JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Although warmer weather is a welcome relief from the cold and wind of winter, for seasonal allergy sufferers, it means the onset of congestion, runny nose, itching and sneezing that can go on for weeks.
Pollen is a fine powder released from trees, weeds and grasses, with the purpose of fertilizing other plants. It’s carried by the wind and can enter the nose, throat and lungs, triggering a variety of symptoms in allergic patients.
In our area, the tree pollen season tends to start in February or March and typically peaks in April, but can continue into June. Other pollens rise later, like grasses in May and June, and ragweed from mid-August until the first frost. Due to the mild winter weather this year, many people who are allergic to trees noticed an increase in symptoms starting in early February.
Allergic rhinitis is thought to affect between 40-60 million Americans and is associated with significant medical costs as well as school absenteeism and loss of work productivity.
Here are a few tips that can help you manage your allergy symptoms:
Be aware of pollen season in your area and keep track of pollen counts. Pollen count can be found on several websites to include the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, www.aaaai.org,
Keep windows closed in home and car, and use air conditioning to cool and filter air coming indoors. Stay indoors when pollen counts are high.
Avoid outdoor activity in early morning hours (5 - 10:00 a.m.) when counts are highest. If you like to exercise outdoors, do it in the evening, and not on very high pollen count days.
After being outdoors, the use of nasal saline rinses, showering and washing hair as well as changing clothing can help minimize continued exposure to pollen.
If possible, defer working in the yard to someone else, but wear a well-fitting mask and goggles if you need to work out in the yard.
Use preventive medications like nasal steroid sprays and antihistamines regularly during allergy season to help control symptoms. When using nasal steroid sprays, make sure you aim the tip outwards as if pointing to the outer the corner of your eye and use just a gentle inhale. This ensures the medication is absorbed properly and minimizes irritation to nose or throat.
Another treatment option is to receive allergy shots, which unlike medications that only help to lessen symptoms, help to decrease your immune response to allergens. The goal of allergy shots is decrease the severity of your symptoms and hopefully decrease the need for medications.
“If you’re having allergy symptoms, have your primary care manager place a referral to see an Allergist,” said Staff Sgt. Caitlyn Thomason, 779th Medical Operations Squadron allergy technician. “Allergists can test for environmental allergens like pollen, animal dander, dust mites and molds, and advise you regarding the best course of treatment for your symptoms. Additionally, Allergists also diagnose, treat and monitor asthma which can often be triggered by allergies.”
The key is knowing what you are allergic to and making sure you have the proper medications and treatments to help control your symptoms.