Allergies to grass and pollen peak from March to June, which means those beautiful spring days can send allergy sufferers running indoors. 

Although allergies cannot be cured, you can get relief. Sutter Walk-In Care is open every day from 8:00 am — 8:00 pm to help you manage your allergy-related symptoms and get back to enjoying your day.

Schedule your appointment ahead of time.

Symptoms

Symptoms for seasonal allergies, also called hay fever, may include:

• Difficulty breathing or asthma
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Occasional sneezing
• Mild or severe skin rashes

These symptoms may also be caused by contact with poison ivy and poison oak, which you’re more likely to be exposed to while outside during the spring and summer months. 

More serious symptoms may be signs of a sinus infection (sinusitis), which can be caused by bacteria, a virus or untreated allergies.

Sinus infection symptoms may include:

• Cough
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Green or yellow mucus
• Pressure behind the eyes and cheeks

When you visit Sutter Walk-In Care, our clinicians will evaluate and diagnose you to make sure you go home with an effective treatment plan that will get you back to enjoying life.

Treatments

Depending on your medical history, your allergy treatment plan may include:

• Antihistamines
• Steroid nasal sprays
• Allergy shots

We will refer you to an allergist if we think allergy shots are your best option. The allergist will identify what you are allergic to and give you injections based on your specific allergies. The injections will help to desensitize you to the allergens over time.

For sinus infections, we may prescribe antibiotics, or recommend over-the-counter decongestants or mucus thinners to help you alleviate some of the uncomfortable symptoms.

Tips for Managing Allergies

Our experts recommend these tips for managing allergy symptoms:

• Try to avoid places where known allergy triggers are present.
• Keep your windows closed during morning and early evening hours when pollen levels are the highest.
• Limit outdoor activities during these hours in the spring. Exercise inside if this interrupts your usual schedule.
• Avoid exposure to non-seasonal allergens by carefully cleaning your home.
• Use a HEPA filter air purifier in your bedroom, especially if you have pets.
• Keep pets off your bed.
• Use a hypo-allergenic HEPA pillow and/or mattress cover to decrease exposure to dust and dust mites.
• Use over-the-counter antihistamines early in the allergy season to prevent severe allergic reactions.

Call Sutter Walk-In Care at (800) 972-5547 to check for availability and schedule an appointment, or just stop by. All adults and any child at least 18-months of age or older are welcomed at Sutter Walk-In Care.