Mary Jo’s Allergy Tips and Tricks

Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis-Hay Fever

Seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) affects more than 35 million Americans. If you suffer from it, you may experience sneezing, stuffiness, a runny nose, and itchiness in your nose, the roof of your mouth, throat, eyes, or ears. These allergic reactions are most commonly caused by pollen and mold spores in the air, which start a chain reaction in your immune system.

Your immune system controls how your body defends itself. For instance, if you have an allergy to pollen, the immune system identifies pollen as an invader or allergen. Your immune system overreacts by producing antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies travel to cells that release chemicals, causing an allergic reaction.

Pollen

Pollens are tiny cells needed to fertilize plants. Pollen from plants with colorful flowers, like roses, usually does not cause allergies. These plants rely on insects to transport the pollen for fertilization. On the other hand, many plants have flowers, which produce light, dry pollen that are easily spread by wind. These culprits cause allergy symptoms.

Each plant has a period of pollination that does not vary much from year to year. However, the weather can affect the amount of pollen in the air at any time. The pollinating season starts later in the spring the further north one goes. Generally, the entire pollen season lasts from February or March through October. In warmer places, pollination can be year around.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis is often caused by tree pollen in the early spring. During the late and early summer, grasses often cause symptoms. In the late summer and fall is when hay fever symptoms appear and are usually caused by weeds.

Molds

Molds are tiny fungi related to mushrooms but without stems, roots, or leaves. Their spores float in the air like pollen. Molds can be found almost anywhere, including soil, plants, and rotting wood. Outdoor mold spores begin to increase as temperatures rise in the spring and reach their peak in July in warmer states and October in the colder states and year-around in the South and on the West Coast.

Pollen and Mold Levels

Pollen and mold counts measure the amount of allergens present in the air.

The National Allergy Bureau™ (NAB™) is the nation’s only pollen and mold counting network certified by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). As a free service to the public, the NAB compiles pollen and mold levels from certified stations across the nation.

Effects of Weather and Location

The relationship between pollen and mold levels and your symptoms can be complex. Your symptoms may be affected by recent contact with other allergens, the amount of pollen exposure, and your sensitivity to pollen and mold.

Allergy symptoms are often less prominent on rainy, cloudy, or windless days because pollen does not move around during these conditions. Pollen tends to travel more with hot, dry, and windy weather, which can increase your allergy symptoms.

Some people think that moving to another area of the country may help to lessen their symptoms. However, many pollens, (especially grasses) and molds are common to most plant zones in the United States, so moving to escape your allergies is not recommended. Also, because your allergy problem begins in your genes, you are likely to find new allergens to react to in new environments.

Treatment

Finding the right treatment is the best method for managing your allergies. If your seasonal allergy symptoms are making you miserable, an allergist/immunologist, often referred to as an allergist, can help. You allergist has the background and experience to test which pollen or molds are causing your symptoms and prescribe a treatment plan to help you feel better. This plan may include avoiding outdoor exposure, along with medications.

If your symptoms continue or if you have them for many months of the year, your allergist may recommend immunotherapy treatment (allergy shots). This treatment approach involves receiving regular injections, which help your immune system become more and more resistant to the specific allergen and lessen your symptoms, as well as the need for medication.

Healthy Tips

There are also simple steps you can take to limit your exposure to the pollen or molds that cause your symptoms:

• Keep your windows closed at night and, if possible, use air conditioning, which cleans, cools, and dries the air.

• Try to stay indoors when the pollen or mold levels are reported to be high. Wear a pollen mask if long periods of exposure are unavoidable.

• Don’t mow lawns or rake leaves because it stirs up pollen and molds. Also avoid hanging sheets or clothes outside to dry.

• Consider taking a vacation during the height of the pollen season to a more pollen-free area, such as the beach or sea. When traveling by car, keep your windows closed.

• Seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) causes sneezing, stuffiness, a runny nose, and itchiness in your nose, the roof of your mouth, throat, eyes, or ears. Identifying early and getting proper treatment will allow for a more active lifestyle in your environment. • Avoiding and identifying the allergenic Pollens and molds will also help with an active lifestyle and overall improvement in health.

• Treatment from an allergist is the best method for coping with your allergies. This could include medications oral or inhalers, limiting exposure, or even allergy injections to improve health.

• Monitor pollen and mold levels found in your area are also helpful to avoid worsening symptoms