God bless you. Gesundheit. Spring is here along with red, watery eyes, the sounds of sneezing, and whistling, sniffing noses. Allergies are blossoming along with the beautiful flowers and trees with radiant blooms and vibrant green leaves. Allergic rhinitis or seasonal allergies can occur seasonally or all year round. Symptoms can be mild to debilitating. Studies have shown allergies, for most, are worse than ever.
The most common cause of allergy symptoms is pollen. Pollen is the fine powder produced by trees, flowers, grasses and weeds one finds all over parked cars and patio furniture. There are hundreds of plants and trees that release pollen. The most common tree offenders are birch, oak and maple trees. The most common grasses to cause symptoms are perennial rye, bluegrass and Bermuda grass. Overall, ragweed is the most common allergen.
The immune system defends the body from viruses and bacteria. With allergies, some immune systems incorrectly identify pollen as harmful. The body then produces histamines and other chemicals to fight against the pollen. Approximately one quarter of the U.S. population have seasonal allergies. It is thought that genetics may play a role.
Most common seasonal allergy symptoms are watery eyes, sneezing and stuffy nose. Other symptoms include sinus pressure, facial pain, sore throat, post-nasal drip, cough, wheezing, headaches, hives and swelling beneath eyes. Allergies exacerbate asthma and other respiratory diseases. Untreated allergies can become more severe, lead to chronic inflammation, damage tissue and organs, weaken immune system, cause fungal and bacterial infections of the sinuses, lungs, ears or skin, severe fatigue, sleep issues, structural changes of the sinuses and decreased quality of life.
Minor allergy symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter non-drowsy antihistamines (Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra and others) and drowsy antihistamines (Benadryl), along with OTC nasal steroid sprays such as Flonase and others, and Sudafed. Herbal medications butterbar or spirulina have been recommended for allergies. As with any herbal remedy, check with your medical provider to avoid interactions with other medications. Afrin is often used or recommended. It is very important to know that using Afrin for more than two to three days can cause severe rebound nasal congestion.
Non-pharmaceutical fixes revolve around avoiding allergens. This can be done with masking outdoors, keeping windows closed, using air purifiers (preferably with HEPA filtering) or dehumidifiers, vacuuming the floors frequently, staying in on dry, windy days, avoiding yard work and gardening, and covering mattresses and pillows with allergen covers. Mind the pollen count. Local weather reports usually include the pollen count in their forecast.
Health experts and meteorologists agree that climate change contributes to longer and more intense allergy seasons. Growing zones are changing. Increased temperatures cause plants to bloom earlier and prolong the pollen season. Increased rainfall causes plants to release more pollen. More frequent thunderstorms make pollen grains burst, making them more irritating. Shifting wind patterns carry pollen more widely. Increased carbon dioxide makes pollen more potent. The number of allergens has doubled over the last 25 years.
It is important to manage allergies for general health and to avoid complications. If over-the-counter medications do not help, see a primary care provider. One may be referred to an allergist for allergy testing and treatment. Long-term management includes allergy shots or allergy drops. A newer treatment of three injections over eight weeks, called ExACT immunoplasty, is more convenient.
The tradition of saying “God bless you” when someone sneezes originated with the belief that one’s soul could exit the body with a sneeze. “Gesundheit” actually means “health” or “wishing good health.”
Manage your allergies. Do what you can to help protect this beautiful Earth from climate change for the sake of the Earth, its people and allergy sufferers. God bless you and gesundheit.
Take care of yourself and someone else.
Juanita Carnes is a Westfield resident and a nurse practitioner with 38 years of experience in a hospital emergency department and urgent care facilities. She served 30 years on the Westfield Board of Health.
