August 13, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Finally! Solutions for Spring Allergies

Spring is upon us – and so is allergy season. Seasonal allergies are common but they can be quite debilitating, affecting our quality of life and daily functioning. They develop when our body’s immune system becomes sensitized and overreacts to certain environmental triggers such as pollen from grass, ragweed, flowers or trees.

Nasal allergies, known as allergic rhinitis in the medical community, affect about 50 million Americans. Those with asthma may have more severe symptoms. Several patients suffering from allergies have come to my office feeling miserable, seeking advice for symptom relief. As someone who suffers from allergies, I can empathize with them.

Common allergy symptoms include:

  • Runny, itchy or stuffy nose (congestion).
  • Sneezing.
  • Itchy, red or watery eyes
    (allergic conjunctivitis).
  • Head congestion or headaches.
  • Fullness in ears

(from blocked Eustachian tubes).

  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Hoarse voice (from post-nasal drip).
  • Fatigue (likely from poor quality sleep due to nasal obstruction or congestion).

Some of my geriatric patients with nasal allergies have complained of fullness in ears that worsens their problems with hearing, balance and light-headedness.

Fortunately, there are ways to minimize allergy symptoms by reducing your pollen exposure. These preventive measures include:

Be aware of allergy triggers and avoid them when possible.

  • Stay indoors mid-day and afternoon,
    when pollen counts are usually highest.
  • Clean your carpet, floors, sheets and
    curtains more frequently.
  • Keep windows closed in your home and car.
  • Run air conditioning, if available, in
    your home and car to help remove
    pollen from the air.
  • Avoid going outdoors on windy days with
    high-pollen counts. Plan ahead by checking
    local weather reports.
  • Consider using HEPA filters / air purifiers.
  • Wash your hands after handling pets.
    Consider bathing them more frequently, if
    appropriate, to minimize pollen and
    pet-dander exposure.
  • Change your clothes and shower after
    spending extended time outdoors.

 

Several over-the-counter medications are available to treat allergy symptoms, including:

  • Oral antihistamines, such as loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and fexofenadine (Allegra). These medications are typically non-sedating and available as generics. They are listed in order of increasing strength and severity of potential side effects, which include dry eyes and mouth and constipation. People respond differently to these medications and should consult with their physician. In general, geriatric patients should avoid oral antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and Chlorpheniramine, which are sedating and can increase the risk of worsening confusion, memory problems and falls.
  • Nasal saline rinses. They can help relieve mild congestion, prevent crusting and loosen mucus, are safe to use and contain no medications.
  • Nasal corticosteroids (steroid) sprays, such as Nasacort and Flonase. Previously available by prescription only, they now are available over-the-counter. They help reduce nasal inflammation and congestion, but can take one to two weeks to be effective.
  • Artificial tears, which can help with dry, itchy eyes.
  • Other medications include oral and nasal decongestants and various types of eye drops. However, they can have potential side effects and should be discussed with a medical provider before they are used.

Some patients with severe allergies may need to see an allergist for further testing and treatment.

Please see your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about seasonal allergy symptoms.

Further information can be found at the “Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America” website, aafa.org.

Dr. Hong-Phuc Tran is a board-certified geriatrician with the highly regarded UCLA Geriatrics Program in Santa Monica and Westwood. For more information, call 310.319.4371 or visit www.uclahealth.org.

Tags: , in News
Related Posts

After a Fire in July, the Culver City Adjacent Museum of Jurassic Technology Reopens

August 13, 2025

August 13, 2025

Quick Action Saves and Volunteers Helped Reopen the Eccentric Treasure Smoke and fire tore through the Museum of Jurassic Technology’s...

Ex-LAPD Officer Among Four Charged in Kidnapping and Violent Home Invasion Robbery

August 13, 2025

August 13, 2025

Prosecutors Say the Suspects Handcuffed Victims, Stole Cash, and Cryptocurrency Felony charges were filed against a former Los Angeles police...

Beverly Hills Senior Scammed Out of $59K; Richmond Man Charged in Fraud Scheme

August 12, 2025

August 12, 2025

Suspect Posed as a Bank Employee and Federal Agent, Collecting Cash Twice  Multiple charges have been leveled at a Richmond,...

Rare Chinese Manuscripts Stolen From UCLA Library, Suspect Stayed at Brentwood Hotel

August 12, 2025

August 12, 2025

Suspect Swapped Originals for Fakes and Stored Evidence at Hotel Angeleno. Federal prosecutors have charged a Fremont, Calif., man with...

LAUSD Responds to Immigration Raids With Expanded Campus Safety Measures for New School Year

August 12, 2025

August 12, 2025

Superintendent Condemns Federal Agents’ Actions, Announces Safe-Passage Programs  Responding to heightened concerns about federal immigration activity near campuses, the Los...

(Video) Jennifer Levi, mother of Braun Levi, speaks at the Live Like Braun Memorial Tennis Tournament on His Birthday

August 12, 2025

August 12, 2025

After Braun was killed by a drunk driver, the Levis founded the Live Like Braun Foundation in his memory. The...

Two Hospitalized After Fourth-Floor Apartment Fire in Pico-Robertson

August 11, 2025

August 11, 2025

44 Firefighters Contained the Blaze, Rescued a 94-Year-Old Woman Flames erupted from a fourth-floor balcony of a six-story residential building...

Masked Man Sought After Explosion Damages Inglewood Apartment

August 11, 2025

August 11, 2025

Blast Followed a Confrontation as Suspect Demanded Money Police are investigating a Sunday explosion inside a second-floor apartment that damaged...

Mountain Lion Euthanized After Attacking 11-Year-Old Outside Malibu Home

August 11, 2025

August 11, 2025

Wildlife Officials Say the Girl Was Bitten Near Her Family’s Chicken Coop Wildlife officers shot and killed a mountain lion...

Frank Gehry Designed Playa Vista Office Complex Gets Green Light From LA Council

August 10, 2025

August 10, 2025

City Council Approves Environmental Study for Playa Vista Development City lawmakers last week moved a Frank Gehry–designed office development in...

Developer Lists $38M Brentwood Estate With Panoramic Views and Resort Amenities

August 10, 2025

August 10, 2025

“The Outlook,” Offers City-To-Ocean Vistas, Wellness Center, and Screening Lounge Developer David Maman has listed a newly built Brentwood mansion...

Brad Pitt Buys $12M Gated Hollywood Hills Mansion With Sweeping LA-to-Ocean Views

August 10, 2025

August 10, 2025

Oscar Winner’s Spanish-Style Estate Features Movie Theater, Recording Studio, Pool Brad Pitt has purchased a Spanish-style estate in the Hollywood...

Shannen Doherty’s Malibu Sanctuary Hits the Market for $9.45 Million

August 10, 2025

August 10, 2025

“Beverly Hills, 90210” Star’s Is Listed a Year After Her Death. The Malibu home where actress Shannen Doherty spent two...

Trump Administration Demands $1B From UCLA Over Campus Protests To Restore Funding and to Appoint Federal Monitor

August 9, 2025

August 9, 2025

Proposed Deal Ends Race and Ethnicity-Based Scholarships, Halt to Gender-Affirming Care  Federal officials are seeking $1 billion from the University...

Salt & Straw Debuts Farmers Market-Inspired Flavors for August

August 9, 2025

August 9, 2025

Series Features Peak-Season Produce in Inventive Ice Creams Salt & Straw has rolled out a new limited-edition collection celebrating peak...