing and coughing during allergy season. And unlike antihistamines, corticosteroids don’t cause drowsiness or irritability.
If you are having allergy symptoms there are several things that you can do:
Reduce your exposure to the pollen: Keep your air conditioning on and windows closed during ragweed season. Take a shower after spending time outside so that you aren’t rubbing your face in a pillow that is covered with pollen that was on your skin and in your hair. Try to stay indoors from 10am to 4pm when pollen levels are the highest. Don’t hang sheets or clothing outside to dry – pollen can settle on them.
Try a daily saline nasal flush. Neti Pots or Squeeze bottles can be used to flush your sinuses with a mild salt water solution to help keep mucous membranes moist and to flush out irritating pollen from your sinuses. The water that you use to mix the saline solution must be sterile (boiled) or distilled so that you aren’t squirting bacteria or other microbes into your nose.
Antihistamines help your body react less to the pollen in the air. They work best when you begin taking them regularly before your allergies start rather than waiting until your eyes are itching and nose is running. We are currently recommending Fexofenadine (Allegra) and Cetirizine (Zyrtec). They are effective in treating seasonal allergies and tend to cause less drowsiness during the day. If your symptoms have already started, antihistamines will still work to decrease future symptoms from occurring but don’t immediately stop the symptoms that you are having. Adding a decongestant, if appropriate for you, for a few days usually helps until the antihistamine starts to work.
Corticosteroid Nasal Spray: If you have significant nasal allergy symptoms, talk to your Doctor and discuss using a Corticosteroid Nasal Spray like Fluticasone. This is used regularly during allergy season. It makes your sinus passages react less to the allergens in the air. It helps to reduce sinus drainage into your lungs and can also help reduce wheezing and coughing during allergy season. And unlike antihistamines, corticosteroids don’t cause drowsiness or irritability.
Our Pharmacists are Medication Specialists and are happy to answer your medication questions. We can help you pick out over the counter medications that best meet your allergy needs or contact your Doctor if a prescription medication is the best option for you.
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