(BPT) – If you’re a seasonal allergy sufferer, there’s never been a better time to get your symptoms correctly diagnosed, treated and under control.
Why? Thanks to greater accessibility, it’s easier than ever to take care of your symptoms from home, observing safe social distancing without having to regularly visit an allergist to seek relief. And given the pandemic (and the upcoming flu season), it’s increasingly important to maintain your general health so you can better fight off illnesses of all kinds.
If you’re struggling with the misery that can result from seasonal allergies, you’re far from alone. According to the CDC, more than 50 million Americans are now dealing with some kind of allergy, making such afflictions the sixth most prevalent cause of chronic illness in the country. And with symptoms that can be mistaken for the novel coronavirus, seasonal allergies could be causing even more stress and anxiety for sufferers.
The good news? These days, many allergies can be safely identified with minimal visits to healthcare providers and then treated from home. And that could provide better relief from your symptoms as well as greater peace of mind.
‘For millions of Americans, the impact of seasonal allergies can extend well beyond just the clinical symptoms – missed work and school days, avoidance of the outdoors, and limitation of desired activities. Currently, allergy sufferers are also facing uncertainty and fear that they might be suffering from COVID-19 due to some similarity amongst symptoms,’ says Amanda Hofmann, vice president, clinical at United Allergy Services. ‘But fortunately, you can get clear answers as to what may be causing you trouble, as well as significant relief. And it’s more convenient and safer than you may think.’
The more you understand about your seasonal allergies, the easier it will be for you to form a treatment plan. Here are some facts to know:
- Allergy symptoms are not to be confused with those of COVID-19. The main symptoms common to COVID-19 (but not allergies) are fever, cough and shortness of breath, though many COVID patients experience no such symptoms. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology advises that it’s important to maintain overall good health by continuing to manage allergies during the pandemic.
- Common symptoms of seasonal allergies include a runny or stuffy nose; watery, itchy and/or red eyes; sneezing; coughing; itching of the nose, throat or roof of the mouth; swelling or blueness under the eyes; postnasal drip; fatigue and recurrent sinus infections.
- Studies show that allergy seasons are growing longer worldwide because of environmental changes, creating a greater need in the medical community for convenient and effective therapies.
- The most common trigger for fall allergies is ragweed, a wild plant that can grow nearly anywhere, blooming and releasing pollen from August through November.
Thankfully, United Allergy Services (UAS) offers allergy testing and immunotherapy treatment in a safe, convenient way. By working through your general provider to develop a treatment protocol that can be self-administered, relief for allergy sufferers can happen with minimal visits to the provider’s office or pharmacy. In fact, after the initial allergy test, which is administered in the general provider’s office, patients can undergo the majority of their treatment from the safety of their own homes.
‘While I can assure my patients that we are doing everything we can to ensure our office is a safe and sterile environment, I understand the fact that currently a lot of people still feel most comfortable staying home,’ said Dr. Gregory Fuller in Keller, Texas. ‘But fear of COVID-19 shouldn’t prevent you from getting quality care. At-home allergy immunotherapy allows me to treat my patients’ symptoms in a way they feel most comfortable.’
This season, there’s no reason to put off taking control of your seasonal allergies. Stay safe, take care of yourself and avoid what could otherwise be a miserable allergy season by seeking help today. Find more information at UnitedAllergyServices.com.
