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Allergy Relief / Pollen Allergy / Preparing for Pollen
Preparing for Pollen
Kathy Hall
Spring is literally just around the proverbial corner, and with the budding trees and flowers come sniffles, sneezes and for some, misery.
“Washington is notorious for allergies,” according to Dr. Stella Thalhamer, a physician with Providence Centralia Hospital. “It usually hits around the beginning of spring.”
Exactly what are allergies? In short, an allergy is the body’s reaction to a substance, in this case plant pollen, that it thinks is harmful. The body’s immune system reacts by producing histamines, which create symptoms like a runny nose, scratchy throat and itchy, watery eyes.
Thalhamer says pollen counts were considered moderate as of last week, with the main source being trees � juniper, alder, elm and cedar. As temperatures warm and plants and flowers begin to blossom, pollen counts will rise, and so will the occurrence of hay fever.
“Allergies can really change the quality of life,” Thalhamer says. For some with chronic allergies, injections become a way of life. But for most who suffer with minor to moderate allergies, there are many options available to help alleviate some of the symptoms.
“There are definitely more options than there were five or six years ago,” says John Wiley, a pharmacist at Hall’s Drug Center, Centralia. “Antihistamines are the main treatment.”
Older, better known antihistamines work well, but can cause drowsiness, says Wiley, and have to be taken several times a day. Newer over-the-counter antihistamines are non-drowsy, and one dose can last 24 hours. Wiley suggests targeting treatment. For instance, if the only allergy symptom is itchy eyes, then an antihistamine eye drop may be all that’s needed.
“Take as little as you can to get the relief you need,” says Wiley.
It’s also a good idea to take an inventory of the medicine cabinet and organize at the start of allergy season. Toss out any medications that may be expired, says Wiley.
“Remember what worked best last time, and restock with that if necessary,” he says. “Don’t just use what you have without checking it first.”
If an antihistamine alone isn’t enough, Thalhamer says decongestants may be added.
“Decongestants will dry you up, but they can potentially cause problems, especially for those with high blood pressure,” she says. She recommends always checking with a physician to make sure a medication is safe. In the event over-the-counter medications don’t provide enough allergy relief, Thalhamer says it may be time to consult an allergist, and undergo skin testing, which will pinpoint specific allergies and target appropriate treatment.
For those who prefer treating allergies without chemical medications, nutritionists say there are many things people can do to help minimize symptoms.
“The best thing you can do is drink lots of water and keep hydrated,” says Julie Schaffley, owner of Good Health Nutrition Center, Centralia. “It helps to rinse out pollens from your body, and histamines, and keeps your sinuses hydrated.” She says a healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as taking vitamin C, will help build a body’s immunity, making it easier to fight off allergens.
“Eating healthy gives the body the building blocks it needs to fight allergies naturally,” says Schaffley. “We also want to build up our immune systems to prevent secondary infections.”
Schaffley, who has owned Good Health for 18 years, says there are natural products that her customers have found helpful. The number one item is a homeopathic treatment from Switzerland that contains microscopic doses of common allergens that help build resistance, much like allergy shots. She says one of her customers in particular found it helpful.
“A gentleman came in and said he didn’t know if he should thank me or not,” she laughs. “He started taking it because he had a severe allergy to grass, and couldn’t mow his lawn. Since he started taking it, he doesn’t have a problem, and now he’s able to mow his lawn, which is why he didn’t know if he should thank me or curse me.”
So, as spring creeps up on us, buds and blossoms begin to appear, and grass begins to grow, remember that an ounce of prevention could be worth a pound of cure. Taking a little time now to stock up and prepare can help nip allergies in the bud, or at least make it possible to stop and smell the roses, or whatever, without sneezing.
From http://www.chronline.com/storylife.php?subaction=s
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DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this site is for educational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for personal care by a licensed physician. Please see your physician for diagnosis and treatment of any concerning symptoms or medical condition.
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