Spring has sprung and warmer weather is on the way,
bringing with it signs of the season such as tree blossoms and green grass.
While most welcome the opportunity to tuck away winter clothes and spend more
time outdoors, the turn of the season can pose challenges for the more than 35
million Americans who suffer from allergies. With predictions of an intensified
allergy season this year, experts at Northwestern Memorial Hospital offer
suggestions for helping allergy sufferers find relief.
“At their worst, allergies can have a significant
impact on a person’s quality of life,” says Anju Peters, MD, an allergist at
Northwestern Memorial. “Many patients complain of fatigue, headaches and
worsening of chronic conditions such as asthma when seasonal allergies strike.
Their symptoms can also lead to sleep loss and less productivity at work and
school.”
What causes seasonal allergies?
The long-awaited warmer weather brings about a
cycle of plant pollen and molds that can quickly permeate the air and spread
for miles. While the type and quantity of pollen varies by region, common
culprits are trees, grass and ragweed, which pollinate from March through
September and can send many people’s immune systems into overdrive with the
release of histamine that can trigger eye, nose and sinus inflammation.
The most common symptoms include itchy or watery
eyes, runny nose, postnasal drip, congestion and sneezing. While many may
consider such symptoms to be merely bothersome, they can progress to a state of
misery for others.
Prevention
While you certainly can’t control the air, there
are steps you can take to lessen the likelihood that you’ll suffer from allergy
symptoms. Dr. Peters recommends the following approaches for identifying
triggers and avoiding seasonal allergy attacks.
* Visit your doctor – The first step to prevention
is determining what type of pollen you’re allergic to. Make an appointment with
an allergist to evaluate your symptoms. During the visit, he or she may perform
an allergy skin test, in which allergens, such as grass pollen, are injected into
the outermost layer of the skin. Allergy is identified if redness or swelling
develops within 15 to 20 minutes at the site of an allergen injection.
Similarly, a blood test can measure levels of antibodies that your body makes
in response to certain allergens.
* Prepare for the outdoors – Once you know what
triggers your allergies, stay on top of the pollen and mold counts and air
quality provided in weather forecasts to determine and plan your time outdoors.
A low pollen reading is 0 to 30, moderate is 31 to 60, high is 61 to 120 and
extremely high is anything over 121. Pollen is typically highest during the
late morning and early afternoon periods, and can rise with high humidity
levels. It’s always a good idea to wear sunglasses and hats when outside to
help block pollen.
* Safeguard the indoors – Keep windows and doors
shut when pollen counts peak, and be sure to change air filters in your home
often. Regular dusting and vacuuming can also help, along with air purifiers,
which remove airborne allergens. Since pollens are known to stick to fabric,
Dr. Peters also recommends removing clothing that’s been worn outside when you
get home and taking a shower to rinse allergens from your body. Also, be sure
to wash clothes and bedding often.
Finding relief
When allergy symptoms do hit, a variety of
over-the-counter products such as antihistamines, decongestants and nasal
sprays can provide relief. While these medications are designed to help
alleviate symptoms, doctors caution that some products can cause side effects
and should thus not be used long-term.
“If overused, decongestant nasal sprays can
actually lose their effectiveness and lead to rebound congestion,” says Dr.
Peters. “Likewise, overuse of oral decongestants can bring about certain health
concerns. Be sure to talk with your physician about appropriate use of
over-the-counter decongestant products, especially if you have a pre-existing
health condition.”
Other products that can help with allergy symptoms
are antihistamine eye drops for itchy, watery eyes and throat lozenges for
soothing a sore throat due to postnasal drip. If you find that such
over-the-counter remedies still don’t bring relief, speak with your doctor, who
may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication such as nasal steroids, which are safe
to use on a long-term basis. For those patients with severe allergies,
immunotherapy treatments such as allergy shots, which work to reduce
sensitivity to allergens, may be an option for providing long-term relief.
“Allergies are a fact of life, but they are
manageable,” says Dr. Peters. “Seek ways to control your allergies so that you
can enjoy the spring and summer seasons.”
