Last updated on May 2, 2022
Fall has arrived along with fall allergies. With the cooler temperatures and color-changing leaves also comes mold and pollen. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 40-60 million people are affected by allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever. Common symptoms include sneezing, itchy eyes and stuffy or runny nose. Doctors must prepare for the influx of patients they will treat during this season.
There are many ways to treat allergies with and without medication. After being outside, people should wash their clothes and take a shower to remove any pollen. Wearing sunglasses to protect their eyes from pollen and changing their air condition filter will minimize exposure to allergens. Many over-the-counter nasal sprays and oral antihistamines are very effective; however, some require a prescription.
If none of these therapies work, immunotherapy, commonly known as allergy shots, can be a great option. A small amount of the allergen is injected in increasing doses, so that immunity can build up. Injections are administered one or two times each week for the first three to six months. Once the effective dose is reached, the maintenance phase begins, in which shots are received every two to four weeks. Maintenance can last between three and five years.
Whether immunotherapy is self-injected or provided at a physician’s office, it’s important to safely dispose of the used syringes. Sharps Compliance offers sharps containers with prepaid mailback packaging. Container sizes range from one quart to three gallons. Once they are filled, they are simply packaged and mailed by either handing them to the mail carrier, dropping them off at the local post office or scheduling a USPS priority pickup online. Sharps’ mailback services are convenient, affordable solutions for sharps disposal. Physicians also have access to SharpsTracer, an online portal that provides tracking and proof of treatment. SharpsTracer is available 24/7 and gives complete cradle-to-grave documentation.
Sharps Compliance also offers route-based pickup services for our business customers. Depending on medical waste volume, we are able to customize a solution to best fit each facility’s medical waste needs.