With allergy season upon us, millions of people are looking for the best ways to relieve their allergy symptoms. Timing and the right medication are key to effective allergy management. Experts say timing and proper medication selection are critical to relieving symptoms. Pollen counts vary significantly during the day, but levels are generally lowest before 4 a.m. and after noon. Knowing these patterns can help you plan the best times to be outdoors and schedule your medication appropriately.
According to clinical allergist Dr. Trisha S. Ray, these are the most dangerous times in the year for allergy sufferers. She practices and teaches on the faculty at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School. Pollen counts are highest right around midday, so that’s the worst time to be outside,” she says. This data highlights the importance of people planning ahead and changing their routine when pollen is at its worst.
Though unique in their modes of action, antihistamines have become the dominant class for relieving allergy symptoms. These drugs work quickly too, typically within one to two hours after taking. But people need to pay attention to which antihistamine they take. First-generation antihistamines, like Benadryl, are notorious for their sedative effects and can make you drowsy. Conversely, second-generation antihistamines such as cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), and levocetirizine (Xyzal) have a lower propensity to cause drowsiness.
Taking antihistamines strategically can enhance their effectiveness. Dr. Ray advises, “If you’re scatter-brained in the morning, maybe take them at night – keep them on the nightstand or the kitchen counter or wherever you’re going to have the easiest access.” This kind of treatment helps to better control symptoms over the course of the day.
Along with oral medications, nasal sprays are one of the most widely used treatments for allergic rhinitis. Users should be aware that it can take a week to ten days to see positive results from nasal sprays. Medical experts recommend beginning these sprays at least a week in advance of pollen season to realize their full potential.
For allergy sufferers, timing the medicine is important. Timing the daily routine is key. Evening showers help so much that they become a daily necessary ritual. One, it cleans off the pollen that has accumulated on your skin and hair all day long.
Physical activity has been shown to both help prevent the development of, as well as assist in managing, allergic symptoms. And regular resistance exercise has been associated with positive changes in allergic symptoms and inflammatory markers. So using movement as a regular part of daily life can help reap added benefits.
Another area of allergy management that needs more focus is nutrition. Other research has found that Vitamin D supplementation may relieve allergic responses. We definitely need further research to corroborate these results. People are encouraged to talk to their healthcare providers before starting or stopping any dietary supplement.
Correct technique when using nasal sprays will also affect how well the medication works. Proper use can help alleviate symptoms and improve the overall control of allergic conditions.
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