The turn of the season is a busy and exciting time for families. Generally regarded as the first month of spring, March creates plenty of opportunity to get outside and have fun. Unfortunately, spring also brings seasonal allergy symptoms for many people. Seasonal allergies can be a nuisance and leave you feeling unwell for weeks. However, there are ways to avoid triggering allergies and treatment options available to help relieve your symptoms!

For same-day seasonal illness treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Lakewood! Our team of licensed, board-certified medical providers specialize in treating a wide range of acute conditions, like spring allergies. Simply walk-in or reserve your spot online today.

Seasonal Allergy Causes and Symptoms

Seasonal allergies are caused by an immune system response to allergens, like pollen. When you breathe in pollen, your immune system may produce antibodies to attack the foreign substance which leads to inflammation and other allergy symptoms. Besides pollen, there are several allergens that can trigger symptoms. A few common allergens include mold, dust, grass, and pet dander. Seasonal allergies are very common, and can affect any person at any time of year.

Common seasonal allergy symptoms include:

• Sneezing
• Itchy and watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Itchy throat
• Congestion
• Cough
• Fatigue

Identify and Avoid What’s Triggering Your Allergies

The best way to manage and alleviate your seasonal allergy symptoms is to determine what’s triggering them. As mentioned, the most common allergens that trigger symptoms include pollen, grass, mold, dust, and pet dander. In the spring, pollen is the most common trigger– affecting over a quarter of adults in the U.S. Once you identify what’s making your allergies act up, try your best to avoid your exposure to that allergen.

Prevention methods depend on which allergen is affecting you. If you’re sensitive to pollen, you can track the pollen count in your community and try to avoid being outside during that time. You can also wear a mask when outside and use air conditioning instead of opening your windows. Additionally, make sure to regularly disinfect your surfaces, wash bedding, and dust furniture to keep pollen and other allergens outside of your living space.

Seasonal Allergy Symptom Relief and Treatment

When simply avoiding your trigger isn’t enough, there are treatment options available for seasonal allergy symptoms at urgent care centers. In some cases, medication can be prescribed to help alleviate symptoms. Treatment for allergies can also include prescription ointments or lotions, or immunotherapy. Your specific regimen will depend on what is causing your symptoms to act up, so it's always a good idea to speak with a professional about your options. AFC Urgent Care Lakewood is a great resource for those who wish to receive same-day care on a walk-in basis.

Visit AFC Urgent Care Lakewood for Allergy Care

If you are experiencing symptoms due to your seasonal allergies, visit AFC Urgent Care Lakewood for relief of your symptoms. The clinic is open seven days a week with extended weekend hours for patients with busy schedules. In addition to treating your symptoms, we can help develop a plan to help you manage them in the future. If you have any further questions about seasonal allergy relief tips, please call us directly at (303) 988-3600.