SATURDAY, April 12 (HealthDay News) -- Spring is here, and so is
allergy season for millions of Americans.
With a bit of planning, effort and common sense, many people can
limit their suffering or perhaps even avoid it altogether,
according to Dr. Mark Dykewicz, professor of internal medicine and
chief of allergy and clinical immunology at the Saint Louis
University School of Medicine.
For the most part, seasonal allergies are caused by airborne
pollens -- very fine powder released by trees, grasses and weeds as
they pollinate and fertilize other plants of the same kind. Molds
in outdoor air can also contribute to seasonal allergies.
Although outdoor allergens can be present year-round in warmer
climates, allergy season generally begins in late winter or early
spring and runs through late summer or early fall. As the season
progresses, different types of pollens are present to trigger
allergic reactions, Dykewicz said.
Dykewicz cited five important steps that help anyone prevent or
relieve symptoms when pollen or mold counts are peaking:
- Use over-the-counter antihistamines for relief. For some
people, these drugs are very effective at reducing the classic
symptoms of seasonal allergies, including sneezing, runny nose,
itchy eyes and scratchy throat. Be aware that some older-generation
antihistamines, such as Benadryl, can cause sleepiness and the
impairment of thinking and driving. More recent formulations tend
to cause no drowsiness (Claritin, for example) or less drowsiness
(Zyrtec), Dykewicz said.
- Keep your home's doors and windows closed. You can't completely
seal off your home, but keeping doors and windows closed can help
prevent pollens and outdoor molds from entering. As the weather
turns nicer, use the air conditioner rather than opening a window
to bring in "fresh" air.
- Limit outdoor activity, particularly in the morning. Avoid
being outdoors, especially to exercise, when pollen counts are
high, or on windy days when pollen and molds are being blown about.
In general, pollen counts are highest from about 5 a.m. to 10
a.m.
- When traveling by car, keep the windows up. Again, this helps
keep out pollens, dust and mold.
- Take a shower and change clothes. Pollen can collect on clothes
and in your hair, so when you've been outside for any significant
amount of time, shower and change into fresh clothes as soon as you
get home.
If you've followed those steps and you're still suffering, then
it is time to see a doctor, Dykewicz said.
A variety of prescription medications can help reduce or block
seasonal allergy symptoms, he said. These include other oral
antihistamines and several classes of nasal sprays. Nasal sprays
tend to be the most effective at relieving symptoms by helping
reduce inflammation and counteracting the allergic response.
For harder-to-treat cases, Dykewicz said many patients benefit
from allergy immunotherapy -- a long-term series of shots to
desensitize a patient from specific allergens.
The good news is there's a lot you and your doctor can do to
help relieve or prevent suffering caused by allergies, Dykewicz
said in a prepared statement.
More information
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation has more about
outdoor
seasonal allergies.
