By Ernst Lamothe Jr
From the occasional sneeze to life-threatening reactions, allergies come in all shapes and sizes.
Allergies aren’t just about pollen in the spring as the summer can cause just as much havoc on the sinuses. They can be triggered by foods, medications, insect stings and more.
Allergies occur when a person’s immune system reacts to a substance in the environment. These substances are known as allergens and can be dust mites, pets, pollen, insects, ticks, molds, foods and medications.
“Allergies are a very common problem. We have more than 80 million people in the United States that have allergic rhinitis,” said physician Emily Weis, department of allergy, immunology and rheumatology at UR Medicine.
Weis offers five pieces of information for chronic allergy sufferers.
1 — Summer allergy culprits
Pollen from grasses and weeds, mold spores and air pollution
When a person comes into contact with a particular allergen, the body reacts through constant sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, breaking out in hives, eczema and trouble breathing.
Around 31.8% of adults in the United States had a seasonal allergy, eczema or food allergy, according to the Centers for Disease and Prevention. This includes 25.7% with a seasonal allergy, 7.3% with eczema and 6.2% with a food allergy. There are multiple remedies for seasonal allergies than for any other type of allergy.
In the spring, many flower buds and trees are blooming, which affect millions of people who have seasonal allergies which can result in sneezing, congestion, a runny nose and other bothersome symptoms. In the summer, pollen from grasses and weeds, mold spores and air pollution cause issues.
“For seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, symptoms can be nasal congestion, itchy and watery eyes, post nasal drips and a cough,” said Weis.
2 — Rain is your friend
Having allergies doesn’t mean you have no choices. Although allergies can be a pain, you can deal with them in various ways that offer relief. Experts suggest reducing your exposure to allergy triggers, which means staying indoors on dry and windy days. Figure out the best times to venture outside with rain being your friend because it helps clear the pollen from the air. Also try avoiding lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening chores that can stir up allergens. In addition, get in the habit of removing clothes worn outside and shower to rinse any pollen from your skin and hair.
“I tell patients that they should avoid many outdoor allergens, especially on days when the pollen count may be high. There are plenty of over-the-counter allergy medications such as nasal sprays and non-sedating antihistamines,” said Weis. “Patients have also taken allergy shots and Food and Drug Administration approved tablets in consultation with an allergist.”
3 — Young and old: Allergies can develop at any age
Whether it’s home remedies or misinformation, experts say they hear common misconceptions. For those who believe allergies are not serious, while some instances may seem mild, others can be severe or even life-threatening. Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, can be fatal if not treated promptly. In addition, not all allergies are the same. Allergies vary widely in their symptoms, triggers and severity. Some people may have seasonal allergies to pollen, while others may be allergic to specific foods, medications or insect stings.
“I have also heard people say you are too old to develop allergies, but allergies can be developed at any age,” she added. “Another myth is people who say ‘my dog doesn’t shed so I can’t be allergic to it.’”
Allergic reactions are found in pet dander, saliva and urine, which can be carried by a pet’s hair.
4 — Pollen is more prominent in the morning hours
Seasonal allergy symptoms flare up when pollen exists in the air. It’s essential to check how much pollen exists in the air and adjust your behavior from there. If the pollen counts forecasted are high, start taking allergy medications before symptoms hit you. Closing doors and windows during the day becomes another step when pollen problems occur and especially avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when the counts are at their peak.
“Pollen is more prominent in the morning hours, so patients may feel more symptoms at that time than during the afternoon hours,” said Weis.
5 — Over-the-counter remedies
Several types of nonprescription medications help ease allergy symptoms. This includes oral antihistamines which aids and relieves sneezing, itching, stuffy and runny nose and watery eyes. Examples of antihistamines include Zyrtec Allergy, Allegra Allergy, Claritin and Alavert. Nasal sprays medications improve nasal symptoms such as Flonase Allergy Relief, Rhinocort Allergy and Nasacort Allergy 25 hours. Although these can help stop nasal symptoms for a short term, talk to your health provider for longer-term relief options. Experts still say that if you have chronic allergies, you should see a professional.
“As a board-certified allergist, we do skin testing and under certain circumstances blood work,” said Weiss. “If there are any questions if you are suffering from allergies, talk with your primary care physician and consider seeing a board-certified allergist.”