Do You Suffer From Seasonal Allergies? So Do More Than 35 Million Americans
What are seasonal allergies?
Seasonal allergies (also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis) are allergy symptoms only appearing in a certain season. These symptoms are caused by an inflammation in the lining of the nose. This inflammation results in symptoms similar to a cold. These include; nasal congestion, sneezing, and post nasal drip. Other symptoms of seasonal allergies are itchy throat and eyes, watery red eyes, and wheezing. Unlike with a cold, allergy symptoms come all at once and last longer.
What causes seasonal allergies?
Seasonal allergies are usually caused by particles released from trees, weeds, and grasses. These particles are known as pollen. Pollen travels through the wind and into your nose. Pollen is an allergen. The body misidentifies this allergen as harmful. The body then produces antibodies to fight that allergen. They attach to special blood cells known as mast cells. There they wait for the allergen to enter the body again.
When the allergen enters the body again the antibodies breakdown the mast cells. As they are destroyed each releases chemicals into the bloodstream. One of these chemicals in histamine. These chemicals cause the allergy symptoms.
What can you do about seasonal allergies?
In the spring tree pollen causes many seasonal allergy sufferers problems. In the summer its grass and weed pollen, and in the fall its ragweed. Mold spores cause allergies from the spring through late fall.
Avoiding the pollen is usually very helpful in reducing allergy symptoms.
keep windows and doors closed in your home and car when pollen counts are high
stay inside during peak pollen time between 10am and 4pm
stay inside when humidity is high and on days with high wind
avoid fans and use an air conditioner with a good filter if possible
put your car air conditioner on re-circulate when driving
shower after spending time outside to wash away any pollen on your skin
Prescription and over the counter medications are also available for relief of allergy symptoms.
* antihistamines relieve sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and runny nose
- they work by reducing the action of histamine
* decongestants reduce stuffiness.
- work best if taken before exposure to the allergen
- shrink swollen nasal membranes enabling you to breath easier
* allergy shots are where small amounts of the allergen injected into the body
- the allergen extract builds up the body increasing tolerance for the allergen
- over time your sensitivity to the specific allergen is reduced and your reactions are milder
- used if a person cannot avoid the pollen or allergen in their daily life
- given to people who are not getting relief from other medications