Dealing with Workplace Allergies

Don't let allergies disrupt your work life. Allergy symptoms are a common reason for work absences. First, identify your allergies with specialist tests. Then, limit your allergen exposure. Request changes in your office environment, like removing allergen-trapping items. If workplace changes aren't possible, consider non-drowsy allergy medications. Opt for targeted medications to address specific symptoms. Be proactive – take allergy medications regularly to stay productive and symptom-free. Manage your allergies and boost your performance at work.
allergies closeup

Dealing with allergy symptoms at work has always been a challenge. In recent years, sniffling at work will raise an extra eyebrow or two. You may be surprised to know that allergies are one of the most common reasons adults miss work.  This is especially true during seasons when allergens are at their peak. Here are a few ways to manage your allergies while in the workplace.

Identify Workplace Allergies

The first step to managing your allergies is to know what they are. You can identify exactly what you are allergic to by taking allergy tests from a certified specialist. Once you have an accurate assessment of your allergies, you can determine a plan for how to minimize your exposure to them.

Start to think about where you encounter your allergies most, at home or at work. Once you have accurately identified your allergies, you can make a plan for how to minimize your exposure to them in different areas, including the workplace.

Limit Your Allergen Exposure

One way to begin managing your symptoms is by avoiding exposure to your allergens as much as possible. By avoiding exposure, you avoid triggering your body’s immune response to your allergens. This means that you won’t have any allergy symptoms to manage in the first place.

However, this is easier said than done. Unlike in the home, we can’t always control our work environment. If you must have exposure to your allergies in the workplace, there are still things that you can do to try to manage your symptoms and keep your allergies under control.

Improve Your Office Environment

You may have some options for improving your office environment to make it more compatible with your allergies. For example, you might ask for the carpet or other soft furnishings and items near your office space to be removed or replaced. Soft items are known for collecting allergens like dust and pollen, and replacing them is a great place to start managing your allergy symptoms.

You could also look for places that have water damage or mold in the office and ask to have them fixed if they are triggering your symptoms. Making workplace changes like these is a great start for dealing with workplace allergies at the root of the problem.

If changes like these aren’t possible in your workplace, or if you have moderate to severe allergies and need more to keep them under control, you may look for allergy medication.

Choose the Right Medications

Medications are a great way to manage allergy symptoms like sneezing, headaches, itchy eyes, and stuffy or runny noses. However, there are so many different allergy medications out there that it can be difficult to choose the right one. Each medication brings its own unique side effects, duration, and effectiveness.

The most common side effect of allergy medications is drowsiness. However, feeling drowsy at work is not ideal for being productive. It’s important to look for allergy medications that are non-drowsy.

You could also try looking for medications to treat the individual symptoms that you are experiencing rather than using systemic allergy medications. For example, you can use eye drops to treat watery eyes or nasal sprays to treat a stuffy nose.

The key to taking allergy medications is to be proactive. Using your allergy medications regularly is the most effective way to manage your symptoms and be more effective at work, rather than only taking allergy medications when your symptoms are really bad.

How Can We Help?

Work Health Solutions offers comprehensive healthcare solutions for your medical needs. Our qualified team treats patients and employers alike and always provides top-quality service. Our quality service is backed by years of experience working with academic and research institutions, corporate healthcare, Fortune 25 companies, small governments, and local businesses. Reach out today with any questions you may have about how we can assist you!

Work Health Solutions

Work Health Solutions

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Work Health Solutions is dedicated to preserving a safe work environment and improving existing programs and care for local, regional and national organizations.

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Dr. Glen Cheng

A physician-attorney with a dedication to healthcare innovation, informatics, and digital health.

  • Currently spearheads employee health protection and promotion within the VA Pittsburgh Health Care System.
  • Trained in residency at Harvard, achieving board certification as a physician; also a licensed patent attorney with experience as FDA regulatory counsel.
  • Co-founded Acceleromics, a consulting firm providing clinical and regulatory guidance to digital health startups.

Erin Davis

 Chief Clinical Officer at Work Health Solutions, certified in Adult-Gerontology (AGNP-C) and Athletic Training (ATC).

  • Oversees clinical operations and ensures high clinical standards across the company’s national field staff.
  • Former Manager of Clinic Operations and Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner at Stanford University Occupational Health Center (SUOHC).
  • Specialized in treating occupational injuries and illnesses, and provided medical surveillance and travel medicine consults at Stanford and SLAC National Accelerator Lab.
  • Dedicated to sports and occupational injury treatment and prevention.
  • Assistant Clinical Faculty at UCSF, mentoring students in clinical rotations within the Adult Gerontology and Occupational and Environmental Health Program.
  • Holds leadership roles as Treasurer and President Elect of the California El Camino Real Association of Occupational Health Nurses (CECRAOHN), affiliated with the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN).

Dr. Robert Goldsmith

Founder and President of NBS Healthcare Group, with a focus on innovation in healthcare consulting.

  • Previous role as Executive Director for Employee Health at Novartis Services, Inc., leading health services and clinical support.
  • Instrumental in creating an integrated healthcare system at Novartis.
  • Former private practice in internal medicine in Stamford, Connecticut, and Medical Director consultant for GTE Corporation.
  • Transitioned to GE as a Global Medical Director in 2000.
  • Holds a medical degree from Albert Einstein College, an MPH from the University of Connecticut, and completed training at Greenwich Hospital and Yale-New Haven Medical Center.
  • Assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at the Vagelos School of Medicine, Columbia University.
  • Serves as a team physician for high school athletes in Stamford.
  • Published works on occupational health risks, primary prevention, and exercise-induced asthma.