Managing Spring Allergies in Seniors Relief Tips That Really Work

March 10, 2026

Reviewed By: Rebecca Anderson, FNP-BC

Those who suffer from seasonal allergies can likely all relate to the struggle of Spring rolling around each year. The enjoyment of taking walks outside, watching flowers bloom, and breathing in fresh air is suppressed by the disturbance of a runny nose and itchy eyes. And seniors may experience the brunt of it all. Did you know that allergies can worsen with age? This is because the aging immune system can aggravate allergy symptoms, or even develop new ones that weren’t present in childhood [1]. This can cause discomfort in your daily life and lead to poorer health outcomes. If you’d like to learn more about managing your allergies this Spring, keep reading!

Common Allergy Symptoms

Many individuals struggle to differentiate allergy symptoms from flu and cold symptoms. Though some overlap, the most common symptoms indicating that you are experiencing seasonal allergies—also called “allergic rhinitis”— include [2]:

Sneezing
Irritated, watery eyes
Itchy eyes, nose, and throat
Stuffy, runny nose
Fatigue
Cough
Congestion

As you can see, many of these symptoms overlap with other respiratory conditions, such as colds, the flu, and COVID-19. When you experience seasonal allergies, the symptoms are likely to come after encountering what you are allergic to. Common Spring allergens include grass pollen and tree pollen [3]. So, if you experience symptoms right after taking a walk outside or sitting in the grass, it’s likely that you are having an allergic reaction. If you are unsure whether your symptoms stem from allergies or another illness, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional or take a test, if available (like a COVID-19 test).

Allergy Relief Tips

To help relieve annoying allergy symptoms, try to avoid the outdoors during high-pollen times of year. To understand how high the pollen count is each day, you can check online weather resources like Weather.com. This site has an “allergy forecast” that breaks down the amount of each kind of pollen allergen in the air, including tree pollen, grass pollen, and ragweed pollen. When the pollen count is high, it’s better to do indoor activities to avoid aggravating allergy symptoms. Keep your windows closed and use air purifiers to ensure no pollen gets inside.

If you do go outside, take a shower, wash your face, and change your clothes once you’re back home, so no pollen is left on your skin. Excess pollen left on your skin can trigger allergies, even though you’re not outside anymore. And finally, staying hydrated can help alleviate allergy symptoms because your body makes more allergy chemicals (histamines) when you don’t drink enough water [4].

Safe Treatment Options

There are many seasonal allergy treatment options available for you to choose from. Before you make your choice, consult with your doctor. This is especially important for seniors, who are often taking many prescription medications at the same time. Some allergy treatments may interact with existing prescriptions, so it is important to inform your doctor before you start taking any kind of allergy medication—even if it is over-the-counter.

Some common allergy medicines include antihistamines, corticosteroids, and decongestants. Antihistamines block histamine, the chemical the immune system releases that produces allergy symptoms [5]. These come in nasal sprays, pills, eye drops, etc. Corticosteroids decrease inflammation caused by allergies and come in nasal sprays, eye drops, pills, inhalers, and skin creams [5]. Decongestants allow quick relief from nasal and sinus congestion, and come in nasal sprays and pills [5].

Another treatment for allergies is non-emergency allergy shots. This is not the same as emergency epinephrine shots. Non-emergency allergy shots are typically given a couple of times a week to treat allergies [5]. Non-emergency allergy shots are more commonly used for moderate to severe allergies that are not adequately controlled by standard medications, rather than for mild allergies.

Like any medication, all of these treatments have potential side effects. Seniors and/or caregivers should keep an eye on side effects, which may include drowsiness, dry mouth, headaches, dizziness, diarrhea, and more [6].

When to See a Doctor About Allergies

It may be difficult to understand when your seasonal allergies are bad enough to make a doctor’s appointment. As a general rule of thumb, when seasonal allergies have worsened over time, are starting to interfere with daily functioning—like sleeping, breathing, or working, and over-the-counter medications aren’t working, it’s a good idea to have your doctor advise on the best next steps [7].

It’s essential to consult your doctor because allergies can exacerbate other conditions, such as asthma and infections. Allergies can exacerbate asthma symptoms, such as trouble breathing and chest tightness, leading to various complications [8]. Likewise, allergies can worsen the symptoms of a sinus infection, such as post-nasal drip, cough, and facial and sinus pressure [9].

Don’t Let Spring Allergies Slow You Down

By following the previously mentioned tips, you may be able to improve your allergy symptoms and even eliminate them altogether. By understanding your symptoms, knowing your treatment options, making lifestyle changes, and speaking to your doctor, allergy relief may be more attainable than you think. Hang in there, and happy Spring!

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