Asthma & Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies can aggravate asthma symptoms and even cause serious asthma attacks. That’s why it’s crucial to treat them properly.

Seasonal allergies are allergies caused by the pollen released by plants at certain times of the year.

Here are a few tips to help you reduce your exposure to pollen:

• Take an allergy test to see which plants you’re allergic to. Not all plants release their pollen at the same time of the year. If you know which plants you’re allergic to, you’ll be able to determine at what time of the year the risk of allergies is highest.
• Follow pollen count reports on the weather stations and plan your outdoor activities accordingly.
• During periods of high pollen count, cut back on your outdoor activities. Time your outdoor activities right after a rainfall, as rain washes pollen from the air. Change your clothes and wash off, especially your hair, after being outdoors. Keep your windows closed (home and car).

It is important to begin treating allergies as soon as the first symptoms appear, to reduce their impact on your asthma. There are various types of medication available to treat seasonal allergies. Some can be bought over the counter, while others require a prescription. As with asthma, the most effective are corticosteroids, in this case taken as a nasal spray.

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, consult your pharmacist. He or she can recommend the product best suited to your needs. In some provinces, pharmacists can prescribe seasonal allergy medication if you have already been prescribed a treatment by a doctor. Ask your pharmacist whether this service is available in your region and, if so, how it works.