Allergies can make life miserable, especially during the spring. Your primary care provider can help.
Your doctor can help identify the cause of your allergies so you can avoid triggers, and they can advise you on symptom relief.
They can also help you prevent allergies from turning into something more, like a sinus infection or ear infection. Learn more!
Allergies can cause congestion, itchy eyes, sneezing, and more – but they don’t have to control your life! Your primary care provider can help you get a clear diagnosis and find relief through effective treatment and prevention strategies.
“As spring arrives, we see more patients struggling with allergy symptoms,” notes Dr. Alberto Llaneza Santacruz, a primary care provider who sees patients at Harbor of Health. “It’s a good opportunity to address common questions, because understanding allergies can help you feel better and prevent small problems from turning into bigger ones.”
Do I have allergies or am I sick?
Allergies can look like a cold or infection, causing sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, and itchy or watery eyes.
Dr. Llaneza Santacruz said there are key differences to watch for. Colds and other viruses typically also cause fever, aches, and fatigue. Sinus or ear infections also cause fever, along with thick green mucus and pain in the affected area.
Timing matters, too. Viral infections can hit anytime and usually get better in about a week. Allergy symptoms often occur at the same time every year and last for weeks or months without improvement, he noted.
How do I keep allergies from turning into an infection?
“Understanding allergies can help you feel better and prevent small problems from turning into bigger ones,” said Dr. Alberto Llaneza Santacruz, a primary care doctor at Harbor of Health.
“We’ve all been there. Spring arrives, you start sniffling, and soon you have a sinus infection or ear infection,” Dr. Llaneza Santacruz said. “If allergies aren’t treated, they can cause blocked sinuses, which creates a breeding ground for infection.”
He recommends keeping your nasal passages clear by rinsing with a saline spray or neti pot to wash out allergens and mucus. Over-the-counter medications can help reduce inflammation.
Staying hydrated and avoiding irritants also helps stop allergies from triggering an infection.
How do I know what’s causing my allergies?
The first step in controlling allergies is knowing their cause, Dr. Llaneza Santacruz said. If you’re having trouble identifying your triggers, ask your primary care provider about allergy testing.
The most common test is a skin prick test, where tiny amounts of allergens are placed on the skin to see if a reaction occurs. “We can also run blood tests to measure allergy-related antibodies,” Dr. Llaneza Santacruz noted. “These tests are quick, safe, and accurate, and they help us provide more targeted treatment and avoidance strategies.”
What are my treatment options?
Treatment depends on how severe your symptoms are and how much they affect your daily life.
“For most patients, over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays provide relief. As a primary care provider, I help patients find their best option,” Dr. Llaneza Santacruz said.
Allergy testing can help you understand your triggers so you can manage your symptoms. Air filters, over-the-counter medications, and washing bedding frequently can all help.
If your symptoms are more severe or don’t go away with OTC products, you can try prescription medications and allergy shots. Allergy shots are a form of immunotherapy that help your body’s immune system become less sensitive to allergy triggers.
Is there anything else I can do?
Knowing your triggers is key so you can avoid them as much as possible, Dr. Llaneza Santacruz said.
If you’re sensitive to pollen, keep windows closed and shower after going outside. For dust mite allergies, wash bedding weekly in hot water and use hypoallergenic covers for your mattress and pillows. Fix leaks and use dehumidifiers to help with mold allergies.
“If you have pet allergies, you don’t have to do without your four-legged friends!” he added. “You can buy air filters or keep pets out of certain rooms like bedrooms to reduce exposure. “