CORONAVIRUS AND YOUR ALLERGIES

Nahndi Bush, M.D. • May 26, 2020

CORONAVIRUS AND YOUR ALLERGIES

During less trying times, Fall Allergies is that time of the year when many people begin to gear

up for their battle with seasonal allergies. While ragweed plagues many in the Northeast in the

fall, March and April are prime season for many trees to release their pollen. This is when

people are plagued by the itching in their eyes, nose and throat that is often referred to as

“ hay fever”. Other symptoms include runny nose, nasal and sinus congestion and “stopped up”

ears.

Why is this problem particularly important right now? The COVID-19 virus is largely

spread by contact of infected droplets from a surface to our hands, then to the eyes, nose and

mouth. It can be very difficult to restrain oneself from rubbing itchy eyes and noses, especially

for children. Moreover, if one does carry the virus and is prone to frequent sneezing, they

increase the risk of transmitting infection to others around them. At the very least, that

sneezing and sniffling will likely raise great alarm among nearby people.

Now more than ever, it is important to keep allergy symptoms under control. Important

measures include:

Using appropriate allergy medication and antihistamine eye drops.
Keeping plenty of clean tissues handy to cover sneezes, and sanitizer to keep hands clean.
Considering air purifiers in the home.
Know your triggers, and how to avoid them when possible – allergy testing can be an important tool here.
Wear a mask and sunglasses outdoors to limit pollen contact with the eyes and face, especially when doing yard work.
Consider doing outdoor activities early or late in the day, when pollen counts may be lower, and checking daily pollen counts before going outdoors.

Living with allergies is never easy. Being attentive to managing them can definitely make

life more enjoyable, but more importantly, now it may actually help save your life and those

around you.

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