• Spring Allergies

  • General
  • Causes
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnoses

   

   

  Spring is the time of year that we normally think of when it comes to seasonal allergies. As the trees start to bloom and the pollen gets airborne, allergy sufferers begin their annual ritual of sniffling and sneezing.

  Although there is no magical cure for spring allergies, there are a number of ways to combat them, from medication to household habits.

   

  What causes spring allergies?

   

  The biggest spring allergy trigger is pollen — tiny grains released into the air by trees, grasses, and weeds for the purpose of fertilizing other plants. When pollen grains get into the nose of someone who’s allergic, they send the immune system into overdrive.

  The immune system, mistakenly seeing the pollen as foreign invaders, releases antibodies — substances that normally identify and attack bacteria, viruses, and other illness-causing organisms. The antibodies attack the allergens, which leads to the release of chemicals called histamines into the blood. Histamines trigger the runny nose, itchy eyes, and other symptoms of allergies.

  Pollen can travel for miles, spreading a path of misery for allergy sufferers along the way. The higher the pollen count, the greater the misery. The pollen count measures the amount of allergens in the air in grains per cubic meter. You can find out the daily pollen count in your area by watching your local weather forecast or by visiting the NAB: Pollen & Mold Counts page on the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology’s web site.

  Here are some of the biggest spring allergy offenders:

  Trees

  Alder

  Ash

  Aspen

  Beech

  Box elder

  Cedar

  Cottonwood

  Cypress

  Elm

  Hickory

  Juniper

  Maple

  Mulberry

  Oak

  Olive

  Palm

  Pine

  Poplar

  Sycamore

  Willow

  Grasses and weeds

  Bermuda

  Fescue

  Johnson

  June

  Orchard

  Perennial rye

  Redtop

  Saltgrass

  Sweet vernal

  Timothy

  Allergy symptoms tend to be particularly high on breezy days when the wind picks up pollen and carries it through the air. Rainy days, on the other hand, cause a drop in the pollen counts because the rain washes away the allergens.

   

  What are the symptoms of spring allergies?

   

  The symptoms of spring allergies include:

  • Runny nose
  • Watery eyes
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Itchy eyes and nose
  • Dark circles under the eyes

   

  Airborne allergens also can trigger asthma, a condition in which the airways narrow, making breathing difficult and leading to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

   

  How are spring allergies diagnosed?

   

  If you’ve never been formally diagnosed with spring allergies but you notice that your eyes and nose are itchy and runny during the spring months, see your doctor. Your doctor may refer you to an allergist for tests.

  The allergy specialist may do a skin test, which involves injecting a tiny sample of a diluted allergen just under the skin of your arm or back. If you’re allergic to the substance, a small red bump (called a wheal or hive) will form. Another diagnostic option is the radioallergosorbent test or RAST. RAST is a blood test that detects antibody levels to a particular allergen. Just because you are sensitive to a particular allergen on a test, though, doesn’t mean that you’ll necessarily start sneezing and coughing when you come into contact with it.

• 10 best tips to ease

  Let’s clear the air: Pollen is hard to escape, but there are common-sense steps you can take

  It’s about that time: Temperatures rise, trees bloom and your nose starts to run. It itches, too; you keep sneezing or coughing, and your eyes won’t stop watering. These are all signs of seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever and most commonly caused by tree pollen that iritates your nasal passages.

  Pollen from birch, cedar, cottonwood and pine are particularly big allergy triggers. And if you feel as if your symptoms are getting worse every year, you’re not crazy: Research shows pollen counts are slowly rising and expected to double by 2040. Also, if you suffer from migraines and could swear you get more of them when your allergies attack, you might be right again: Recent preliminary research linked nasal allergies and hay fever to an increase in the frequency and severity of these painful headaches.

  In the past year, almost 17 million adults were diagnosed with hay fever. Steering clear of allergens is the best way to reduce symptoms, but that’s tough with billions of tiny pollen particulates in the air.

  You can take steps, however, to minimize exposure; over-the-counter allergy remedies also may help, as well as prescription medications or allergy shots. Talk to a doctor to determine the best treatment plan.

  10 BEST TIPS

   

  1. Check pollen counts.

  Before heading out, check the local news or visit the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology’s National Allergy Bureau (aaaai.org/nab) for up-to-date readings. If levels are high, limit your time outside and take allergy medications.

  2. Shut the windows.

  Good advice for at home and in the car to help keep pollen out. Cool with the air conditioner instead.

  3. Move outdoor activities to the afternoon.

  Pollen counts are usually highest from 5 to 10 a.m. If you plan to garden, mow the lawn or take on other allergen-stirring chores, wear a mask.

  4. Head out on rainy days.

  Moisture helps clear pollen from the air. Dry, windy days are more likely to have a lot of pollen.

  5. Strip and shower.

  After being outside, it’s a good idea to toss your clothes in the hamper and rinse pollen from your skin and hair.

  6. Dry laundry indoors.

  As nice as the fresh-air smell may be, pollen can cling to your clothes, sheets and towels.

  7. Use high-efficiency filters.

  They can help keep indoor air cleaner by trapping pollen and other allergens if you use forced air-conditioning or heating systems.

  8. Try a neti pot.

  Rinsing your sinuses is a quick, natural and effective way to flush out mucus and allergens so you can breathe easier.

  9. Run OTCs by your doctor.

  Some over-the-counter oral decongestants can cause side effects, including increased blood pressure and insomnia; certain nasal sprays should be used for only a few days. Your doctor or allergist can help determine the best medication for you.

  10. Treat early.

  Most medications work best if taken before pollen hits the air. Ask your doctor when you should start treatment; some allergists recommend treatment about two weeks before symptoms typically surface.

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