Spring is officially in full bloom, which comes with many benefits! Our Nashville community is filled with gorgeous plants and trees that make the area so special. Unfortunately, all the new growth and pollen can be a killer for those who deal with seasonal allergies. In order to get ahead of allergy issues this year, it’s best to plan ahead and learn some ways to keep your sneezing and congestion under control. Here are 4 ways our pharmacy can help improve your nasal health this allergy season:
1. Help Identify the Allergens
With so many things blooming and other environmental factors, it can be hard to determine exactly what is causing your allergies to flare up. While it may take an allergy test from a specialist to hone in on the exact cause, there are common factors that we see in people who live in or visit the community frequently. Some of the most common allergens include springtime blooms that lead to high pollen counts, heavy rains that can lead to mold growth, and the cutting of grass and trees which can release allergens into the air.
2. Determine Your Allergy Symptoms
In some cases, the symptoms of allergies and other illnesses, such as the common cold, can look very similar. That is why we have put together a list of some of the most common allergy symptoms. When you are exposed to allergens, you may suffer an overreaction in the nasal passageways. This can lead to a variety of ailments, including a runny nose, coughing, sneezing, sore throat, nasal congestion, and sinus pressure. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, your doctor can further determine if allergies are the direct cause.
3. Medications and Other Supplements
One of the best ways to improve nasal health during spring is to stock up on all the necessary medications and vitamin supplements. Unfortunately, even if you try to avoid high pollen counts you are still likely to show signs of allergies. One of the amazing products that we carry at our Nashville pharmacy is an assortment of saline rinses, such as Neti-pot. These devices are a great way to clear the mucus and other allergens from your nasal passages. If you have never used a saline rinse, our pharmacists will be happy to answer any questions you have about proper use. We also offer all sorts of over-the-counter medications to help get you through allergy season, including Allegra, Zyrtec, and Benadryl.
4. Compounded Allergy Medications
As we mentioned previously, everyone is different when it comes to seasonal allergies. There are numerous environmental factors that can cause allergies, which means the medication and doses also are not the same for everyone. Also, you might find that the allergy medication itself is causing some type of reaction. Luckily, we have compounded allergy medication options for patients who react to specific allergens in their prescription or OTC allergy medications. If you are allergic to gelatin, corn, wheat, dairy, or peanut oil, talk to one of our pharmacists for possible alternatives to traditional allergy medicines.
Would you like to learn more about how we can set up a medication plan just for you to improve your nasal health and other areas of your well-being? Check out our full list of pharmaceutical services that we provide to the Nashville community.
