Strolling through Chapel Street Fountain Park on a sunny Saturday only to be met with an onslaught of sneezing can be quite the surprise. While it may seem that your sneezing arises out of nowhere, it is possible that it is symptomatic of adult-onset allergies.
What Are Allergies?
Allergies are an immune system overreaction to a normally harmless substance (allergen). When you come into contact with an allergen you’re sensitive to, your body reacts by releasing histamine. Histamine release causes the symptoms associated with allergies. Symptoms may include:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Hives
- Watery eyes
- Shortness of breath
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Anaphylaxis
More research is required to determine exactly why you may be allergy-free your whole life only to wake up one day having joined the more than 100 million people in the U.S. experiencing allergies. When adult-onset allergies are causing unwanted sneezing and coughing, managing your symptoms becomes crucial to comfort and well-being.
How Can You Manage Allergies?
Symptom severity will differ from person to person. Some may only experience mild sneezing, while others may break out in hives or struggle to breathe (anaphylaxis). Your allergy management options may differ depending on the severity and frequency of your symptoms. A few excellent options to manage your allergies include:
- Avoidance. Following a hearing test, put a plan into place to avoid your allergens as much as possible. For instance, while you may not be able to avoid all pollen, simple measures like closing your windows and avoiding the park on high-pollen days can make a massive difference in the severity of your symptoms.
- Medication. Allergy medication does not stop allergies from occurring but manages their symptoms by temporarily suppressing histamine and controlling inflammation. Medications may include ENT-approved nasal sprays, antihistamine drugs and more.
- Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy works by introducing increasing dosages of an allergen into your system via shots. As the dosages increase over time, your body becomes less sensitive to the allergen, reducing the severity of your symptoms.
If adult-onset allergies are causing unpleasant symptoms, make an appointment with your allergy specialist for a specialized treatment plan. Contact Charleston ENT & Allergy today to make an appointment with one of our trusted specialists.