One of the blessings of the winter season is that seasonal allergies are almost nonexistent (although let’s not forget how it dries our skin. The beginning of spring is typically known for the introduction of sneezing and itchy eyes, but the spring allergy season can actually begin as early as February. We have some steps for you to smoothly transition into the upcoming months without being blindsided by allergies!
Here at DOCS Urgent Care we offer allergy testing at our Connecticut locations such as Fairfield, North Haven, New Milford, and Bethel.
The allergy testing process is relatively simple and painless. Small amounts of common allergens are carefully pricked onto the skin surface of the back or forearm of the patient. After a few short minutes, the irritable allergens will become itchy and noticeably red. This is the basis of determining a positive or negative association to common allergens.
It’s often beneficial to begin taking allergy medication prior to allergy season and not waiting until the first sign of symptoms. This gives you a time period and allows you to determine which medicine works best for your body and specific allergies. It also gives a transition period for your body to get used to the symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, etc.
At DOCS Urgent Care in Fairfield and other locations, we offer allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy. While over-the-counter medicine is short-term and fast-acting, immunotherapy is more of a long-term solution with a higher ceiling for effectiveness. It works by injecting the patient with a small dose of the allergen throughout the course of years. It stimulates the immune system without causing a severe allergic reaction and builds up a tolerance to it over time, which in turn, reduces or entirely prevents the allergy attacks.
It might seem obvious to keep the windows in your home shut during allergy season, but this is one of the main reasons people suffer from allergies. On top of that, closing your windows also doubles as a security precaution, so there’s no reason not to!
Excess allergens such as pollen and dandruff are attracted to the interwoven fabric of our clothing and sheets. Washing your clothes and sheets regularly can remove these allergens and make for a much happier lifestyle. Try washing your sheets once a week and if symptoms pursue, even more often!
For those of us who are allergic to dogs and cats, we often keep them in our living quarters and make a sacrifice for the companionship and affection they provide. Pollen on the other hand, doesn’t provide the same qualities, so why expose yourself to it when you don’t have to? Pollen levels are highest between the hours of 5:00AM and 10:00AM, so try to avoid significant time outdoors during those parameters.
Warm, dry, and windy weather is often the cause of an increase in seasonal allergies. The best time to be outside is after a rainstorm in the afternoon because the air is wet and not riddled with pollen.
If you have any questions about our services please contact us at 203-617-0319, and if you find yourself with an urgent health issue, please visit one of our urgent care centers located in Fairfield and throughout Connecticut.
During this surge in COVID-19 cases, our primary focus is meeting the high demand for tests, and we are seeing higher than usual wait times. This means we are unable to answer most phone calls. Please know that our teams are working very hard during this time to care for as many patients as safely as possible. Please click the button below for answers to common questions. We appreciate your understanding.
