Pollen saturation in cities have never been at a higher levels thanks to the effects of climate change across the globe. Changes in typical temperatures have caused trees, plants, and flowers to delay the release of pollen, resulting in a huge burst of the powdery substance when seasons change. Here are a variety of ways to adjust to the pollen of a new city.
Know What You’re Dealing With
Every city has a different pollen profile, derived from local plant life that flourishes locally. The pollen that you have to deal with in Houston, Texas, will be different from that which you find on the East Coast. The City of Houston provides detailed reports about the levels and types of pollen that are found in the air.
In terms of trees, the Elm, Hickory Pecan, Walnut, Birch, and the Hackberry are monitored. The ragweed and amaranth varieties of weeds are measured in detail. Nine different molds spores are also counted. These spores act like pollen in the sense that they travel through the wind to reproduce and cause irritation for allergy sufferers.
Armed with the knowledge of the type of allergen you’re dealing with, you can seek an appropriate treatment.
Treatment Tips
Be proactive when battling the onset of allergies. Visiting an allergy professional sooner rather than later reduces the amount of time it takes to offset the symptoms.
When you move to a new city, it’s crucial to create a living space that reduces the amount of allergens that make it indoors. The air filter of your HVAC system should perform at a MERV level of at least 11 to effectively filter out pollen. A vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter also helps, as does having an air filter certified to HEPA standards.
One of the most effective ways of dealing with allergies is to visit a doctor who specializes in allergy issues. In addition to performing tests that will determine the exact nature of your allergy, a doctor can guide you in establishing an allergy diary. This information can help uncover potential patterns to your allergies and help you avoid certain circumstances in the future.
Let Us Help You with Your Allergies
Dedicated clinics such as Houston Sinus & Allergy have experience treating the type of allergens present in Houston. The doctors are also able to prescribe the best treatment to counteract the symptoms, such as nasal antihistamines, allergy shots, and leukotriene modifiers, which prevent inflammation due to your body’s natural immune response to pollen and other allergens.
If you’re experiencing any allergy symptoms, let us help you find relief. Book an assessment with Houston Sinus & Allergy today!
