Spring is one of the most beautiful times of the year. But to the quarter of the adult population with seasonal allergies, it can be a time of discomfort or worse. Itchy, watery eyes, stuffy nose, congestion and headaches are some of the common complaints, and they can last for several weeks and even months if the sensitivities include tree, grass and weed pollen in addition to mold.
May is National Allergy and Asthma awareness month for good reason. Although tree pollen peaks in April, it’s still active and accumulating throughout May. Those who may not have been susceptible earlier are suffering now, their histamine levels pushed too high for too long. Around this time, grass pollen also enters the picture, leading allergy sufferers, who have so far been untouched, finally over the edge.
Linda You, our director of clinical services, said the classic symptoms we see everyday are “cough, runny nose, congestion, and itchy/watery eyes.” If you’re suffering from these symptoms, you can start medication now, but next year plan ahead. “Allergy season typically starts around April but patients who suffer from allergies should start meds as early as March, instead of waiting until they are at the peak of symptoms,” she suggested.
Are allergy seasons getting worse? According to an article in The Association of American Medical Colleges News, the answer is yes. This is because “warmer temperatures have caused plants to blossom earlier and produce pollen longer than in previous decades. Air pollutants change pollen’s elemental composition and damage its surface, making it more allergenic. And plants that are popular for landscaping in urban areas can also release high amounts of allergenic pollen.” Add in stronger storms with higher winds blowing pollen even farther, and its a recipe for allergy disaster.
Treating the problem
Ms. You said most patients we see “are usually allergic to tree pollen, but can also have grass and ragweed allergies as well.” Medication is helpful to most allergy sufferers and they should stay on their medications through the end of May. “They can use mobile apps or check the allergy forecast to see when the highest peak pollen counts are.”
Most medications are now available over the counter “and can include a combination of oral, nasal sprays and eye drops. Some patients need all three. It’s best to take them continuously during the season.” There may be a period of trial and error to find the combinations and types of the medications that work best. Over-the-counter saline sprays or rinses help wash out the pollen from the nasal passages. Ms. You said they will clear out irritants, but they don’t really help with treating recurring symptoms.
How to Prevent Allergy Flare Ups:
Avoid being outside when a high pollen count is forecast
Close Windows
Use HEPA filters to clean indoor air
Change or clean air conditioner filters regularly
Wash hands frequently as pollen may land on objects
Shower when you get home and put your clothes in the laundry
Avoid rubbing your eyes to prevent complications like infection
Choose plants pollinated by wildlife, not wind spread, when landscaping
Starting early so that the body is prepared for the onslaught of allergy season, even before symptoms arise, is the best strategy for keeping symptoms at bay. “Stock up on your meds early, as they do run out at pharmacies during peak season.” Testing for seasonal allergies is available, “but most patients do not need testing and cannot avoid irritants such as tree pollen,” she said.
Some symptoms are so severe, patients may suspect they have a cold or the flu. “Allergies may have the same symptoms as an illness, but never cause fever,” she said. So fever could be one indicator that the symptoms are from illness. However, “untreated allergies may lead to sinus infections and conjunctivitis,” she added, so it’s important to treat the symptoms and seek medical advice if unsure what your symptoms mean.
Nipping allergies in the bud
Prevention starts with simple things like avoiding the outdoors when weather forecasts include a high pollen count, closing windows, using HEPA filters to clean indoor air and changing or cleaning air conditioner filters regularly. “It is important to wash hands frequently as pollen may land on objects, shower when you get home and avoid rubbing your eyes to prevent complications like infection,” Linda said. When selecting plants for landscaping, look for ones that are pollinated by wildlife, and not by wind spread.
Remember that although tree pollen season may be ending, grass pollen has arrived and ragweed is in line after that. If you have sensitivities to those allergens, your allergy season is really only just beginning.
