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How To Beat Seasonal Allergies

It’s almost that time of year again. As the weather finally warms up and we turn the corner from winter to spring, it also means allergy season is just ahead. For the 30% of adults and 40% of children in the United States who suffer from seasonal allergies this can be a difficult and frustrating time. Fortunately, there are ways to beat those pesky seasonal allergies, including visiting your neighborhood Velocity Urgent Care center.

What Are Seasonal Allergies?

Seasonal allergies, also referred to as hay fever, are a common problem for many people in the spring. As plants, trees, and flowers all give off pollen while blooming, the body mistakes them for a dangerous substance. The pollen causes a variety of allergic reactions including a runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, sinus headaches, rashes, and more. Unlike an illness or disease, there is no cure for seasonal allergies. However, there are treatments available.

Allergy Triggers

Some substances are more likely to cause an allergic reaction in a patient than others. This is a highly individualized occurrence and differs for each person. However, springtime seasonal allergies can generally be blamed on two culprits: pollen and mold.

Pollen is a tiny particle released by trees, grasses, and flowers in the spring that travel through the air and fertilize other plants. A single plant can release billions or even trillions of these particles into the air each year and most species of trees and grass release some sort of pollen. The pollen can travel for many miles from trees and plants right into the air you breathe. These tiny particles are inhaled into the nasal passage when we breathe. The body then releases a flood of antibodies to attack the pollen, which then releases histamines into your blood. This chemical is responsible for the runny nose, itchy eyes, and other symptoms that seasonal allergy sufferers experience in the spring.

Mold is another common allergen. It is made up of colonies of microscopic spores that grow together and rapidly multiply until it’s visible. Mold can grow indoors or outdoors, but the increased rain of the spring months makes it a common outdoor allergen. Like pollen, these tiny spores are picked up in the wind and inhaled. The body’s response is the same, causing the same allergy symptoms.

Home Prevention Tips For Seasonal Allergies

If you notice that your allergies start to bother you, or if this is the first time you’ve noticed them, taking some steps at home may help. Installing HEPA air filters into your home’s ventilation or purchasing a smaller air purifier can help eliminate airborne allergens once you’re inside. Keeping clothes that have been outdoors in one room and in a closed hamper can also help. Unfortunately, there is no escaping seasonal allergies, and many people often need help to get rid of their symptoms. After all, no one wants to walk around with a sniffle and itchy eyes for the entire spring.

Velocity Urgent Care Is Here To Help

If you are a seasonal allergy sufferer in Virginia, Velocity Urgent Care has your back. Our eight convenient locations include: Norfolk, Virginia Beach (two locations), Newport News, Williamsburg, Carrollton, Gloucester, and South Boston. A visit to Velocity Urgent Care can help you identify the cause of your allergies and get treatment.

Our friendly providers will ensure that your allergies are just that, allergies, and not something more concerning. You will receive quick, affordable care to address your allergy symptoms and start feeling better.  After a medical exam, our providers can prescribe anti-histamine medication and nasal sprays to eliminate your itchy eyes and runny nose. If you’re dealing with more severe symptoms, they can refer you to an allergy specialist without having to waste time and money on a visit to a primary care doctor. Velocity Urgent Care centers are open 7 days a week with no appointment ever required, so you can just walk in whenever you need relief (or register online at www.velocityuc.com).