Sneezing and sniffling is all too common during the springtime. Millions of Americans suffer with allergy symptoms as it begins to warm up, but why?

Our AFC Urgent Care Boulder team explains below, so keep reading!

What Are the Cause of Spring Allergies?

Pollen is the most common culprit. As trees, grasses, flowers and weeds begin to bloom, pollen is abundant in the air. When your immune system experiences it, it mistakenly identifies it as a threat and produces histamines to prevent it from harming you. In doing so, it causes inflammation of the nose, chest or throat.

There are a couple more common causes of spring allergies, and we’ve listed them below.

Most Common Spring Allergy Causes

• Tree pollen. This is perhaps the most common cause of spring allergy symptoms, and oftentimes birch, cedar, hickory and walnut trees are to blame.
• Grass pollen. There are lots of different types of grasses out there, but only a small number of grasses can be blamed for causing allergy symptoms. Timothy grass, Bermuda grass and Kentucky Blue Grass are the most common culprits.
• Mold. This is an underrated allergen, as it thrives in damp, moist environments. Spring is generally a wet season, so mold is more prevalent than you might think. Also, like trees, it lies dormant until the weather starts to warm back up.
• Dust mites. These are common indoor allergens, and many are affected by them without even realizing it. Dust mites can be found in many places around the house, like on furniture, carpets and bedding.

How Can I Ease My Allergy Symptoms?

The best thing you can do is to limit your exposure. If pollen is what affects you the most, spend less time outside when the pollen count is high and change clothes and shower as soon as you enter the house.

Antihistamines and nosesprays are also available over-the-counter to help you manage your allergy symptoms. Below are some more simple techniques to deal with allergies so you can enjoy the lovely spring weather.

Ways to Reduce Spring Allergy Symptoms

• If you are dealing with lots of congestion, consider rinsing your sinuses with saline solution. This will flush out mucus and allergens from your nose.
• Keep indoor air clean. You can do this by using a dehumidifier and vacuuming regularly. This will reduce the amount of harmful allergens that make their way inside the home. Running your air-conditioner also helps.
• Know when to take your allergy medicines. If you typically experience bad allergies around the same time each year, start taking your nose sprays or OTC antihistamines about two weeks before allergy season starts, then keep taking them regularly throughout your allergy season.

If you need allergy relief, don’t hesitate to stop by today! Our AFC team can provide the non-emergency care you need.