The condition is a reaction to airborne irritants like pollen that appear only in certain months. It can be called hay fever, a throwback to a kinder, gentler agrarian age or may be mistaken for a cold. The formal names for its symptoms are allergic rhinitis, which describes the irritation to the inner membrane of the nose, or conjunctiva, which refers to watery, bloodshot eyes caused by the irritants.
Seasonal allergies generally occur in the spring, summer or fall, when pollens, grasses and other airborne irritants are on the move. In spring, most reactions are caused by the blossoming tree buds, which send showers of spores into the air. In summer, grasses and weeds take over, filling the air with the fallout. And in fall, ragweed makes an appearance.
The seasonal afflictions differ according to geography. For example, in the western United States, mountain cedar is the main culprit for seasonal allergies during the December to March months. In the southwest, blame Russian thistle and sagebrush for your irritations.
Nasal allergies affect roughly 50 million people in the United States, according to the American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology. It is becoming more prevalent, the organization claims, with about 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children affected, or roughly just fewer than 17 million adults and more than 6 million children. That results in more than 13 million annual doctor visits, outpatient treatments and emergency room visits.
Hidden Dangers of Allergies
Seasonal allergies are generally more irritating than dangerous. But allergy sufferers can develop certain severe problems if they have underlying conditions exacerbated by allergies.
The afflictions typically caused by exposure to pollen and other irritants include coughing, runny nose and watery/bloodshot eyes, wheezing, and problems sleeping. Sufferers may develop an itchy throat or eyes or get congested from the backup of mucus, which can, in turn, cause severe headaches or infections.
Seasonal allergies may cause complications for people with respiratory issues. Johns Hopkins Allergy and Asthma Center reports that people who have COPD had increased coughing and wheezing during allergy seasons and were significantly more likely to need additional medical treatment for worsening conditions.
Here are four examples of breathing disorders affected by seasonal allergies:
1) Asthma: Wheezing may increase with exposure to more irritants;
2) COPD: Because sufferers already have breathing difficulties, major organs may struggle to compete with the new burden of allergies;
3) Emphysema: Another breathing issue that may be exacerbated by pollen counts, emphysema sufferers could have severe attacks under certain conditions;
4) Chronic Bronchitis: Seasonal allergy conditions may gradually cause sufferers to feel worse.
MEDICATIONS CAN HELP
Fortunately, there are treatments available to ease symptoms and comfort those suffering from the above afflictions, including non-sedating antihistamines and nasal steroids, available under such commercially available names as Claritin-D or Allegra, both promoting sinus drainage.
If those treatments don’t work, it may be time for additional steps. Allergen immunotherapy is designed to stimulate the immune system and has side effects, including blood thinning, and should not be taken without strict supervision if there’s already a heart or lung condition.
Immunotherapy injections require a doctor visit once or twice a week for an injection in the upper arm that administers a tiny amount of the allergen – pollen, dust mites or bee venom, for example.
The doses increase and the time between shots gradually lengthens to the point where only a monthly visit may be required. The treatments usually start after the season for a particular allergy has passed, preparing the sufferer for the next event.
Your doctor will tell you if you are a candidate for immunotherapy. Occasionally, doctors may administer a test in which the nasal discharge is checked or a skin test is done to aid in diagnosis of the problem.
Because allergy-causing mold, spores and pollen are found practically everywhere, it’s hard to isolate yourself from their effects. But there are certain steps you can take that will help reduce exposure time and cause less irritation.
First, dry, windy days are probably not the best time for you to take a walk in the woods. The wind kicks up a lot of materials and hurls them through the air, subsequently arriving in your nose and eyes. If you stay indoors, there are barriers between you and these irritants. If you must take a long walk, wait until there been a good, hard rain. That washes the irritations scattered in the air.
If you have someone to handle your outdoor chores like lawn mowing, weeding and other gardening, allow them to perform tasks without your supervision. These tasks generally stir up allergens, and you’ll wind up feeling worse than you do when you spot an errant daisy.
If you do go outside, change clothes upon your return and isolate them in a hamper or other container used to store them before washing. You also may shower to rinse any lingering, clinging pollen or other irritants from your skin.
When you wash your clothes, use a dryer. Hanging them outside on the line will only attract more pollen to your bed sheets and other items.
Finally, if you have access to a medical supplies store, consider wearing a dust mask during particularly severe days. Many weather reports will give a pollen count so that you can prepare adequately. You might dose yourself with allergy medications as a preventive. It’s also a good idea to avoid outdoor activity during the morning hours when pollen counts tend to be at their highest.
Inside your house, cleanliness will be a big help in controlling your seasonal symptoms (not to mention help if you have major problems like COPD). Air conditioning and heating units have filters that can help reduce outside particles, and using a humidifier will help regulate the moisture in the air. It’s also not a bad idea to buy a portable particulate air filter for the bedroom and to clean floors with a vacuum cleaner frequently.
Whatever steps you take to avoid exposure to airborne irritants will help. Your eyes and nose will thank you later.