Managing Hay Fever in Murray & West Jordan, UT
If you have symptoms like congestion and sneezing without a viral infection, they might come from allergies and hay fever. At Allergy Associates of Utah in Murray and West Jordan, Utah, allergy specialists Andrew Smith, MD, MS, and Tara Sarin, MD, provide testing and treatment for allergies of all varieties, including airborne substances like pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. To find out more about allergies and hay fever, call your nearest Allergy Associates of Utah location or book an appointment online today.
What are allergies?
Allergies stem from a defect in your immune system. Under normal circumstances, your immune system fights viruses, bacterial infections, and other pathogens that don’t belong in your body. With allergies, your immune system reacts similarly to normal substances that won’t harm you or make you sick.
This reaction happens when your immune system creates antibodies that identify a particular substance as being harmful, even if it isn’t. The symptoms of allergies vary based on the type of allergen. For instance, a food allergy causes different symptoms from allergic rhinitis or hay fever.
Without management, allergies can cause or contribute to more severe health complications. With an allergy, you’re more likely to develop asthma than an individual without allergies. Asthma makes it hard for you to breathe clearly, and your allergy can lead to the constriction of your airways.
What is hay fever?
Hay fever is also called allergic rhinitis and includes allergies to pollen, dust mites, and pet dander. These allergens are airborne in indoor and outdoor spaces and cause a distinct set of symptoms. With hay fever, you might experience:
- Sneezing
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy eyes
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Itchy nose
- Headaches
- Fatigue
Hay fever has similar symptoms to the common cold and other viral infections, but the treatments are very different. Over time, unmanaged hay fever symptoms can interfere with your sleep and your concentration at work. At Allergy Associates of Utah, Dr. Smith and Dr. Sarin can help you identify the airborne substance causing your symptoms and find a way to manage them.
How can I manage my allergies and hay fever?
Allergy Associates of Utah specializes in the management of all allergies, including hay fever. The first step is to find the exact cause of your allergies with allergy testing like skin tests, blood tests, and elimination diets to isolate your allergen.
One of the most effective ways to treat an allergy is to avoid the allergen. Of course, for hay fever, it can be difficult or impossible to avoid airborne allergens like pollen. To treat your allergy, Dr. Smith and Dr. Sarin might recommend:
- Nasal corticosteroids
- Oral corticosteroids
- Decongestant medications
- Antihistamines
- Immunotherapy with allergy shots
Beyond clinical treatment, Dr. Smith and Dr. Sarin recommend washing your sheets regularly, keeping your windows closed, and wearing a mask while doing yard work to minimize allergic reactions to airborne substances in your environment.
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