Spring Into Spring!

Although you wouldn’t know it (thanks to recent LARGE snow dumps), spring is here! Hooray, this Aussie survived another Chicago winter! It will be so wonderful to watch plants come back to life and flowers bloom, but allergies will abound soon, too.
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So, read on, blokes and sheilas* to help keep the spring in allergy sufferers’ steps this spring.

Seasonal Allergy Checklist
✓ Start prescribed antihistamines and nasal sprays BEFORE allergies get bad
o Oral medications help sneezing and itchiness; nasal sprays tend to help nasal symptoms. Speak to your physician before embarking on daily allergy treatment. If treatment and avoidance strategies are not successful, you can always request referral to an allergist for testing and to discuss next steps such as allergy immunotherapy.
o Cold compresses on itchy eyes, saline nasal sprays/irrigation for congested noses and use of soft tissues with lotion can also help.
✓ Plan outdoor activities when pollen levels are low (the arvo* is best!)
o Pollen levels tend to peak mid-morning, early evening and in windy weather.
✓ Keep windows closed and use an air conditioner (if available), preferably with a HEPA filter. o Avoid the temptation to ‘air out’ the house, keep pollens OUT.
✓ Wash off allergens before sleep
o Have children bathe/shower (and wash hair) before bed to make sure all pollens are washed away before sleep time.

Is it an allergy?
It can be tricky to tell a cold from an allergy flare. The combination of sneezing with nose, throat, and eye itchiness PLUS nasal congestion usually suggests an allergy, whereas fever PLUS nasal congestion suggests a cold. Additionally, nasal mucous from an allergy is usually clear, and watery, like a cuppa without milk.*

Do allergies matter?
The symptoms of untreated allergies irritate and distract. At night, this can lead to poor quality sleep. In the day, this can lead to reduced concentration, impact learning, and cause a whole lot of sooking*. Additionally, asthma sufferers can experience dangerous asthma flares if allergies are left untreated. Allergies can also inflame the ears and the cause fluid accumulation, which may promote ear infections and reduce hearing (and subsequent learning).

Want to know more? 
American Academy of Asthma, Allergies & Immunology (aaaai.org) has lots of great information for further reading.

Enjoy spring, mates!

P.S Don’t forget to re-commence sunscreen use as days get warmer and outdoor play begins again (with skin exposed as opposed to being covered with kilos* of clothing!) PLUS always think about water intake and maintaining hydration.

* Australianisms
Arvo= afternoon (Australians are lazy, they abbreviate every word possible!)
Blokes and sheilas = gentlemen and ladies
Cuppa without milk= cuppa refers to a cup of tea. Australians typically drink black tea with milk (NOT CREAM!!)
Kilo= kilogram = a much more sensible measure of weight than the pound ;)
Sooking= moping/feeling miserable/complaining