Tips for Avoiding Seasonal Allergies for Seniors

During the spring, flowers bloom, trees fill with leaves, and grass turns green… and a yellowish powder appears on the hood of your car! If you have seasonal allergies, that “powder” and other things may turn your eyes red and itchy, cause your nose to start running, and you might start coughing and sneezing repeatedly.

Some people live their entire lives without seasonal allergies, and then find suddenly that they have developed them as they’ve aged. If so, you have just joined millions of people battling with the air they are breathing.

But there are ways for seniors to win the battle — or at least prevent allergies this season from taking control of your life.

The Allergens

The rate at which different plants emit pollen varies throughout the year. Some, like ragweed pollen, can survive through the winter and play havoc with your immune system all year-round. Healthline has a list of the worst-offending plants around the country, as well as a list of tree, grass and weed pollen that can trigger uncomfortable allergies.

For most people who suffer from allergies, grass pollen is among the worst kind. These types of pollens begin to appear in late spring and summer, which means taking extra care when you are performing yard work—especially mowing the lawn. However, tree pollen is responsible for most springtime seasonal allergies.

Weed pollens typically make an appearance in late summer and early fall, peaking in mid-September. Counts for pollen are usually highest between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. They are the most prolific allergens of all, producing a large amount of pollen grains that can be carried by the wind for hundreds of miles.

Prevention

Many older adults develop seasonal allergies in their later years. But don’t automatically assume you have seasonal allergies just because you start showing symptoms.

Be aware of a condition called non-allergic geriatric rhinitis, which is an often-overlooked condition – not caused by allergies – that produces nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, a cough, and mucus in the throat. Your health provider can help you tell the difference.

If allergies this season are indeed the cause of your woes, however, there are a number of non-medical and preventive steps you can take, including:

• Reducing your exposure. Stay indoors on dry, windy days or when the pollen count is high. If you do go outside, you may want to wear a pollen mask. The best time to go out is after a rain has helped clean pollen from the air.
• Checking your local news station or newspaper for pollen counts. Avoid or limit your outdoor exposure on high pollen count days.
• Keeping doors and windows closed.
• Using air conditioning in your home and car. It also might be worth purchasing a HEPA air purifier to remove allergens from inside your home. Here are the top 10 HEPA air purifiers for 2023 as ranked by Buyers Guide.
• Covering your bedding and pillows with allergen-proof covers.
• Making a point of washing your hands and showering when coming in from the outdoors, as well as changing and washing your clothes.
• Vacuuming regularly and making sure your vacuum has a HEPA filter.
• Removing unnecessary clutter inside the house that can serve as dust collectors, which will further irritate allergies.
• Having others take care of gardening and lawn work on high-count pollen days.
• Asking visitors to remove their shoes before entering your home. This is to eliminate tracking in pollen.

Good nutrition aids the immune system. Eat foods rich in vitamin C. Other recommended foods include ginger, walnuts, apples and green, leafy vegetables.

Treatment

There are over-the-counter medications that can help with allergies this season, but be aware that they can have serious side effects. Check with your physician or pharmacist about any potential drug interactions with your current medications.

Two of the most popular allergy medications are diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton). Potential side effects for these over-the-counter medications can include anxiety, confusion, drowsiness, urine retention, dry mouth and eyes, and dizziness.

In addition to these side effects, these medications can contribute to falls and urinary tract infections, and cause mood changes and other interactions with medications.

Also, you should not rely on allergy medications for more than a few days. Talk to your physician or pharmacist, who may recommend a nasal steroid or other medication. If these don’t work, ask about antihistamines like Claritin, Zyrtec, or Allegra.

Take Control of Allergies this Season

Seasonal allergies can be more than just annoying. They may significantly affect your emotional and physical health. For example, symptoms such as nasal congestion, cough and an irritated throat can be dangerous for seniors with cardiovascular problems or lung disease.

Allergies can also cause you to be physically inactive, socially isolated, and mentally depressed. Follow this advice, and learn how to manage your allergies and regain control of your life .

For more tips on avoiding seasonal allergies, please visit Bethesda’s Health & Wellness blog.