Do you stay inside as much as possible to avoid experiencing allergy flare-ups? If over-the-counter allergy medications have not been successful at calming the symptoms down, it might be that you need a specific type for your condition. The best way to find out which type of allergy you have is to get diagnosed by a physician, as he or she can run a few tests. A prescription allergy medication can then be prescribed to help you cope with the condition better while you are outdoors. This article will provide some helpful information in regards to suffering from an allergy.

The Possible Cause of Your Flare-Ups

Being that your flare-ups happen when you are spending time outdoors, it is likely that you are allergic to plants. One of the things that many plants contain is called pollen, which is an allergen. If you have allergic rhinitis, pollen is known to cause to it flaring up. Pollen can basically lead to the inside of your nose becoming inflamed, which then sets off an array of other symptoms. For instance, your nose might start running a lot from exposure to the allergen.

How Your Specific Allergy Can Be Diagnosed

Diagnosing an allergy will usually begin with a discussion about the symptoms you are experiencing. You will be asked about the type of plants that you are usually around when the flare-ups occur. Any allergies that members in your family are suffering from will also be discussed. To make an official diagnosis, the physician will expose you to any allergens that he or she feels is responsible for your symptoms. For example, if pollen is the suspected allergen, your skin will likely be slightly pricked and exposed to the allergen to find out if it causing symptoms to flare-up.

Common Allergy Treatment Methods

Leukotriene inhibitors are commonly prescribed to keep allergy flare-ups under control. However, it is likely that you will be prescribed a corticosteroid or fluticasone nasal spray if going around plants makes you sneeze, cough, and suffer from watery eyes. The spray is ideal for treating allergy symptoms that are commonly associated with the sinuses, which can be useful when they are out of control. All you will have to do is spray the drug into your nostrils and you should see fast results that will allow you to stay outdoors for a longer period of time. Prescription allergy drugs are much more potent than the ones that are sold over-the-counter.