Category: Allergies

If you suffer from summer allergies, you know that allergy symptoms can get in the way of outdoor summer fun. In Florida, the summer season often comes with high pollen counts, causing many people to experience sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and other common allergy symptoms. 

Thankfully, there are many strategies for fighting summer allergies, including:

Check Daily Pollen Counts.

Checking daily pollen counts can help you avoid summer days that are sure to cause an allergy flare. You can easily find pollen counts for your area online, or download an allergy tracker app on your smartphone. 

Change Out Air Filters Regularly. 

The air filters in your home’s HVAC system help filter out allergens that can trigger uncomfortable symptoms. However, these filters can clog over time and start circulating allergens throughout the air in your home. So, to keep your home’s air quality high, make sure to clean or change your air filters every one to three months. 

Shower and Change After Spending Time Outside. 

When you spend time outside, pollen can accumulate on your clothing, skin, and hair. To prevent spreading this pollen throughout your home, we recommend showering and changing your clothes after being outside. 

Launder Bedding and Vacuum Carpets Weekly. 

Allergy sufferers may need to pay extra attention to household chores throughout the peak allergy season. Pollen and other allergens can settle on bedding, carpets, and rugs. So, washing your bedding and vacuuming once weekly can help keep your home pollen-free. 

Consider Allergy Medications. 

If allergies are beginning to affect your quality of life, it’s time to consider allergy medications. Many options are available over-the-counter and can help alleviate allergy symptoms over time. You can also talk to your doctor about prescription allergy medications if at-home remedies aren’t providing relief. 

 

With the spring season in full swing, many Floridians are starting to experience a runny nose, itchy eyes, scratchy throat, and other common allergy symptoms. In Florida, multiple allergens are released into the air during springtime. While we can’t stop these allergens from wafting across the state, there are ways to beat uncomfortable allergy symptoms. 

The most common spring allergies in Florida include:

Tree Pollen

Tree pollen is an extremely common allergen. You may see it in the form of a fine yellow powder that accumulates on outdoor surfaces. Many people are allergic to tree pollen, and in Florida, tree pollen season strikes in springtime. 

The tree species that most often cause spring allergies in Florida include:

• Birch 
• Elm
• Bayberry
• Maple
• Oak
• Pine

To avoid tree pollen allergy symptoms, try to avoid contact with pollen whenever you can. You can check the daily pollen count online for your area – on days with very high pollen counts, consider spending more time indoors. Additionally, keep windows and doors shut, shower after returning home from spending time outside, replace your home’s HVAC filters regularly, and vacuum frequently to remove pollen that may have settled in your home’s carpets. 

Grass

During the spring and summer, certain grasses in Florida produce high amounts of allergenic pollen. If you, like many Floridians, carefully tend to your lawn, you may start to experience allergy symptoms this spring. 

To help limit your exposure to grass pollen, aim to shower and change your clothing after mowing your lawn. Additionally, keep up with HVAC maintenance to prevent the circulation of pollen throughout your home. 

If you’re struggling to manage allergy symptoms, reach out to Florida Wellness Medical Group to learn about the treatment options available to you. Our physicians can help alleviate your symptoms and differentiate allergies from other ailments, such as the common cold. 

Spring has officially sprung! While we all enjoy budding flowers, chirping birds, and clear blue skies at this time of the year, common springtime illnesses can throw a wrench in your plans. But, by planning ahead and taking care of your health, you can prevent these ailments from derailing your favorite springtime activities. 

Some of the most widespread illnesses in the spring include:

Allergies

Spring is one of the peak times of year for seasonal allergies. During the spring, high pollen counts caused by blooming flowers can lead to red, itchy eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, and coughing, among other symptoms. 

If you experience seasonal allergies in the spring, follow these tips for relief from your symptoms:

• Take an over-the-counter allergy medication before your symptoms begin. If you have questions about allergy medications, make sure to consult your doctor.  
• Especially on days with high pollen counts, keep the windows of your home and car closed.
• Make sure to shower and change your clothing after returning inside to prevent pollen from sitting on your skin and spreading throughout your home.

The Common Cold

Rhinoviruses, (or the common cold, as they’re more frequently called), tend to spread in the spring. At this time of year, be especially careful to wash your hands thoroughly and regularly, especially after coming into contact with high-touch surfaces. Additionally, try not to touch your mouth, nose, and eyes. 

Lyme Disease

Deer ticks often emerge in the springtime, bringing with them Lyme disease. Lyme disease can have severe medical complications, making it crucial to practice Lyme disease prevention throughout the spring. Make sure to:

• Steer clear of tall grass and bushy, wooded areas.
• If you go on a hike, remain in the center of the trails. 
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks while spending time in areas where deer ticks may be present.  
• Apply insect repellent before heading outside. 
• When coming indoors after spending time outside, check yourself, your children, and pets for ticks. Remove any feeding ticks immediately, and shower to get rid of walking ticks. 

At Florida Wellness Medical Group, we’re here to protect the health of you and your family all year long. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!