Getting Relief & Treatment for Fall Allergies at CVS MinuteClinic #HealthTips

I have received promotional consideration from MinuteClinic. All opinions are my own.

How do I know fall is starting? I start sneezing and my eyes start itching. It happens every year and every year it takes me a few weeks for it to kick in that it is my seasonal allergies kicking in. I am just one of the 35 million Americans that suffer from allergies, many not even knowing they do. Many people, like myself, mistake fall allergies with a common cold.

So what exactly is the difference between a cold and allergies?

Well a cold is caused by a viral infection while allergy symptoms are caused by your body’s own immune system’s attempt to fight off an allergen. A cold will typically clear up pretty quickly, within 7-10 days while allergies may last weeks or even months!

Seasonal allergies are a reaction to small airborne substances that usually float around in the spring, summer, and fall.

What are some symptoms of a cold not usually associated with allergies?

• Aches and pain all over
• Fever
• Cough

For me there is no difference really between the different seasons and my allergies. Wether it’s spring or fall, I experience usually itchy eyes, sneezing and when its bad I get sinus pressure. Fall has more allergy triggers due to weed pollens, like ragweed and mold allergies. Dust mites are another common allergen in the fall due to closing up the house because of the cooler weather. Tree pollens pop up in the spring.

As soon as I realize its my seasonal allergies, I stock up on treatments. I usually take an allergy pill each morning because I’d rather be preventative than start suffering and have to wait for medicine to kick in.

I like to stock up on nose spray, decongestants and antihistamines and thanks to my local CVS I can easily stock up. For suggestions, the nurse practitioners and physicians assistants can recommend the right over-the-counter medications and write prescriptions when medically appropriate. I’ve had my allergies get so bad before that I knew I needed a prescription but didn’t have time to get into my doctor’s office. I love how CVS MinuteClinic is so easily accessible, no appointments needed.

Here are some daily tips to keep healthy and help prevent allergies from CVS MinuteClinic:

 

• It’s impossible to keep your kids from coming into contact w/ pollen, but it is possible to get relief – fast!

• In the early fall, keep your windows closed from 10am to 4pm. This will reduce your exposure to allergens like ragweed.

• Fall sniffles and sneezing are most likely NOT a cold. Could it be allergies?

• Clean and change air filters every three months to reduce the amount of dirt, debris, and allergens that you come in contact with everyday.

• Avoid window fans! While convenient, they tend to bring in unwanted pollens or mold spores.

• Don’t accessorize w/ itchy red eyes! Visit @MinuteClinic for the allergy relief you need.

• In the fall, we start pulling out cozy quilts when it gets cold. But these can be the home to dust mites, causing your allergies to become enflamed. Wash your bedding every two weeks to help ease allergy symptoms.