6 tips for managing seasonal allergies

Key takeaways

• Seasonal allergies happen when your immune system reacts to allergens like pollen, grass, and ragweed. They cause symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes.
• Antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays, and eye drops can help manage symptoms, and starting treatment 2 to 4 weeks before allergy season may prevent severe reactions.
• Long-term relief may come from allergen immunotherapy, which trains your immune system to tolerate allergens. Treatment typically lasts 3 to 5 years, with many people experiencing significant symptom reduction within the first year.

Overview

Seasonal allergies are very common, often appearing as the weather gets warmer in the spring and summer. They typically appear as a reaction to allergens that are more common at this time, including grass, pollen, and ragweed.

Allergies can cause many uncomfortable symptoms, including sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes. However, your allergies don’t need to keep you indoors all summer. Finding the right combination of medications and lifestyle shifts can help manage your symptoms effectively.

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1. Find the right medication

There are several medications available to treat allergies. Many of these are available over the counter (OTC), though stronger drugs often need a doctor’s prescription. They also come in different forms depending on what your symptoms are.

• Antihistamines: Antihistamines stop the production of histamine, the substance that your body releases when it encounters an allergen. They’re commonly available OTC. Common examples include cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), and loratadine (Claritin). A stronger prescription option is desloratadine (Clarinex).
• Steroid nasal sprays: These prescription medications work by reducing swelling in the linings of your nose and sinuses, opening your airways and making it easier to breathe. Common examples of these include: fluticasone (Xhance), mometasone (Nasonex), and budesonide (Rhinocort).
• Nasal decongestants: You might also try OTC nasal decongestants like oxymetazoline (Vicks Sinex), but these can only be used for 7 days at a time, as your nose can get used to the medications. This may lead to worsening congestion.
• Eye drops: The most effective eye drops for allergies will combine antihistamines, which can quickly treat your symptoms, and mast cell stabilizers, which can prevent the release of chemicals that cause allergic reactions. Examples include olopatadine (Pataday), alcaftadine (Lastacaft), and bepotastine (Bepreve).

Pro tip: Stock up on your meds in advance of allergy season so you’re ready when the time comes to use them.

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Can you combine allergy medications?

You can combine different types of allergy medications, which may help improve your treatment.

Some 2024/2025 guidelines recommend the use of a nasal spray containing a combination of azelastine hydrochloride, an antihistamine, and fluticasone propionate, a steroid. The drug is called Dymista. Combining these two types of treatment has been shown to have a better effect than either drug alone.

You can also take two types of allergy medications together, as long as the two drugs are from different drug classes. Make sure to never combine two of the same medication type, such as two antihistamines. This can increase the risk of severe side effects or even lead to overdose.

2. Time your treatment

You don’t need to wait until your symptoms fully kick in to start treatment. Some allergy treatments take some time to build up to their full effect, so starting your treatment before allergy season gets into full swing may help prevent severe symptoms.

For example, steroid nasal sprays take up to 2 weeks of continuous use to reach their full effect. What’s more, some research suggests that treatment with fluticasone 4 weeks before allergy season can significantly reduce allergy symptoms, so pretreatment with this medication can be very effective.

Online care services, including Optum Perks Online Care, may make getting treatment easier. With these services, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your symptoms, and a US-licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after to prescribe a treatment plan.

3. Manage your environment

The best defense is to reduce your exposure to triggers before they activate an immune response:

• Track pollen counts: You can use local weather apps to check daily pollen levels. Pollen usually peaks in the morning and on windy, dry days. Plan your outdoor errands for late afternoon or after rain.
• Limit pollen exposure: Wear a hat and sunglasses when you are outside to keep pollen out of your hair and eyes. Keep windows closed during high-pollen days and use an air purifier with a HEPA filter.
• Don’t bring pollen indoors: When you come inside, you may bring the outside with you. Strip off your outer layers, wash your hands, and consider a quick shower to rinse pollen from your hair and skin so you don’t sleep in it.

4. Flush out the allergens

Natural remedies may help complement allergy treatment. Nasal irrigation, or sinus rinsing, can be an effective way to loosen built-up mucus in your sinuses to relieve pressure. It can also remove allergens like pollen or pet dander if that’s what triggers your allergies. It involves using lukewarm, sterile saltwater to flush out your sinuses.

You can do this with nasal irrigation devices such as:

• neti pots (little teapots with long spouts)
• bulb syringes
• squeeze bottles

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these are safe and effective when you use them correctly and clean them every time.

5. Consider long-term treatment

While antihistamines and nasal sprays are helpful for managing symptoms, they don’t change how your body reacts to the environment. If you’re tired of the seasonal cycle of sneezing, allergen immunotherapy is a long-term treatment that can actually train your immune system to stop overreacting to allergens.

Immunotherapy works by exposing your body to tiny, controlled amounts of the specific allergen that triggers your symptoms. Over time, your doctor gradually increases the dose. This teaches your immune system to build up a tolerance so that when you encounter pollen in the future, your body doesn’t overreact.

There are two forms of allergy immunotherapy:

• Allergy shots: These are injections given by a healthcare professional at a clinic. At first, they’re given every week, but eventually, you’ll only need to get them on a monthly basis.
• Sublingual tablets: These are tablets that dissolve under your tongue. They target a specific allergen causing your symptoms. They’re taken daily during allergy season, or just before.

Most people start with a buildup phase that lasts 3 to 6 months, followed by a maintenance phase, with total treatment usually lasting 3 to 5 years. Many patients experience significant symptom reduction within the first year.

The goal is long-term remission, meaning even after you stop the treatment, your allergies stay away for years (or even for good).

6. Save on your medications

If you’re heading to the pharmacy to stock up on your allergy meds, you can speak with a doctor or pharmacist for strategies to save on your treatment. For example, Optum Perks can help you find coupons and compare prices at local pharmacies to ensure you’re getting the best deal on your allergy relief.

Optum Perks now also offers reduced pricing on over 60 branded medications, and consumers can now save an average of 22.5%, or $91, per prescription. The final price of your medications may be discounted at the pharmacy even further than the offers listed on our site.

To see your final cost, simply present your Optum Perks card to the pharmacist — your savings will be applied in real time based on our most current discounts.

Summary

Seasonal allergies can feel like an inevitable part of the changing seasons, but they don’t have to dictate your life.

By combining proactive lifestyle habits, such as tracking pollen counts and rinsing away allergens, with a strategic medication plan or immunotherapy, you can significantly reduce your discomfort in the long term.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.