Graduation and commencement ceremonies are just a few weeks away, and if you’re graduating soon or have a soon-to-be graduate in your life, congratulations on this impressive milestone! Amidst all the pomp and circumstance, you’ll probably want to take some photos in the full regalia with all your loved ones, holding your diploma proudly. The last thing you want is to have red, watery eyes in these once-in-a-lifetime photos.
Allergy Symptoms
If you have allergies, contact with your allergy triggers can cause some symptoms that are not only uncomfortable, but certainly aren’t picturesque. Don’t let these common allergy symptoms ruin your photos:
- Runny nose
- Red nose
- Watery eyes
- Red eyes
- Sneezing
- Hives on your face
All these symptoms are caused by chemicals called histamines, which your immune system releases in response to the allergy trigger. Histamines control inflammation, leading to that itchy feeling and redness.
Prepare in Advance
Don’t be surprised by allergy symptoms; plan for them. Check the local weather forecast for the projected pollen count on the day of the ceremony. While there’s not much you can do to change the date of the ceremony to a day with a lower pollen count, you can know what to expect.
Begin taking an antihistamine daily. These over-the-counter medications block the effects of histamines, lessening your symptoms if not preventing them entirely. Antihistamines work best when they build up in your system, so start taking them now and continue taking them every day, if you aren’t already.
On Graduation Day
Graduation ceremonies often involve a bit of standing around outside. This is the opportunity for pictures, but it’s also when allergy symptoms are at their most prominent. Before and in between picture-taking, try to stand in an area that’s far from your known allergy triggers. For example, if you’re allergic to grass, don’t stand on the lawn.
Another way you can mitigate your exposure to your triggers is to cover up. Wear long sleeves to cover your arms, and wear a mask and sunglasses to protect your eyes and nose. You can also wash your hands frequently to rinse off any allergens. (Note: Hand sanitizer won’t work as well for this, as allergens aren’t germs that would be killed by hand sanitizer.)
Finally, if you start feeling a flare-up of symptoms, use quick-relief allergy medications. This could include eye rinses or eye drops, a nasal spray, a fast-working decongestant or even a handy package of tissues. Stock up before the ceremony and make sure you have your preferred medication handy.
If you have any other questions about allergy management and symptom relief, call our team at Carolina Ear Nose & Throat – Sinus and Allergy Center. We congratulate you and your family on this incredible achievement!