Seasonal Allergies: How to Ease Sneezing and a Stuffy Nose When the Seasons Change
Changing seasons, humid spells or dry, dusty weather can all set off sneezing fits in people with allergic rhinitis. Here are simple things you can do at home to ease the symptoms, and when to see a doctor.
Why do allergies flare up when the seasons change?
In Vietnam, the most common seasonal allergy is allergic rhinitis: sneezing, an itchy nose, a clear runny nose, a blocked nose and sometimes itchy eyes. Common triggers are house dust and dust mites, mould (much worse in humid weather), pollen, pet dander and air pollution. Each person reacts to different triggers, so the most important step is to notice when and where your symptoms start.
1. Limit contact with allergy triggers
- On windy or dusty days, or when the air quality index (AQI) is poor, stay indoors as much as you can; wear a mask if you need to go out.
- When you come home, change your clothes and wash your face and hands; if symptoms are bad, shower and wash your hair so dust and pollen don’t stay on it.
- Keep windows closed when it’s dusty and early in the morning, when pollen and haze are usually highest.
- Wear a mask when sweeping or gardening, or ask someone else to do jobs that stir up dust.
2. Keep indoor air clean
- Have your air conditioner cleaned regularly (about every 3–6 months), because dirty filters and coils collect dust and mould.
- In humid weather, use a dehumidifier or your air conditioner’s Dry mode to keep humidity around 40–60% and limit mould.
- Consider an air purifier with a HEPA filter in the bedroom.
- Wash bedding in hot water every 1–2 weeks and use a vacuum cleaner with a filter instead of dry sweeping.
3. Rinse your nose with saline the right way
Nasal rinsing flushes out mucus and allergens and eases congestion. The simplest and safest option is ready-made 0.9% saline from a pharmacy. If you make your own, use only distilled water or water boiled for 3–5 minutes and cooled; mix 1 litre of water with 1.5 teaspoons of non-iodised salt and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Don’t use tap water or regular bottled drinking water, as it may contain microorganisms that cause infection. For children, use ready-made saline. Wash and dry the rinse bottle after every use.
4. Over-the-counter medicines — ask a pharmacist first
- Oral antihistamines (such as cetirizine, loratadine or fexofenadine) reduce sneezing, itching and a runny nose; some people still feel drowsy on them.
- Corticosteroid nasal sprays ease a blocked nose; ask a doctor if you need them long term.
- Cromolyn nasal spray works best when started before you are exposed to triggers, but it has to be used several times a day.
- Decongestants (tablets or sprays) are for short-term use only: tablets can raise blood pressure and heart rate and are not suitable for people with high blood pressure, heart disease or glaucoma, or for older adults; sprays used for more than a few days can make congestion worse. Don’t give them to children without advice.
Children, pregnant or breastfeeding women and people with long-term conditions should ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.
5. About "natural" remedies
Some herbal products (such as butterbur or spirulina) and acupuncture are promoted for allergies, but the evidence is limited and mixed. Unprocessed butterbur contains substances that can harm the liver. Ask a doctor before trying them.
6. When should you see a doctor?
See an ENT or allergy specialist if symptoms last for weeks, affect your sleep, study or work, or don’t improve with over-the-counter medicines. A doctor can do skin or blood tests to find your exact triggers and, for some people, may suggest immunotherapy (desensitisation) by injection or tablets under the tongue. Seek care straight away if you have trouble breathing, wheezing, a high fever, or thick nasal discharge with facial pain that won’t go away.
Calibee offers at-home air-conditioner cleaning and deep cleaning to help reduce dust and mould in your home. Book in the Calibee app.
LET CALIBEE TAKE CARE OF YOUR HOME
References
- Seasonal allergies: Nip them in the bud – Mayo Clinic
- Is Rinsing Your Sinuses With Neti Pots Safe? – FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
- Butterbur: Usefulness and Safety – NIH – NCCIH
This article is for general information only and does not replace a doctor's diagnosis or advice; ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine, and call 115 in an emergency.
