any one here allergic to pollen and what does it do it used to never bother but my lungs have been going downwards and i think this is what may be bothering me cuz for the past week ive been caughing alot more and it seems to be harder to breath my lungs feel really congested could this be due to pollen because it is high at this time of the year where i live i dont sneeze or have runny nose but
Hello there monds1234,
I have been an allergy nurse for 18 years now. This time of year is pretty common to have your type of symptoms. The most common pollen this time of year is Ragweed (one plant can produce up to a billion pollen grains and spread up to 400 miles) regardless I am sure it grows where you live. Since I am not a doctor I can't really tell you what to take. First thing is consider getting allergy tested. Skin testing via Intradermal is by far the best and accurate methodology available to date. This is where a very small amount of allergen is placed just beneath the dermal layer of the skin. Its best to not only be tested for Ragweed but a number of things at the same time. So in my opinion Dust mite, House Dust, Danders (Cat and Dog), Pollens (Grasses, Trees, Weeds) and molds are appropriate. This will not only tell you for sure if it is indeed an allergy trigger but it can help you prophylactically prepare for the allergy season if its indeed a pollen. If it happens that you have some indoor things (for example Dust mites) then there is several things that you can do to help lower your allergic load. Once you help lower your allergic load it can help with other things that you are exposed to.
I can tell you a few things that are safe. Consider nasal washes like the one from Neil Med. The sinus rinse (use distilled water only) works wonders for people with allergic rhinitis. It helps wash the pollen out of the sinus in a safe and effective way. It also helps wash the other thick mucus and overall has been known to lower the amount of sinus infections you may get. Take your shoes off by the front door as it may track in pollen from outdoors. Change your clothes immediately when you are home for the day. Take showers at night, this will help wash the pollen out of your hair and skin so your not bringing that into your bed.
If you get tested and you test positive enough, the doctor may recommend immunotherapy. This has been around for over 100 years now. It has some risks but it is still safe for even pregnant people to take. Immunotherapy is designed to dramatically reduce allergic rhinitis.
Hope this helps.
-Michael
