Fall sports are coming up fast, and that means it’s time to think about how you’ll play your favorite outdoor sports without getting bogged down by symptoms. Whether you’re excited to play touch football in Bob Woodruff Park or bounce around a birdie during a game of badminton, fall ragweed pollen can lead to itchy eyes, hives, sneezing, coughing, wheezing and more. Let’s look at a few ways you can enjoy your sports without adding allergies to your team roster.
Wear Goggles
If your allergies are severe, wearing goggles or glasses while you play outside can reduce eye irritation from floating pollen.
Use Eye Drops
Eye drops reduce inflammation from allergies. Pack some eye drops and administer them if your eyes itch or sting or if your vision goes blurry. Do your best to insert the drops without touching your eyes or the skin around them.
Take Oral Allergy Medication
Antihistamines and decongestants can reduce your symptoms and make your game more enjoyable. Antihistamines block the release of histamine, the symptom-causing chemical that your immune system triggers. Decongestants shouldn’t be used for too many days in a row, but they can help you breathe more clearly during your games.
Consider Allergy Cream
If you break out in hives, an antihistamine allergy cream can reduce itching and inflammation.
Wear Long Sleeves
One of the best parts of fall sports is that the weather is usually cool enough to wear long sleeves. Long sleeves will protect your skin from developing hives. It’s especially critical to cover up if you’re going to stretch in the grass.
Consider Immunotherapy
Allergy immunotherapy is a long-term treatment approach that slowly desensitizes your immune system to the allergens you’re sensitive to.[1] Although the treatment takes time, being able to enjoy your outdoor sports with fewer symptoms next year will make the wait worth it.
If allergy symptoms are interrupting an otherwise perfect day playing football in the crisp autumn air, contact Collin County ENT today. We can schedule an allergy test for you and get you started on the right treatment path for greater relief this season and beyond.
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2024, May 9). Allergy shots. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/allergy-shots/about/pac-20392876