Allergies are still in full force. Find the fast, lasting relief you need by talking to a Kipp-Mallery pharmacist.

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Your nose is running constantly, your eyes are red and swollen and your throat feels like barb wire. You’re not alone as allergy season is in full force.

With average temperatures rising annually from season to season, this has caused allergy season to start earlier, last longer and feel worse than years past.

Trees are pollinating earlier, followed by grass pollination causing often unbearable suffering.

If you feel like you’re always coughing and have congested sinuses, you’re fatigued and irritable, having trouble sleeping or suffering regular sinus infections, it’s likely time to visit an allergist in an effort to nail down the specific allergens so they can be effectively treated.

In the meantime, Kristina Gifford, pharmacist and owner of Kipp-Mallery Pharmacy – IDA in Kamloops suggests several approaches to getting some relief.

“Allergy immunotherapy tablets or shots can be helpful as they help with symptoms as well as making you less allergic by desensitizing your body to pollen,” explains Gifford.

Nasal sprays can temporarily relieve itching and congestion, but should be used sparingly as they can end up worsening the situation. Over the counter antihistamines can provide several hours of relief, says Gifford. They are effective in the short term and some can make you drowsy, but are helpful in decreasing histamine-related symptoms like sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. Visiting the doctor is an important step before taking antihistamines.

Staying indoors on windy days, avoiding lawn cutting, hanging laundry indoors so pollen can’t stick to it and showering at the end of the day to wash the pollen from hair can help. Sleeping with windows closed, using the air conditioning in the house and car and avoiding outdoor activity in the morning when pollen counts are the highest can also ease symptoms, according to Gifford. Doing a sinus rinse with a saline solution can provide some quick relief as well.

Climate is a large factor in how bad allergy symptoms can be. Tree and grass pollen are worse during cool nights and warm days, and pollen levels usually peak in the morning. Although rain can wash away pollen, the count rises dramatically after a rain.

Gifford and her team at Kipp-Mallery would be happy to provide you with guidance on relieving your allergy symptoms. They can also deliver your allergy prescriptions free of charge within city limits if you’re unable to come in.

Visit www.kippmallery.ca, or drop into one of their three Kamloops locations.

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News from © iNFOnews, 2019