Seasonal allergies (hay fever): symptoms, what helps, and when to get care

• Sneezing
• A runny or stuffy nose
• Itchy nose, mouth, eyes or throat
• Watery eyes
• Cough, a sore throat or clogged ears
• Feeling tired or cranky, or a headache

Pollen counts are often higher on hot, dry, windy days, and lower on cool, rainy days.

• Stay away from pollen as much as you can, for example by staying inside when pollen counts are high.
• Rinse your nose with salt water (saline) to wash out mucus. If you make it at home, use distilled water or water that was boiled and then cooled, not water straight from the tap.
• Steroid nose sprays work best for most people. They work best when used every day.
• Allergy pills (antihistamines) help many people. Some can make you sleepy, so do not drive after taking those.
• Allergy eye drops can ease itchy, watery eyes.
• Allergy shots can help if other treatments are not enough. An allergist gives them.

Call 911 for trouble breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, swelling of the lips, tongue or face, a tight throat or trouble swallowing, or fainting. These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction.

Also get urgent or emergency care right away for hives with feeling very sick, swelling that gets worse fast, or new swelling while you take a blood pressure medicine called an ACE inhibitor or an ARB.

If you are in Virginia or West Virginia, you can start a visit online at any time. It is for adults and children 4 and older (with a parent or legal guardian) with a typical allergy flare who want symptom relief.

A board-certified physician reviews your answers. If medicine is right for you, the doctor can send a prescription to your pharmacy. If you need to be seen in person, the doctor will tell you.

It is not the right fit if you have:

• Any of the emergency signs above
• Any of the urgent signs above
• Hives or a rash spreading across the body
• Dizziness
• A high fever, or symptoms that feel more like a serious infection
• Your first allergy symptoms ever, with no past diagnosis

Visits start at $59. You see the price before you pay, and you do not need insurance.