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Your Fall Allergy Survival Kit

Are you suffering through itchy eyes, a runny nose, redness, and other allergy symptoms? Or are you anticipating muddling through similar symptoms when fall allergy season begins? Don’t wait to seek relief until you’re halfway through a nasty allergy season. There are things you can start doing now to prepare yourself for the upcoming fall allergy season.

In the fall, ragweed is the number one trigger for allergy symptoms and usually begins to release pollen in August. Many people believe that spring is the only time you need to worry about pollen allergies, but ragweed season can last until October. If you’re one of the 23 million Americans with allergic rhinitis you may want to begin preparing now for fall allergy season.

With fall allergy season on the horizon it’s time to start preparing your fall allergy survival kit. Not sure about what items to include in your kit? No problem.

Hudson Allergy has put together a quick list to get you started. (Tip: You may want to create multiple kits and stash them in different places, such as a drawer at work, in the bathroom cabinet at home, in a purse or backpack, or in your glove compartment.)

Here’s what we suggest you keep on hand during the fall allergy season:

Allergy medications
With allergies, the body’s immune system overreacts to harmless substances such as pollen or dust and responds to them as if they are a threat. Allergy medications can be helpful in curbing this response. Make sure that both your maintenance medications as well as emergency use medications are included in your kit.

Cough drops
In addition to your allergy medications, you should include cough drops in your fall allergy survival kit, particularly if you experience a cough or sore, scratchy throat due to postnasal drip. Many cough drops begin working in as little as 10 seconds to begin soothing your symptoms. A strong menthol cough drop may also help to alleviate some of your nasal congestion caused by allergies.

Eye drops
Do you often suffer from red, itchy, or watery eyes? Eye drops can offer fast-acting (though temporary) relief if your allergy medications aren’t working fast enough for your liking. However, it’s important to remember not to use over-the-counter eye drops for longer than 2 to 3 days as overuse can actually make your symptoms worse.

Tissues
Sneezing up a storm? Make sure to include a to-go pack of tissues in your allergy survival kit!

Hydrocortisone cream
If your allergies tend to cause skin rashes, you’ll be glad you included this in your survival kit. Hydrocortisone helps to reduce redness, swelling, and itching caused by allergy symptoms, eczema, and other irritations.

Nasal spray
Nasal sprays can bring relief if your allergies have caused a stuffy, itchy, or runny nose. An over-the-counter nasal spray might be what you need, or you may need to make an appointment with an allergist for something prescription strength. Remember not to overuse decongestant nasal sprays due to the rebound effect. When the rebound effect occurs, you may need increasingly higher doses of medication to keep your symptoms under control or your symptoms can become worse if you stop using the spray. If this occurs you may need to stop using the nasal spray to reverse this effect.

In addition to your fall allergy survival kit, you may want to add at least one digital tool to your arsenal: a pollen tracker app for your phone, tablet, or computer. A pollen tracking app will let you know the expected pollen count for your city so that you can prepare ahead of time on particularly bad days. This will allow you to double up on tissues or make plans to stay inside that day.

When you’ve finished putting your allergy kit together, be sure to make an appointment with your allergist to go over your allergy management plan for the fall allergy season. Don’t wait until symptoms are making you miserable!

If you suspect you have allergies or have questions about other resources available to people with allergies, give us a call. We can be reached at 212-729-1283 or send us an email at info@hudsonallergy.com.

LOCATIONS

Hudson Allergy is New York City’s best Allergy Practice with offices located in:

  • Tribeca

    49 Murray Street
    New York, NY 10007
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  • FLATIRON

    208 5th Avenue
    New York, NY 10010
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  • Grand Central

    485 Lexington Avenue
    New York, NY 10017
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