Whether it’s a runny nose, a persistent cough, or a serious case of sniffles, allergies always seem to find a way to make our lives harder when the seasons change. One day you’re walking in the park and the next thing you know, you’ve entered a neverending sneeze marathon. 

There’s never a convenient time to deal with seasonal allergies, but there are surprisingly effective ways to help combat those pesky symptoms whenever they pop up.

From making changes to your A/C to prioritizing hydration, there are all sorts of things that you can do to relieve your symptoms. Read on to learn more from your McAllen ENTs. If your symptoms persist or get worse, reach out to your sinus specialist for help.

① Keep Your Exposure To A Minimum

This one might seem like a no-brainer, but it can be easy to forget how many elements can impact your allergies throughout your day. Stay inside on especially windy days and steer clear of any outdoor work that can start your sinuses running.

Even if you’re staying inside, be sure to close your windows completely, especially if the pollen count is high that day. You want to maintain clean air in your personal space and not leave any room for outside allergens to work their way in.

② Clean Out Your Sinuses

For quick congestion relief, use a gentle nasal spray to effectively clean out mucus buildup and irritants from your nasal passages. If you have thicker buildup, saline spray is a major game-changer. 

If you don’t have saline or any other nasal spray on hand, take a warm shower and breathe in the steam. This will gently loosen up any stubborn debris and work to relieve persistent sinus pressure. Laying a warm compress on your face afterward will also help to open up your sinuses.

③ Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

The recommendation to drink plenty of fluids when you’re feeling under the weather is a common one, but for good reason. Staying hydrated not only flushes toxins out of the body but also works to combat high histamine levels. These histamines would otherwise trigger allergy-like symptoms. 

Be as consistent as you can with your water intake. Challenge yourself to drink plenty of water even after allergy season. To boost your cells’ absorption levels and overall bodily functions, load up on essential electrolytes! These can be found in store-bought drinks like Pedialyte or Gatorade.

④ Reduce Indoor Allergens

While staying inside is beneficial to keeping allergy triggers at bay, it can come with its own side effects. From dust mites to pet dander, your indoor air can be permeated with invisible allergens. The good news is that these allergens can be dramatically reduced.

Make it a point to change out your air filters about every 90 days. This helps ensure that you have clearer air to breath. Also, be sure to take the time to clean your space from the ground up. Start with a thorough vacuum or sweep, then wipe down surfaces (especially fan blades) with a multi surface cleaner. Decluttering in general is also key to cutting out places for dust to gather. 

⑤ See Your ENT If Symptoms Intensify

If you’re a pro at seasonal allergies, you can probably gauge when symptoms seem off-balance. If your allergies don’t get any better or get worse, consider making an appointment with your ENT. This can help you ensure that any issues are caught before they can become more severe and harder to treat.

Your local ear, nose and throat specialists at the Glatz Group can help you get through this season by alleviating your allergy symptoms or other sinus issues. Reach out to us today for a consultation, and get one step closer to taking control of your seasonal allergies.

If you’re looking for a board-certified Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist, Dr. Glatz is ready to help you get the sinus relief you need.

Make Your Appointment Today!