Just say "AHHH..."
Get some relief from spring allergies
For many, spring heralds the joy of warmer weather, bluer skies and
exploding blooms on trees and flowers. But for some Americans, the
post-winter season also brings runny noses, watery eyes, plenty of
sneezing and a general feeling of malaise not unlike symptoms
associated with the flu or common cold. If you're nodding your foggy
head in symptom recognition, you may suffer from seasonal allergies.
The common culprits of springtime allergies are tree pollens, but
mold spores can aid and abet, too. According to the American Academy
of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), people who are sensitive to
these triggers have a high amount of the antibody immunoglobulin E, or
IgE, which is directed specifically at the allergen in their blood.
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When a speck of pollen or other allergen crosses paths with IgE,
the immune system overreacts. The IgE our bodies produce tries to fend
off the foreign substance by attaching to it. In the process, several
chemicals are released, including histamines, which are responsible
for the symptoms many of us know all too well.
Pollen-induced allergy symptoms are often referred to as
'hay
fever,' although they're not caused by hay and you typically don't run
a fever. (Go figure.) They're more formally referred to as seasonal
allergic rhinitis, and they're diagnosed by doctors after taking a
medical history. If symptoms recur each spring, it's a good sign
you're dealing with allergies and not a cold or other bug. Symptoms of
asthma or sinusitis are also possible indicators of an allergy. Many
doctors will use scratch tests to diagnose which substances cause
allergic reactions. During such tests, drops of allergen extracts are
placed on the skin, which is then scratched to allow a tiny bit to
penetrate. In allergic patients, welts develop within about 15
minutes.
Allergy complaints are real and, if not managed, can significantly
affect one's quality of life and productivity. In fact, according to
the AAAAI, absenteeism and reduced productivity due to allergies cost
U.S. firms hundreds of millions of dollars annually. In children,
allergies can cause difficulty concentrating, learning, sleeping and
behaving.
Here are suggestions on how to quell seasonal symptoms from a panel
of experts —an allergist, a family physician who practices
integrative medicine and a naturopath.
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