It’s that time of year again. The time of year when itchy, watery eyes and constant sneezing have you dreading leaving the house. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, your Pembroke Pines ear, nose, and throat doctor may be able to help relieve your symptoms.

Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, can make you miserable. It can even affect your work, school, or social life. Symptoms of springtime allergies include:

• Watery and itchy eyes
• Sneezing and coughing
• Sinus pressure and pain in the face
• Lessened sense of smell and/or taste
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Dark circles under the eye

Triggers for allergies

This time of year in Pembroke Pines can wreak havoc on those with seasonal allergies. Springtime allergens that produce pollen include:

• Trees
• Flowers
• Grass
• Weeds

Seasonal allergies can be especially dangerous for people with asthma. High pollen counts can trigger an asthmatic episode with wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing.

Seasonal Allergies or the Common Cold?

If you’re unsure of whether or not you have seasonal allergies, your ENT can perform a skin test to check. In some cases, they can also perform a blood test that may give a diagnosis.

Treatment for Springtime Allergies

Before beginning any medication, talk to your ENT for a diagnosis and treatment plan. Treatments may include:

Antihistamines to reduce sniffling, sneezing, and coughing

Decongestants to clear a stuffy nose

Antihistamine/decongestants combined to relief several symptoms at once

Nasal spray decongestants to relief symptoms of a stuffy nose without the side effects of oral medication

Steroid nasal sprays which help reduce swelling and inflammation

Eye drops to relieve itchy, watery eyes

If you’ve been avoiding leaving the house because you don’t want to combat those dreaded seasonal allergies, it may be time to talk to an ENT. The Broward Center for Ear, Nose, Throat, and Allergy of Pembroke Pines, FL specializes in helping to relieve hay fever symptoms. Schedule an appointment today to get your life back.