Seasonal Allergy Help

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The onslaught of itchy eyes, runny noses, congestion, never-ending sneezes and fatigue has taken the United States by storm. According to the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, an estimated 50 million to 60 million Americans now suffer from allergies. For 35 million of us, seasonal allergies — an adverse sensitivity to tree, grass or ragweed pollen more commonly known as hay fever — are the most prevalent. Although the majority of hay fever misery occurs from spring through fall, allergy-causing pollen can torment sufferers at any time of year, especially in warmer climates.

Allergy symptoms are a consequence of an immune system gone wild. Instead of recognizing an otherwise-innocuous allergen, such as pollen or mold spores, as benign, the immune system misidentifies the substance as sinister. In response, the immune system produces IgE-type antibodies designed to defuse foreign invaders and protect the person from future exposure. Upon the first exposure to an allergen, no symptoms occur. But when a person comes in contact with the same allergen later, the IgE antibodies stimulate specialized mast cells to release a load of histamines, leukotrienes and other inflammatory chemicals. This overblown defense reaction is the sniffling, sneezing, itching, dripping unpleasantness we all recognize as allergies.

Fast Fixes

Pollen levels vary greatly depending on the area, time of day and weather conditions. By knowing your local pollen forecast, you can take preventive action when pollen counts are high. (To find out the current pollen levels in your area, check out the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at www.aaaai.org or www.pollen.com.) When pollen levels are high, keep the windows closed in your home and car, and turn on the air conditioning. Avoid gardening or working in the yard during peak pollen periods, usually in the early morning and early evening, or wear a mask that filters out pollen. Frequent showers and laundry loads will wash away pollen that sticks to your clothing and hair.

For on-the-spot relief, irrigate your nose and sinuses with a saline solution or opt for the convenience of a neti pot, which can be found online or at most natural product stores. “Neti washing or nasal irrigation removes the pollen from the nasal mucosa, where it would generate the allergic response,” says Roberta Lee, M.D., who recommends twice-daily applications for continued relief.

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