March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 49 F

Pollen Hits High in Maryland

 

Pollen counts are hitting a high this week here in Annapolis and around Maryland. Runny nose, sneezy and itchy eyes? Experts are predicting “a particularly robust spring allergy season.” Find out what you can do.

According to the Washington Post (April 21, 2016): “Misery can be measured in many ways — waiting rooms or pollen tallies — but by all accounts the allergy-afflicted…are hurting badly this spring.” According to Weather.com, on Tuesday, Washington ranked as seventh and Baltimore as third in the entire US for hot spots of pollen.

About 25% of us have allergies. If you get a “cold” around the same time every year, you probably have some component of allergies.

What Can You Do?

Here are some basic tricks to minimize how much allergy-causing pollens reach your eyes and nose. Here at Evolve Medical, we recommend these 11 simple measures:

  1. Keep doors and windows closed.
  2. “Recirculate” the air in your car
  3. Take shoes off when you get home–don’t track pollen throughout the house.
  4. Changes clothes and shower when you get home (if you’ve been outside) to wash off all pollen.
  5. Wash your hands more often
  6. Keep pets clean. Dogs are natural duster and will bring a lot of pollen in the house.
  7. Mold allergy? Consider a dehumidifier. Keeping the humidity level under 50% in the main living areas can really help.
  8. Set indoor temps between 60-70 degrees
  9. Clean your house more often during the worst allergy season
  10. Rinse your nose with saline with either nasal irrigation 2 or 3 times per day
  11. Monitor the allergy forecast to help plan your day: www.pollen.com. 

Allergy Medications

Nasal Steroids

If the above steps do not completely control your allergies, the next step is to consider medication. At Evolve, we recommend starting with Nasacort steroid nasal spray. Over the last 20 years, these sprays have been proven to be very safe and the steroid itself stays just on the inside of your nose (not in your blood stream). We prefer Nasacort over Flonase only because the former is not scented.

When using nasal steroids, remember these important tips from the NIH:

  • Wash your hands well.
  • Gently blow your nose to clear the passageway.
  • Shake the container several times.
  • Keep your head upright. Do not tilt your head back.
  • Breathe out.
  • Block one nostril with your finger.
  • Insert the nasal applicator into the other nostril.
  • Aim the spray toward the outer wall of the nostril.
  • Inhale slowly through the nose and press the spray applicator.
  • Breathe out and repeat to apply the prescribed number of sprays.

Remember: nasal steroid sprays do NOT work day to day. You must use them daily for a week or more so begin to see the maximum benefits.

Antihistamines

Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) is the grand-daddy of all the antihistamines but it is also the most sedating (it is the active ingredient in nearly every “PM” product like Tylenol PM. Not only that, but you can actually get a DUI in Maryland if attempting to drive after taking Benadryl. For a list of the 8 families of medicines that can cause one to drive impaired, see this article. 

Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec are all considered safer options and make most people less sleepy. At Evolve Medical, we recommend avoiding the first generation anti-histamines (above) and choosing one of these three anti-histamines.

Still have questions or would like to see a doctor? Call Evolve Medical Clinics, off Forest Drive, at 844-322-4222 or schedule on-line here. 

If you find these health and wellness updates helpful, follow Evolve on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Google+.

evolve medical clinics urgent care and primary care serves Annapolis, Edgewater, Arnold, Severna Park, Pasadena, Glen Burnie, Davidsonville, Crofton, Bowie and Gambrills
Evolve Medical Clinics urgent care and primary care serves Annapolis, Edgewater, Arnold, Severna Park, Pasadena, Glen Burnie, Davidsonville, Crofton, Bowie and Gambrills
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