Allergy Washington, DC

Allergy Washington, DC

When you suffer from allergies, you need a Washington, DC allergy specialist you can trust. Hay fever is simply an allergic reaction to pollen. It can cause a wide variety of uncomfortable symptoms from sinus pressure to a runny nose. Hay fever can dull your smell and sense of taste and can even cause asthma for some sufferers. With hay fever, the allergens are substances in the air that enter your throat, nose, mouth, and lungs from breathing and through your eyes’ linings. Your body detects these allergens and thinks they are invading your body. Your body then overreacts by putting an excess of histamine in your system, which causes your nasal passages, eyelids, and sinuses to become inflamed. This is the start of hay fever symptoms. If you believe you have symptoms of hay fever, please reach out to a Washington, DC allergy doctor from Black & Kletz Allergy. 

Symptoms of Hay Fever

• Itchy eyes or ears
• Postnasal drip
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Sensation of plugged ears
• Stuffy nose and congestion
• Fatigue

These symptoms are meant to protect your body by trying to prevent the allergens from entering the rest of your system. This is what causes congestion in your sinuses.

There are two types of hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis:

Seasonal

Seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms occur in summer, early fall, and spring. Typically, they are caused by sensitivity to grass, weed, and tree pollens. Pollen is a small particle created and released by plants. It is transferred by wind to other plants and then fertilizes them so the plant can bloom in the future. 

Perennial

Perennial allergic rhinitis sufferers have symptoms all year-round. This type of allergy is caused by pet dander or hair, dust mites, mold, or cockroaches. Molds are fungus that do not have roots, stems, or leaves. Mold spores are in the air, similar to pollen, until they are able to find an environment in which they can grow. Molds do not have a specific season, as they are present year-round. Inside, molds tend to live where air is not able to circulate, moist locations, and places where food is found. 

When to Visit a Washington, DC Allergy Doctor for Hay Fever

Typically, hay fever can be treated with over-the-counter medicines. It is also recommended to avoid your allergens by staying inside during high pollen counts and keeping your house and yard clean. If avoiding your allergens or over-the-counter medicines do not help your symptoms, you may want to contact your doctor. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should contact your doctor:

• Symptoms that are not better with self-treatment
• Sore throat that worsens
• Earache
• Bloody, thick, or colored nasal secretion
• Fever that does not go away

Hay Fever Prevention With a Washington, DC Allergy Doctor Residents Trust

While you cannot prevent hay fever, you can learn to manage your symptoms and avoid interacting with your allergens when they are highest. It is important to follow the recommended treatments of your doctor. Medications can be extremely effective, however, they typically take multiple days to fully be effective. If you have seasonal allergies and the pollen is high in your area, it is recommended to use air conditioning and limit your time outside to minimize your exposure. For more information on hay fever, speak with a Washington, DC allergy doctor from Black & Kletz Allergy today.