4 Tips to help manage your seasonal allergies when you have COPD

Having COPD can cause many respiratory problems and it can become more complicated when season allergies come into play. To avoid these extra complications and understand why allergy symptoms happen, let’s do an overview of what COPD is and how seasonal allergies can make the condition worse. 

COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and is a lung disease that can cause inflammation in the lungs and obstructed airflow. Symptoms include wheezing, severe coughing and fatigue. It can also cause mucus production, making it difficult to breathe. Adding seasonal allergy symptoms to the list can make double the trouble.  

Common seasonal allergies include stuffy noses and itchy, watery eyes. Symptoms like this occur because when allergens like pollen, dust or mold are inhaled, our immune system reacts and produces different substances, including histamine. This is what produces the allergy symptoms. This allergy reaction can also affect the lungs and respiratory system, creating more mucus, making it more difficult to breathe, and COPD conditions even worse.  

Even though seasonal allergens are something no one can control, taking these 4 tips can help lower your chance of worsening symptoms and avoiding more complications. 

1. Checking the air quality and pollen count in your area.

Using sites like pollen.com or airnow.gov, can help you decide how much outdoor time you can limit yourself to. Knowing before you go can be great so you can enjoy the outdoors when pollen count is low but also staying indoors and protecting your health when the count is high.  

2. Taking over-the-counter medication.

Always ask your doctor what would be best for you but medications like Benadryl or Zyrtec, can be used to stop your immune system from reacting to the allergens thus stopping the symptoms. Starting allergy medicine before seasonal allergies begin can also help protect your immune system at a stronger rate. 

3. Keep your home environment clean.

Having a consistent cleaning schedule is great but taking a few extra steps can help lower your risk of allergens staying in your home.  

• A great filtration system in your ac or investing in a quality air filter for your home can improve your quality of air and keep allergens out. 

• Keeping your house clutter-free to have less dust particles trapped in places or floating around your home.  

• Unfortunately, pet hair can also hold dander so it would be best to keep them away from sleeping areas.

• Clothes can also collect pollen and allergens from outside so changing into clean ones as soon as you get home from being outside all day can help keep your house clean.  

4. The last and most important tip is to always talk to your doctor about other and better options. 

Over-the-counter medicine can help but it’s best to know what’s right for you depending on your condition. There are inhalers or medications that your doctor can prescribe you, possibly being a better option for your health. Patients will stop taking their medications when they feel better but staying consistent with your medication is key to keeping your allergies under control.