Spring Allergies
Spring is beautiful, but it’s also a key time of year for seasonal allergies. As plants release pollen, millions of people start to sniffle and sneeze. The biggest spring allergy trigger is pollen. Trees, grasses, and weeds release these tiny grains into the air to fertilize other plants. When they get into the nose of someone who’s allergic, they send the body’s defenses haywire. The immune system mistakenly sees the pollen as a danger and releases antibodies that attack the allergens. That leads to the release of chemicals called histamines into the blood. Histamines trigger the runny nose, itchy eyes, and other symptoms that are all too familiar if you have allergies. It’s not just the plants in your neighborhood, pollen can travel for miles. Pollen counts tend to be particularly high on breezy days when the wind picks up these sneeze-inducing grains and carries them through the air. Rainy days, on the other hand, wash away the allergens.
Symptoms you may have:
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, your ENT provider may recommend a skin test, which involves either a pricking the surface of the skin with a tiny amount of allergen (prick test), or injecting a tiny sample of a diluted allergen under the skin of your arm. If you are allergic to the substance, a small red bump (called a wheal or hive) will form.
At Atlantic Ear, Nose & Throat, our allergy skin test not only indicates what the patient’s allergies are but how allergic the patient is to each of the 38 allergens tested that are specific to Central Florida.
Over the counter antihistamines work well to control the symptoms that allergens cause, but they will never permanently end the problem. Immunotherapy is the only proven treatment that provides permanent relief. In the meantime, here are some helpful tips to keep pollen at bay:
- Try to stay indoors whenever the pollen count is very high. The counts usually peak in the mornings.
- Keep your doors and windows closed during the spring months to keep allergens out. An air purifier may also help.
- Clean the air filters in your home often. Also, clean bookshelves, vents, and other places where pollen can collect.
- Wash your hair after going outside, because the allergen can collect there.
- Vacuum twice a week. Wear a mask, because vacuuming can kick up pollen, mold, and dust that were trapped in your carpet.
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