Airborne Allergies

Allergies often can be mistaken for a cold. Turn to p.6 to find out how to tell the difference.

We’ve flagged key advice we don’t want you to miss. Look for keys as you read.

Allergy Triggers

There are two kinds of airborne allergies:

• Indoor, year-round triggers –you always have the chance of being around these because they are found indoors where you live and work.
• Outdoor, seasonal triggers- you’re only around these during certain times of the year, usually in the spring or fall.

Your doctor may suspect you have allergies if:

• You’ve had-like symptoms that last more than two weeks.
• You seem to get a cold the same time each year.

The first step to threading allergies is to try and stay away from whatever causes your symptoms. but this is not always possible —-especially if you’re a landscaper and you’re  allergic to grass pollen! If you can’t avoid your allergy triggers, your doctor may suggest treatment.

• Allergy Medicines- over-the –counter and prescription –only options to help improve symptoms.
• Salt-water or Saline rinse- over –the –counter nasal spray to help relieve stuffy nose.
• Allergy shots-(also called immunotherapy) monthly shots given over three to five years to get your body used to the allergen in so it no longer triggers symptoms. this is often us