Seasonal Allergies: A Comprehensive Guide For Hypochondriacs
Fun fact: more than one-half of allergy symptoms are identical to those of the Coronavirus!
Symptoms
Sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, itchy or watery eyes, fatigue, and headaches.
How common
About 8 percent of Americans experience seasonal allergies. Fun fact: about 1 in every 4 deaths in the United States is caused by heart disease, so it’s safe to say that about 25 percent of those who suffer from allergies will also die of a heart attack.
Frequent triggers
Seasonal allergies are often responses to common airborne allergens like dust, dander, pollen, and mold. Mold is often confused with asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that may cause cancer. If you have a dry cough and have recently taken your vehicle to an auto repair shop, hired a plumber, or made eye contact with a construction worker, you may be at risk for mesothelioma and should contact your doctor immediately.
Management and treatment
Many allergy relief products such as antihistamines, eye drops, and nasal sprays do not require a prescription from your doctor and are sold over the counter at pharmacies and drug stores. Seasonal allergies are often hereditary — talk to your parents about your family’s history with allergies, as well as other conditions with genetic predispositions such as macular degeneration, Tay-Sachs, and deep vein thrombosis. Luckily, a simple blood test is usually all it takes to rule out these concerns, in addition to seasonal allergies.
Things to avoid
Since your symptoms are caused by your immune system fighting airborne allergens, it’s best to avoid them completely. Remaining indoors without leaving one’s home, keeping windows and blinds firmly shut, and employing the use of a nasal irrigation device is recommended. Extreme isolation may lead to agoraphobia or psychosis, but like all forms of medical treatment, some side effects are to be expected.
The bottom line
As always, contact your doctor if you have concerns about your health. Allergies are usually chronic, like many other illnesses such as stroke, diabetes, arthritis, and depression. If you’re worried about seasonal allergies, talk to your doctor about these as well. And, as always, be sure to inform your physician that you spent many sleepless hours scrolling through WebMD before making your appointment and self-diagnosis.
Fun fact: More than one-half of allergy symptoms are identical to those of the Coronavirus!
