If you are an allergy sufferer living in Louisiana, you know that allergy season is well underway. Trees release their pollen in the spring, and that pollen can irritate the sinuses of allergic individuals. Similarly, grass pollen can also agitate a person’s allergies, with grass pollen season typically starting in late spring and lasting through the fall. It’s not uncommon for Louisiana residents to begin to develop symptoms during the allergy season.
But, what triggers this response from the body in the first place? And what should you do if you begin to experience seasonal allergy symptoms? Explore these health topics and others with Lake Urgent Care/Lake After Hours.
How Do Allergens Affect the Body?
Allergens such as grass and tree pollen can enter the body through the mouth, nose, and even the eyes. Once they enter, the immune system treats them as an outside threat. This is why allergy sufferers may experience a variety of symptoms during an allergy attack. The symptoms are a result of the body’s own immune response attempting to eliminate the perceived outside threat.
So, while the pollen is not a threat itself, the immune system treats it as if it is. This false alarm may then activate a number of immune responses that can make a person feel under the weather. These responses can lead to conditions such as:
- Headache
- Sinus pressure/stuffy head
- Redness/swelling of the skin (such as the area beneath the eyes)
- Watery, itchy eyes
- Coughing
- Wheezing/shortness of breath
- Sneezing/runny nose
- Post-nasal drip
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- And ear congestion
Many of these conditions are the result of the immune system attempting to deal with a foreign threat. For example, the mucus that creates problems such as post-nasal drip and runny nose is your body’s way of targeting potential threats, isolating them, and expelling them. Similarly, the body can release histamines which cause inflammation of the mucous membranes in the nose and ears. However, there are some treatments that can lessen the severity of these immune responses and provide relief.
Don’t Suffer Through Allergy Season in Louisiana, Get the Care You Deserve Today
During peak allergy season in Louisiana, there is an increased risk of pollen exposure. Sometimes seasonal allergy symptoms can be manageable on your own. But, if they begin to interfere with your daily life, you should seek the help of a trained healthcare provider.
While the natural plant life of Louisiana is beautiful, it also comes at a cost during allergy season. But, with the right care at Lake Urgent Care/Lake After Hours, our skilled medical staff members are ready to diagnose your condition and help you get back on your feet.
We want you to feel better faster so that you can get back to doing the things you love to do. So, if you’ve been feeling under the weather due to seasonal allergies, check-in to Lake Urgent Care/Lake After Hours today. And, if you’re in the area, walk-ins are also welcome! Don’t suffer through seasonal allergies any longer than you have to. Get quick, affordable care from Lake Urgent Care/Lake After Hours today!