Seasonal Allergies Are the Worst — Here’s How to Build a Routine That Helps

Ah, spring. It’s a time of new growth, longer days, sunshine, and ... pollen. Sneezing. Itchy eyes. Sinuses that feel like they’re about to explode. If you’re an allergy sufferer, then you may look at this blossoming season a lot differently (and with less anticipation) than someone for whom ragweed is just another plant.

That’s why managing allergies works best when you have a system. What that system looks like will vary from person to person, but a combination of daily prevention, fast-acting relief options, and a few changes to your home environment can make a world of difference. Below are a few of the products that can help make allergy season a little more bearable.

First things first: What are some daily steps you can take to help manage your allergy symptoms? Consistency is often key when you’re battling seasonal allergies; if your body has a stable level of medication, it’s better equipped to handle histamine. Histamine is a chemical that your immune system releases, relaying information to cells throughout your body. However, if you have allergies, your histamine tends to overreact, treating pollen and dander as if they are harmful substances. The result? Seasonal misery.

Don’t let allergies catch you off guard and blow up your budget. CVS ExtraCare can help you build a plan to combat seasonal allergies while saving on the essentials you’ll be stocking up on all season long. Many items are also available online or can be picked up in store, so you can get the relief you need, fast.

Given the nature of seasonal allergies, you probably do. “Seasonal allergies have been getting more severe year to year, and often people experience multiple symptoms.” Dr. Parikh explains.

“Different types of allergy treatments are able to help with different aspects of allergies,” says Joao Pedro Matias Lopes, MD, an allergist and immunologist practicing in Cleveland. “As an example, pollen allergies are very high right now in the spring [and] usually require the whole ordeal of medications, including oral antihistamines, two types of nasal sprays ... as well as eye drops.”

This is in part because different medications serve different functions: Antihistamines block histamine, nasal sprays reduce inflammation, and eye drops treat localized irritation. That’s why having a system is better than attempting to treat your symptoms with a single fix.

Dr. Lopes also stresses the importance of seeing a healthcare professional instead of trying to figure it out on your own. “Even though a lot of these medications are available over-the-counter ... the best strategy involves consulting with a board-certified allergist/immunologist who can help you figure out the best regimen to combine all these medications,” he says.

If you’ve ever waited until symptoms hit before doing anything about them, you’re hardly alone. But depending on how intense your allergies are, that approach can sometimes leave you scrambling to catch up.

“In some circumstances, the symptoms are mild and only in very specific seasons, so people can just use medications as needed,” Lopes says. Others, he says, need to take a daily medication before symptoms have time to manifest.

Daily prevention is usually key to ensuring that things keep running smoothly, since you’re preventing symptoms from really ramping up. Fast-relief medications are more reactionary: You’re using them once symptoms have already hit. While some people can get by with as-needed meds, others (especially during peak allergy season) will benefit from staying ahead of symptoms. It all depends on the individual, the severity of their allergies, and the timing.

The biggest mistake you can make is not taking allergies seriously in the first place.

“Many don’t take it seriously or think it’s a minor disturbance, when in fact it can have a severe impact on quality of life and result in days missed from work or school,” says Parikh.

It’s an easy trap to fall into, reaching into your medicine cabinet for whatever offers the fastest relief, without thinking about what’s actually causing the symptoms. But short-term fixes don’t always address the root cause of your allergic response, which is why symptoms can keep coming back.

Another common misstep is waiting too long to start treatment. By the time symptoms are in full swing, it can take longer to get them under control. Starting earlier — or at least having a plan in place — can make a huge difference in your ability to keep things under control. Think action, not reaction.

Quite a bit, actually. While you can’t control what’s happening outside (especially when pollen season is in full swing), you can reduce how much of it follows you indoors.

“During peak pollen allergy season, the most effective way to reduce pollen allergens in the home is to keep the pollen outside,” says Robert Zemble, MD, chief of allergy and immunology at Lehigh Valley Health Network in Pennsylvania. “This means, first and foremost, having the windows shut and opting for air-conditioning instead. It also means changing and showering after spending significant periods outdoors.”

Once allergens make their way inside, they tend to cling to soft surfaces like bedding and clothing. That’s why regular cleaning matters too. “I generally recommend washing sheets in hot water weekly and the entire bedding at least once a month,” Dr. Zemble says.

“When you come home, always change your clothes and take a shower to wash off all the pollen from your body,” Parikh advises. “Keep windows closed early in the morning, when pollen counts are the highest. Sunglasses or a mask can keep pollen out of your eyes, nose, and mouth.”