Giselle Mosnaim
Thank you for your question! If you already know what you are allergic to, and what time of year your allergies bother you, it is helpful to start taking your allergy medications 2 weeks beforehand. That way you are being proactive and preventing the symptoms from getting out of hand.

Giselle Mosnaim
This is a very important question. Intranasal steroids are the most effective allergy medications for many people. If you are on long term Flonase, or other intranasal steroid medication, it is important to have regular conversations as well as eye and nose exams with your health care provider. They may also recommend that you see an eye specialist for further evaluation.

Giselle Mosnaim
A usual course of allergy shots takes four to five years to complete. During this time, you receive regular shots containing tiny amounts of allergens. The goal is to change your body's response to these allergens, so that you have less symptoms and need for allergy medications long term. These effects are generally long lasting.

Giselle Mosnaim
Yes, if you have seasonal asthma, it is often recommended to take a controller medication such as Symbicort regularly during your allergy season only. However, please talk with your doctor to individualize the treatment plan to best meet your needs.

Giselle Mosnaim
Sometimes a person's allergies can get worse, and the medicine that used to help is not enough. You can add a Benadryl on bad days, but this medicine can make you sleepy. Please do not take it if you will be driving. You may want to talk with your doctor about other allergy medication options that do not cause sedation.

Giselle Mosnaim
Tree season in our area is usually from March through June. However, because weather conditions vary from year to year, so do tree pollen levels. As a general guide, you could consider stopping the medicine at the end of June.

Giselle Mosnaim
While we do not have clear evidence about how well they work, some people prefer alternative treatments for allergies. These include: Stinging Nettle, Tinospora Cordifolia, Cat's Claw, GoldenSeal, locally produced honey, probiotics, and acupuncture. Other home remedies that may help to reduce discomfort are nasal saline rinses and to stay well hydrated.

Giselle Mosnaim
Eye allergies can be very bothersome, and you have already taken the correct measures by switching from contacts to glasses and started allergy eye drops. We are currently in tree and grass pollen season, which can both aggravate eye allergies in addition to the dog. You may want to consider preservative-free over the counter artificial tears, speaking with your primary care doctor about adding a 24-hour antihistamine tablet, antileukotriene tablet, or intranasal steroid spray, or going to see an allergist for environmental allergy testing and possible allergy shots.

Giselle Mosnaim
Sometimes people get itchy skin and hives, or itchy eyes, ears, nose, and throat with seasonal allergies. You may want to try an over the counter 24 hour antihistamine, or talk to your primary care doctor or see an allergist for further evaluation if the symptoms do not improve.