If you’re constantly sneezing and can’t seem to catch breath, there is a good chance you have a condition that affects a large number of people all around the world which is called allergic rhinitis or hay fever. However, even though the name may imply it, one doesn’t have to be near hay in order to have symptoms and, despite what you may think, it’s usually not accompanied by fever. The condition, usually connected to allergies and changes in the season, includes symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, red, itchy, and watery eyes, and swelling around the eyes. However, not only does hay fever occur all year long, it can really influence your everyday life and mood. For many modern general practice professionals, allergic rhinitis can be quite a struggle to treat due to the constant existence of pollen in the air and the obvious impossibility for avoiding their presence. Still, there are many things you can do to protect yourself before visiting a trustworthy doctor.
Skin Test Can Help You in Diagnosis
If you recognized one or several of the symptoms mentioned above, you should go and see your family doctor. If you’re on vacation, there are numerous healthcare professionals specialized in treating tourists. The doctor should direct you towards an allergist, who is specialized in treating conditions that happen as a result of an allergy. Your allergist may recommend a skin test, during which small amounts of suspected allergens are introduced into your skin. Skin testing is the easiest way of identifying allergens and can be done in any modern health center. If the test confirms your doubts, the next step is finding the best treatment for your condition.
Avoidance and Treatment
When it comes to dealing with tricky health issues such as allergies, one should be careful and try avoiding the allergens that trigger symptoms. Some of the advice any trustworthy doctor will give is you is to avoid using window fans that can draw pollens and molds into the house; trying not to rub your eyes since it can irritate them and make your symptoms worse. Also, try reducing exposure to dust mites, especially in the room where you sleep. One of the advices anyone should follow, regarding health condition or not, is to limit exposure to mold, keep the humidity in your home low and make sure you keep the hygiene on a high level at all times. If you are a pet owner, this might aggravate the problem but, no worries, there are still several things you can do so that you stay healthy, one of the crucial ones is to wash your hands immediately after petting animals and wash your clothes after visiting friends with pets.
Ask for Professional Advice
If any of these advices prove not to be useful for you, the best solution is to visit the closest medical clinic in Amsterdam and wait for healthcare professionals to provide you with proper treatment. These mostly include medications that reduce nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing and itching and they are available in many forms — oral tablets, liquid medication, nasal sprays and eye drops. If you recognize any of the symptoms stated above, be sure to schedule a doctor appointment!