Managing Your Holiday Season Allergies in Augusta
The holidays are here, and cheers are all around us. We go to more and more dinner parties with friends and families, gifts are passed around, and an abundance of food is shared around the table.
While you’re enjoying the holiday spirit in Augusta, no one wants to dampen the fun with potential allergy symptoms like frequent sneezing, a runny nose, itching, and headaches.
Holiday Allergies in Augusta, GA
Let’s take a closer look at Augusta, GA’s holiday allergy season:
🍂 During the fall season, ragweed is particularly on the rise, causing issues to many allergy sufferers. Ragweed pollen can travel long distances through the air and affect many. Mold spores may also be on the rise due to humid conditions and the presence of rotting leaves.
❄️ Despite Georgia’s mild and short winters, allergy sufferers in Augusta can still enjoy a quick respite from seasonal allergies when plants pause growth and vegetation in the meantime.
However, during this time, indoor allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and mold typically increase.
đź‘ŤHoliday Allergy Tips for Augusta Residents
✔️Clean holiday decorations before displaying them
Holiday decorations kept in storage from the holiday season the year before can collect dust. After you take them out and before you use them again, make sure to clean and dust them first. This prevents the spread of common indoor allergens like dust and mold spores into your home.
✔️Keep your home clean
Remember, a clean home is a healthy home. Regularly clean and dust your home, especially if you spend more time indoors during the holidays. If you’re having people over, dust and vacuum, especially high rugs, curtains, and furniture, before they start to arrive.
✔️Avoid smoke at all costs
The cooler holiday season means burning wood in the hearth to keep warm and cozy. However, smoke is a major trigger for allergies and asthma. It would be best for allergy sufferers for the hearth to remain unlit. Otherwise, stay in a different room to avoid the smoke. Additionally, stay away from cigarette smoke as well.
✔️Stay away from pets
If you’re visiting someone else’s home and they have pets, ask their pets to be put in a separate room to reduce the risk of triggering allergies.
✔️Prep necessary medications
Don’t forget to take your allergy or asthma medications to help reduce your body’s reaction to potential allergens.
✔️Run an air purifier
An indoor air purifier can reduce airborne allergens and irritants in the air, keeping air clean and fresh.
✔️If you’re traveling for the holidays
- Pack your allergy essentials, such as allergy medications, antihistamines, decongestants, pain relievers, and saline nasal sprays.
- Always look up pollen counts before your journey and plan your day accordingly.
- Wear a dust mask to reduce your exposure to airborne allergens and irritants.
- If you’re traveling by car, it’s best to keep the windows up.
- Always wash your hands, especially before touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth.
✔️If you have food allergies
- Stay extra cautious of what you pick up from the holiday feast table.
- If someone else is hosting and cooking, ask what ingredients were used.
- Turn down treats and dishes if you’re not sure about the ingredients used.
- If necessary, bring your own allergen-free food and let the host know beforehand.
- Be wary of cross-contamination on shared food.
Holiday Allergy Care in Augusta, GA
Allergies can be frustrating, especially if they start impacting your holiday cheer and spirit.
Augusta Breathe Free is committed to helping patients in Augusta and nearby Georgia communities understand and manage their allergies during the holiday season.
We provide in-office allergy testing in Augusta, GA and the surrounding areas and offer management strategies that may help reduce symptoms during high-allergen season.
Are you looking to understand your unique allergy profile? Schedule an appointment with our team today and get a personalized care plan tailored just for you.
