Fighting Seasonal Allergies is a Three-Step Process

Photo closeup of dandelion seeds
Hay fever — a seasonal inflammation of the nasal passages that can cause sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes, a scratchy throat, and a cough — can make you feel miserable. To make matters worse, hay fever can be triggered in three out of the four seasons — spring, summer, and fall.

“The allergens change throughout the seasons, but whether it is tree pollen, grass, or ragweed, symptoms can be similar — a runny nose, itchy eyes, or a cough. You can have an allergy to more than one of them,” says Helen Skolnick, MD, Chief of Allergy and Immunology at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.

If hay fever symptoms interfere with your daily life, a three-step process can help reduce seasonal suffering. The first step is seeing an allergist for testing to determine what is triggering your allergic reaction.

“Knowing what you are allergic to is important so you can proceed to step two, which is taking environmental control measures to reduce your exposure,” says Dr. Skolnick, who is board certified in allergy and immunology. “For example, if you are allergic to grass, you would want to stay indoors with the windows closed when the grass is being cut. An allergist can help you determine the individual environmental changes needed to reduce exposure.”

An allergist can also help with the third step — determining the correct medications (either over-the-counter, prescription, or a combination of both) needed to manage your symptoms.

“If you are still bothered by symptoms after this three-step process, allergy shots can help,” says Dr. Skolnick.

 


To find a physician affiliated with Penn Medicine Princeton Health, call 1.888.742.7496, or visit princetonhcs.org/directory.