Atrium Health Navicent shares tips for navigating seasonal allergies

Dr. Leslie David with Atrium Health Navicent said medications such as Zyrtec or Allegra can help with allergies.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Atrium Health Navicent is sharing tips for navigating seasonal allergies.

Dr. Leslie David with Atrium Health Navicent said allergies can come from different types of triggers, such as pollen from grass or different types of trees.

“If you have a runny nose, if you have congestion, if you have watery eyes or puffy eyes that seem fairly mild and straight forward, it’s most likely just seasonal allergies,” says Dr. David. “When we get concerned is when you start to have things like wheezing, if you have severe coughing or if you have those mild symptoms but they are lasting very long and they’re not improving with your typical remedies that’s when we start to get pretty concerned.”

David added that typical allergies last for a few days, but if symptoms continue for one to two weeks and typical remedies are not working, then people should see their physician. He added that people can either go in person to see a doctor or do a virtual visit.

David said allergies are typically worse at dawn and dusk. He added that people can wear sunglasses or a face mask to avoid allergens getting into their system.

David added that once people get home from being outdoors, it is best to shower and get the allergens off. He said people can also do a nasal saline rinse to get pollen out of their system.