Seasonal Allergies and Older Adults

Allergy season is, regrettably, back. With it comes itchy eyes, congestion, running noses, and headaches for millions of Americans. While these symptoms are annoying for most of us to deal with, older adults need to take their seasonal allergies a bit more seriously.

If you’re an older adult who experiences seasonal allergies, you’re not alone. Millions of people just like you have these allergies. Continue reading to learn more about them and what you can do to reduce the impact of your seasonal allergies.

How Seasonal Allergies Impact Older Adults

Many of us simply choose to ignore our allergies until they pass. However, older adults don’t have this luxury. Seasonal allergies can impact them in several different ways, which require targeted medical interventions.

For example, seasonal allergies are notorious for causing respiratory problems that disrupt a person’s breathing. This can lead to serious complications in older adults who are already dealing with chronic issues like heart conditions or existing respiratory problems. If you’re experiencing one of these chronic conditions and have seasonal allergies, you should look to treat the allergies aggressively.

Treating Seasonal Allergies in Older Adults

Most seasonal allergies are treated with antihistamines. These medications can reduce symptoms dramatically, making it easier for the affected individual to continue with their life. However, antihistamines may not be a good option for older adults.

Antihistamines have several side effects that make them a bad option for older adults. They can raise blood pressure, cause dizziness, and cause severe mood swings. This is why doctors typically treat allergies in older adults with other medications. Nasal steroids and topical medications are preferred treatments.

Reducing Your Exposure to Seasonal Allergies

Unfortunately, there is no way to cure your allergies once they’ve gotten into your system. However, there are steps you can take to make this much less likely to happen:

• Use air purifiers in your bedroom and throughout your home if possible
• Keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible
• Try eating foods that fight inflammation, including leafy greens, Vitamin C, and apples
• Experiment with new treatments like antihistamine inhalers

Seasonal Allergies and Medicare

If you’re an older adult who suffers from seasonal allergies, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor about them. Doing so can provide you with the information that you need to have a better allergy season.

Additionally, your Medicare health insurance may cover the costs of allergy skin tests. To qualify, you will need to have a documented history of allergic reactions and show significant allergic symptoms that have not been controlled by other therapies.

If you think that you could benefit from speaking with a doctor about your allergies, you first need to figure out how you’re going to pay for it. Chances are your Medicare coverage can help.

To find out for sure, you can reach out to one of Time for 65’s partnered licensed agents. They’re the Medicare experts who can provide you with more detailed information regarding your Medicare coverage. You can get in touch with them by filling out this form or giving us a call.