Survival Strategies for Seasonal Allergies
Experts are calling this one of the worst allergy seasons on
record; even people who have not noticed problems before are reporting
symptoms. Seasonal allergies affect more
than 35 million people in the
What is it? – Blame the “boys”. Seasonal allergies are caused by pollens, the tiny egg-shaped male cells of flowering plants. Large, waxy pollens from colorful flowers rarely are the culprits because those “bright” flowers attract bees and other insects to spread their pollen for them (clever aren’t they?). On the other hand the “dull” trees, grasses and low-growing weeds have small, light, dry pollens that are well-suited for spread by the wind. Trees pollinate earliest and cause many spring allergy symptoms. Grasses are next in the cycle and bring on later spring and summer allergies. Last in the cycle are the weeds which we’ll see causing late summer and fall allergy problems. Mold spores can be air-borne as well, and can vary by season or cause allergy symptoms any time of year. Of course, rain and damp conditions can worsen the presence of mold spores. (Animal dander, dust mites, dyes and a host of other offenders can cause allergies all year, but that’s another article!)
What does it do? – A “swell” idea. When you exceed your allergy threshold (your
tolerance to a substance) symptoms will appear.
Allergy symptoms basically are a combination of effects all based on
edema or swelling. Simple swelling is
the most common result of an allergic reaction and can occur in many
locations. If the swelling occurs
topically, the skin stretches causing intense itching. The resultant scratching leaves you with an
“atopic dermatitis” or eczema. Other
places where swelling produces symptoms are in the upper respiratory tract
which may cause sinus obstruction and a “stuffy” nose or cut off the sense of
smell. It can also close off the ear’s Eustachian tube (affecting hearing or
resulting in ear infections). Additionally it can cause edema near the larynx
causing “allergic hoarseness” or in the trachea leading to an irritating cough.
A more serious form of allergic edema can be seen in asthma where swelling
occurs in the airways, making breathing difficult. In the most serious allergic reaction, the
offending allergen will set off a chain reaction in
a person's immune system that may lead to swelling of the airways, loss of
blood pressure, and loss of consciousness, resulting in anaphylactic shock.
Put Pollen in its Place! If you find you
are one of the millions pummeled by pollen here are some tips in a nutshell. Before
choosing any medication, ask your pharmacist for more information, contra-indications,
doses, side-effects, etc. Antihistamines
can help lessen your body’s reaction to that pesky pollen and help with
sneezing, itching and runny nose. If your allergies keep you from sleeping, one
of the more drowsy-inducing antihistamines (diphenhydramine) may be the
ticket. For those that want relief
without drowsiness, there are non-sedating antihistamines (like loratadine). Itchy eyes may be helped by antihistamine eye
drops and cool compresses sometimes offer relief. For that stuffy nose (or
congested ears), pseudoephedrine might help unplug you and guaiafenesin and
water can help keep the mucous moving out of your head. Decongestant nasal
sprays are OK for quick relief but do not use them for more than three days. It’s best NOT to suppress a cough that is
helping you “move the mucous”. If you
suffer from more problematic allergies prescription medications or allergy
desensitizing shots may help.
Timeless Tips! Most pollen is released in the morning hours so save
your outdoor trips, gardening or lawn mowing for the afternoon. Mowing damp grass stirs up less pollen than
mowing dry grass. If you know weeding
your garden gives your nose fits, try wearing a filter mask to keep pollen from
polluting your proboscis. Take a shower
and change your clothes after working outside to get the offending pollen off
your duds, hair, etc. Dogs and cats can
bring in a load of pollen after dashing through the grass, so clean them off as
well. Open windows (at home or in the
car) are another “no-no” as the pollen floods in with the breeze. Air-conditioning helps filter out pollen. Steer manure, a common garden fertilizer, is
loaded with cattle dander, a potent allergen. So that’s some of the “poop” on pollen. I am out of space once again.
For more info:
1)
Consult your local
pharmacist or physician
2)
www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/outdoorallergens.stm
3)
www.meredy.com/nursetips/allergytips.html
4)
http://healthandenergy.com/101_allergy_tips.htm
(note: underscore between 101 and allergy, and between allergy and tips)