By Mina Vedder
Scripps-McClatchy Western Service
Summer is nearly here, and while most people are out enjoying the sunshine, those with allergies are mostly staying inside fighting the red-eyed monster.
Allergists estimate about 41 million Americans suffer from allergies. Although allergy season typically begins in May, suffering stretches throughout the summer as various plant species continue to pollinate.
But allergy relief is available, and sufferers don't have to experience another miserable summer.
Vonda Bergren, 37, of Puyallup has been dealing with allergies since her teens. In years past, her frequent nasal congestion often led to sinus infections. For the last five years she has been receiving weekly allergy shots. They help, but allergies still affect her daily life.
"I have to be careful about the activities I do," said Bergren, who is allergic to grass, trees, weeds and a number of allergens. "I take my medications with me all the time. I have to plan my day if the pollen counts are high."
Bergren said that with allergy shots her sinus infections are no longer a problem and living with seasonal allergies is more manageable. While her symptoms have lessened, she still has to take antihistamine pills and use an antihistamine nasal spray for relief. On occasion she experiences headaches and fatigue.
Susceptibility to allergies is inherited, allergists say. The first step is to reduce exposure to certain allergens. In other words, if pollen counts are high, stay indoors.
"Try to avoid pollens in May, June and July," said Dr. Julie Gustafson, an allergy specialist at Cascade Ear, Nose and Throat clinic in Puyallup. "These months are the big grass pollen months because temperatures are warmer."
Many people also are allergic to tree pollen. Common tree allergies in the South Sound include oak, cottonwood, willow and alder.
Over-the-counter allergy medications work for mild allergies but can cause drowsiness. Nonsedating medications such as doctor-prescribed Allegra, Claritin and Zyrtec may help reduce symptoms without making you sleepy.
Decongestant medications should be avoided; they make allergies worse instead of better, Gustafson said. She said rinsing your nose with salt water can help reduce irritation. It is also helpful to use topical sprays two weeks prior to allergy season.
The most prevalent symptom of summer allergies is hay fever, which is the result of the body's attempt to wash pollens out. Histamine is produced in the nasal passages, the lining of the eye sockets and throat. Because the body is trying to fight the allergen, excessive amounts of histamine are produced, causing inflammation and reddening of mucus membranes, which cause runny nose and itchy, watery eyes.
Allergists recommend against planting wind-pollinated plants in your yard. Because they rely on spreading pollen through the air, they are more allergenic than insect-pollinated plants. Insect-pollinated plants produce pollen that is carried by bugs rather than air currents, and thus produce far fewer airborne particles. Wind-pollinated plants include grasses, such as rye and orchard.
Doctors say allergy symptoms are often mistaken for a cold or flu, so it is best to consult your physician before making assumptions about which medications to take.
(Mina Vedder is a reporter for the Tacoma News Tribune in Washington.)
Graphic courtesy of arttoday.com
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