In early spring, allergens begin to bloom. Many people have subtle allergies that they may not know about. Pollen is a very common allergy that tends to cause many to suffer from allergy symptoms during the spring months. If you’re someone who experiences allergies, you may be wondering when you’ll start to see symptoms. Learn more about the spring allergy season and what to expect. If you’re experiencing allergies, visit AFC Urgent Care Bedford for same-day allergy care. Available daily on a walk-in basis.

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Common Allergy Symptoms

Experiencing allergies can be a pain. Allergic reactions can vary greatly in magnitude. In some cases, your allergies may be very mild and barely affect you. While in other cases, your allergies can disrupt your day to day life due to the bothersome symptoms. If you’re someone who suffers from allergies, you may know what to expect during the spring allergy season. However, if you’re not sure whether you have any allergies, pay attention to the following symptoms to help determine whether you’re suffering from spring allergies.

Common allergy symptoms include:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Congestion
• Post-nasal drip
• Sore throat
• Watery or itchy eyes
• Rashes
• Shortness of breath

How to Tell Allergies and Illness Symptoms Apart

You may have noticed how the above symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of a viral infection such as a cold. Allergy symptoms can look very similar to illness symptoms, which can make it difficult to understand whether you’re getting sick, or just suffering from allergies. If you notice any of the above symptoms, it is important to monitor your symptoms closely. If your symptoms continue to progressively get worse over time, you likely aren’t suffering from allergies.

Spring time allergies tend to flare up when you are spending time outside. This is because in the spring, common allergens such as pollen and dust begin to appear and accumulate in the air. If your symptoms worsen when you go outside, that is a telltale sign that you’re suffering from allergies. Having your symptoms fluctuate in severity is usually a sign that you could be suffering from an allergic reaction rather than an illness.

Allergy Diagnosis & Treatment

It can be difficult to identify allergy symptoms, especially if you have never been tested to see if you are allergic to anything. Being allergic to certain plants or other environmental irritants is more common than you might think. If you are suffering from illness symptoms that just won’t go away and don’t necessarily worsen over time, you could be suffering from seasonal allergies. Visiting your healthcare provider is the best way to identify what exactly is causing your symptoms.

When you visit your healthcare provider for symptoms of allergies, they will conduct a thorough evaluation of all of your symptoms. Allergies can be genetic, so they may ask whether you have a family history of having allergies. Your healthcare provider may preform allergy testing, where they prick your skin with tiny doses of different allergens to gauge your body's immune response and determine whether you’re allergic to anything. Based on the results, there are many ways to manage allergies to ensure that you stay comfortable during spring allergy season.

How to Manage Allergies During Spring

Allergies can be irritating to deal with. If you do suffer allergies, going outside during the spring bloom season can bring a variety of different symptoms that can make it difficult to do day-to-day tasks. Luckily, there are various ways to manage your symptoms during seasons where environmental allergens spike.

• Limit Time Spent Outdoors: Although this may be less than ideal, staying inside and keeping your windows shut will help keep your home allergen free which will reduce your symptoms.
• Identify Your Exact Allergies: Knowing exactly what is causing your symptoms can help you avoid contact with it.
• Use OTC Antihistimines: If you suffer from allergies, taking a daily antihistamine pill can help you prevent allergy symptoms from appearing. Be sure to use a non-drowsy medication if you are taking them during the day. Speak to your healthcare provider regarding dosage.
• Carry Eye Drops: If you’re someone who experiences itchy and puffy eyes as a result of your allergies, be sure to always carry the medication required to manage your symptoms. There are plenty of OTC eye drop options that are specifically made to combat allergies.
• Speak to Your Healthcare Provider About Allergy Shots: If your allergies are unmanageable, you can speak to your healthcare provider regarding allergy shots. Allergy shots are a long term commitment that exposes your body to small doses of your allergens to help your body build up and maintain better immunity.  

Walk Into AFC Urgent Care Bedford for Same-Day Allergy Treatment

If you’re suffering from any of the above allergy symptoms, AFC Urgent Care Bedford can help. Our team of dedicated board-certified medical providers can help determine exactly what is causing your symptoms and help develop a treatment plan for better symptom management. Our clinic is available to accept walk-in patients daily from 8am-8pm. We maintain short wait times so that you can receive prompt medical care, even without an appointment.

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At AFC Urgent Care Bedford, your health is our number one priority. That is why we offer a variety of preventative healthcare services such as allergy treatment, in addition to urgent injury and illness care. We accept most major medical insurance plans and offer affordable care options for patients paying directly for their healthcare. For more information, contact the clinic directly by calling (781) 430-8161.