September 3, 2019
Throughout the U.S., many areas are seeing high or medium-high levels of pollen. This is causing seasonal allergies for many people. Spring isn’t the only season where allergies are prevalent. If your parents are experiencing the headaches, sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, and cough that allergies bring, there are ways to help them.
Watch your parents during allergy season. If they become severe, asthma attacks can occur. If you have concerns, schedule an appointment with their doctor.
Why Are Allergies Flaring Up?
By late-August, ragweed is usually at its peak and releasing pollen. Chenopods, including dozens of types of goosefoot, are also at their peak. Grass and nettle pollen are other issues.
Rain can help lower pollen counts, but once the rain stops and the sun is back out, pollen spores travel through the air. They get into homes and can make allergy sufferers feel miserable.
How Do You Combat Allergy Season?
Allergy medications can help ease the symptoms like coughing, congestion, a runny nose, watery/itchy eyes, and sneezing, but they won’t cure your parents’ allergies. They need to take preventative measures.
Keeping the house well dusted is one step. Running a HEPA air filtration system helps. Keeping windows closed is another way to ease the symptoms.
Your parents need to keep carpets, sofas, and upholstered chairs vacuumed with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter. Wood floors should be swept and mopped daily. Wood furniture needs to be dusted with a damp cloth. You want to make sure whatever you’re using is trapping the dust and pollen and not just stirring it back into the air.
How Do You Help Them Ride Allergies Out?
Allergy medications should be used, but talk to their doctors first. Make sure over-the-counter medications don’t conflict with prescription medications they’re taking.
Make sure your parents are drinking plenty of water. Herbal teas may also help. Your parents need to drink lots of fluids to keep the mucus as watery as possible.
They may not be hungry, especially if there’s post-nasal drip going into their stomach. If that is the case, serve small snacks each hour rather than large meals.
Senior Care Services Help With Cleaning
If your parents struggle with daily activities like housework, bring in caregivers to help with daily vacuuming, dusting, and mopping. In addition to housekeeping services, caregivers can keep track of when your mom and dad take allergy medications. This keeps your parents from taking too many doses each day. Call a senior care agency to discuss pricing.
