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Information about seasonal allergies

During the spring, summer, and fall seasons as plants pollinate, they release small pollen particles which can trigger allergic responses for many people. These pollen particles are distributed by the wind. Sometimes you will see an accumulation of these pollen particles in a light coating of greenish or yellow pollen dust on cars, windows and other outside surfaces. Also called “hay fever” or “seasonal allergic rhinitis”, these seasonal allergy symptoms are generally short lived and inconvenient. The allergic response may involve a runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, or generalized itching. There can also be sneezing, itchy eyes, nose, ears or mouth, swelling around the eyes or nasal congestion (stuffy nose). For some susceptible people this can trigger their asthma symptoms, generating a more serious health condition.

If any of these seasonal allergies symptoms are allowed to go on for too long they can lead to secondary bacterial infections including conjunctivitis (pink eye), sinus infections and ear infections.

These allergy symptoms can also make their sufferer very tired and, although they do not cause a fever, the allergy sufferer can feel very sick. This contributes to days lost from school and loss of productivity, as well as a decline in quality of life.

As temperatures have warmed, the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America notes that the average pollen season has gone from 11 days to 27 days between 1995 - 2011. This has implications for allergy sufferers who are attempting to manage their allergy symptoms.

Fortunately there are many interventions an allergy sufferer can put into place:

• Be aware of the pollen count for your area. I monitor the www.Pollen.com site, which provides area specific pollen counts as well as what plants are the major contributors to that pollen count for that day. I will post that count of the top of this website or feel free to subscribe to that or any other website providing this information.

• Keep seasonal pollen outside, don’t bring it inside

  • Leave your shoes at the door when you come into your home

  • Wash your hands and face as soon as you come inside

  • You may want to change your clothes or even shower after being outside

  • When available, use your air conditioning and keep windows closed to limit the pollen that is brought inside

  • Use a clothes dryer, instead of hanging clothes outside to dry

  • Be careful when petting pets who have been outside

  • When outside wear a hat and sunglasses to help keep pollen off your face

  • A face mask may help to keep pollen from getting on your face

• Visit with your health care provider and talk about proper diagnosis and management of allergies

  • Talk with your health care provider about available medications, both over the counter and prescription which can help manage allergy symptoms. Know that there are many options for medication management of allergies - daily oral medications, eye drops, nasal sprays, allergy shots, as well as some sublingual immunotherapy for specific pollen allergies. More therapies are being developed so continue to speak with your health care provider.

You can find links to many seasonal allergy resources on the Websites page