Latest news with #DrPurviParikh
CNET
12-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
Why Are My Allergies Bad This Year? An Allergist Shares Relief Tips
Thanks to pollen and other tiny particles that cause inflammation, seasonal allergies have arrived -- and there's reason to believe they're getting worse. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as 60 million people in the US may have symptoms of allergic rhinitis (also called seasonal allergies or hay fever) each year. Plants spread pollen in the air as part of their reproductive cycle, often triggering seasonal allergies. These symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose and congestion, are caused by the body's overreaction to allergens it perceives as a threat. To loosen symptoms, Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist at NYU Langone Health, recommends avoiding the outdoors early in the morning, as well as opening your windows at that time. She also suggests changing clothes and showering when you get home. You can minimize other indoor allergens by getting dust mite covers, a HEPA air purifier, vacuuming and dusting frequently, and washing bedding frequently. Read more: Allergy Hacks for Pollen Season and Apps to Stay Ahead of the Game Don't Settle for Sneezes. Here's How to Combat Your Seasonal Allergies Don't Settle for Sneezes. Here's How to Combat Your Seasonal Allergies Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 8:07 Loaded : 1.22% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 8:07 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Here's How to Combat Your Seasonal Allergies How to treat seasonal allergies If you're reaching for an over-the-counter medication, make sure it's the right one by asking your pharmacist or doctor for their recommendation on an antihistamine or over-the-counter medication. A stuffy nose caused by allergies has a different cause than one caused by a cold, so you need to target your symptoms and their cause specifically. If you have severe allergies, your doctor may prescribe a nasal steroid spray or allergy shots to dampen symptoms. It's always a good idea to try your best to avoid your allergy triggers, but that doesn't mean you have to hole up inside with a box of tissues. Parikh shares a few ways to get ahead of allergy season: Take OTC antihistamines like Allegra, steroid nasal sprays, antihistamine nasal sprays and eyedrops. If you're prone to asthma, start your preventative inhalers as soon as possible. Parikh told CNET that "It's much easier to control symptoms proactively, and asthma can be dangerous if uncontrolled. If you don't know what to take, see a board-certified allergist to help you." When you come home from outside, change your clothes and take a shower to wash pollen off and decrease your exposure. Avoid being outside in the early morning, when pollen counts are highest, and keep windows closed early morning for the same reason. Other ways to lessen allergy symptoms: Use an air purifier if you're sensitive to indoor allergens. Wear a dust mask while doing yard work. Check your local weather network for pollen forecasts. 4 ways to tell you have seasonal allergies The type of pollen and how much there is largely depends on where you live. In addition to affecting the nose, pollen can cause inflammation in other areas. It's estimated that seven out of 10 people who experience nasal allergy symptoms also experience itchy, red or watery eyes. Here's how to know if your symptoms are allergy-related or not and ways to find relief. Common allergy symptoms you may experience If you think of sneezing and watery eyes when you think of seasonal allergies, you'd be on the right track. There's a good chance you have seasonal allergies if you experience any of the following common symptoms: Frequent sneezing Watery or itchy eyes Runny nose Congestion in your nose, ears or chest Postnasal drip Itchy throat Puffy eyelids Most seasonal allergies are caused by pollen from trees, grasses and weeds. If you have winter allergies, you're probably allergic to an indoor allergen like dust allergy symptoms you may experience The symptoms above are extremely common, but your allergies might show up differently. These less common symptoms may also indicate seasonal allergies: Wheezing Coughing Sudden lack of exercise endurance Mild headache Read more: 5 Ways an Air Purifier Will Boost Your Health Symptoms you shouldn't experience Remember, some of the symptoms in the first two sections may also be symptoms of a cold or the flu, so if you feel under the weather, you should visit your doctor or get tested for COVID-19. Parikh says that some symptoms are identical, like nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, dry cough and wheezing. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, there's a good chance you have a cold, COVID-19 or another virus: Fatigue Aches and pains throughout your body Weakness Severe headache Sore throat (different from the itchiness caused by allergies) If you know you're allergic to pollen, you can try an app like Zyrtec AllergyCast to check the pollen counts and see if it's a good idea (or not) to go outside. Zyrtec/Screenshot by Amanda Capritto/CNET Symptoms that show up seasonally If you have seasonal allergies, your symptoms likely arise and go away around the same time each year. For most people, seasonal allergy symptoms begin in the spring and end in the fall. You may experience allergic rhinitis in any of the four seasons, depending on your allergy triggers. Parikh shared that these plants commonly cause seasonal allergies: Spring: Grasses, such as ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, Timothy grass and Bermuda grass, and tree pollen, particularly from oak, elm, birch, cedar, willow, poplar, horse chestnut and alder trees. Summer: Weed pollens like mugwort and pigweed. Fall: Pollen from weeds is the main concern in the fall months. Many people are allergic to the pollen in ragweed, tumbleweed, pigweed, sagebrush, Russian thistle and other plants. Winter: Most people find their allergies dormant during the winter months because most plants don't pollinate during winter. If you still get watery eyes and a runny nose during cold weather, you might be allergic to indoor allergens, such as dust mites, mold or animal dander.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Top 10 'allergy capitals' of the US, plus 4 tips to manage symptoms
Allergy season is upon us, and it's bringing about some of the worst cases yet. "Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns allow plants and trees to grow in places they didn't before," according to the American Lung Association — which means a rising pollen count, and even new types of pollen. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) recently released its annual allergy report, which identifies the "most challenging cities" for those living with seasonal allergies. 19 Drug Approvals In 2024 That Had 'Big Clinical Impact,' According To Goodrx The report focuses on tree, grass and weed pollen counts throughout the year, as well as over-the-counter allergy medicine use and the availability of board-certified allergists and immunologists. The 2025 report named Wichita, Kansas, as the top allergy capital for the third year in a row, largely due to its worse-than-average tree and grass pollen. Read On The Fox News App Wichita, Kansas New Orleans, Louisiana Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Tulsa, Oklahoma Memphis, Tennessee Little Rock, Arkansas Raleigh, North Carolina Richmond, Virginia Greenville, South Carolina Greensboro, North Carolina Honey And Allergy Relief: Do These Two Really Go Together? New types of pollen — and larger amounts of them — can trigger allergy symptoms for people even if they haven't previously suffered from them. Dr. Purvi Parikh, who specializes in infectious disease allergy and immunology at NYU Langone, spoke with Fox News Digital about the best ways to keep allergies at bay as the seasons change. For those who suffer from seasonal allergies, Parikh recommends starting medications early. "One of the most important things that we recommend is to use a 24-hour antihistamine, because they're longer-acting and can really help control symptoms," she told Fox News Digital. Eye drops and antihistamine nasal sprays can also help with itchy eyes and stuffy noses, respectively. Heart Disease Death Risk Raised By Common Household Products, Study Finds "The other important thing to remember with over-the-counter medications is that if you're having breathing issues, like coughing, wheezing or chest tightness, those are all signs that you might have asthma," Parikh cautioned. In that case, she recommends seeing a medical professional to make sure you're using the right medication. When coming inside after spending time outdoors, Parikh recommends changing clothes and taking a shower to wash off any pollen and decrease exposure. Washing bedsheets once a week in warm water can also help limit exposure to allergens, according to experts. As the pollen count is highest in the mornings, Parikh said it's best to stay indoors early in the day. "Keep windows closed early in the morning for the same reason," she advised. 9 Over The Counter Remedies To Help You Beat Spring Allergies The pollen count surges again in the late afternoon and early evening hours. Different plants and trees release pollen at different times, so symptoms can vary depending on where you live, according to the AAFA. Trees generally produce the most pollen from February through April. In some southern states, however, they can begin producing the allergen as early as December or January and peak at multiple times during the year, the same source stated. While stuffy noses and dry eyes are often chalked up to allergies, Parikh noted that other factors could be at play. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "Colds and viruses and allergies can have a lot of identical symptoms," she told Fox News Digital. "Allergies tend to last longer … so if you feel like you're sick for the whole month of April and May … it may be more likely that it's allergies." For more Health articles, visit Those who are unsure whether their symptoms are due to allergies or illness should consult a doctor, Parikh article source: Top 10 'allergy capitals' of the US, plus 4 tips to manage symptoms
Fox News
11-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Top 10 'allergy capitals' of the US, plus 4 tips to manage symptoms
Allergy season is upon us, and it's bringing about some of the worst cases yet. "Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns allow plants and trees to grow in places they didn't before," according to the American Lung Association — which means a rising pollen count, and even new types of pollen. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) recently released its annual allergy report, which identifies the "most challenging cities" for those living with seasonal allergies. The report focuses on tree, grass and weed pollen counts throughout the year, as well as over-the-counter allergy medicine use and the availability of board-certified allergists and immunologists. The 2025 report named Wichita, Kansas, as the top allergy capital for the third year in a row, largely due to its worse-than-average tree and grass pollen. New types of pollen — and larger amounts of them — can trigger allergy symptoms for people even if they haven't previously suffered from them. Dr. Purvi Parikh, who specializes in infectious disease allergy and immunology at NYU Langone, spoke with Fox News Digital about the best ways to keep allergies at bay as the seasons change. For those who suffer from seasonal allergies, Parikh recommends starting medications early. "One of the most important things that we recommend is to use a 24-hour antihistamine, because they're longer-acting and can really help control symptoms," she told Fox News Digital. Eye drops and antihistamine nasal sprays can also help with itchy eyes and stuffy noses, respectively. "The other important thing to remember with over-the-counter medications is that if you're having breathing issues, like coughing, wheezing or chest tightness, those are all signs that you might have asthma," Parikh cautioned. In that case, she recommends seeing a medical professional to make sure you're using the right medication. When coming inside after spending time outdoors, Parikh recommends changing clothes and taking a shower to wash off any pollen and decrease exposure. Washing bedsheets once a week in warm water can also help limit exposure to allergens, according to experts. As the pollen count is highest in the mornings, Parikh said it's best to stay indoors early in the day. "Keep windows closed early in the morning for the same reason," she advised. The pollen count surges again in the late afternoon and early evening hours. Different plants and trees release pollen at different times, so symptoms can vary depending on where you live, according to the AAFA. Trees generally produce the most pollen from February through April. In some southern states, however, they can begin producing the allergen as early as December or January and peak at multiple times during the year, the same source stated. While stuffy noses and dry eyes are often chalked up to allergies, Parikh noted that other factors could be at play. "Colds and viruses and allergies can have a lot of identical symptoms," she told Fox News Digital. "Allergies tend to last longer … so if you feel like you're sick for the whole month of April and May … it may be more likely that it's allergies." For more Health articles, visit Those who are unsure whether their symptoms are due to allergies or illness should consult a doctor, Parikh advised.
