Millions of Americans suffer from allergies to outdoor protein molecules, commonly known as seasonal allergies or allergies to pollen. According to the US Department Of Health And Human Services, Public Health Service and National Institutes Of Health, a pollen allergy is characterized by sneezing, clogged nose, itchy eyes and nose or throat, allergic shiners and the “allergic salute”.
This particular behavior, the allergic salute, is the presentation in a child who persistently rubs his nose upwards and causes a crease mark over the bridge of the nose. This is a significant sign which pediatricians look for in children whose parents complain of upper respiratory symptoms during the spring and fall months. Children and adults often also have conjunctivitis and watery eyes during pollen season.
Plants are the culprits and produce pollen during the spring and fall months. Exactly when pollen enters the air will depend on the relative length of day and night. This means that it is also dependent on the geographical location and not on the month of the year or the weather.
Local weather reports will often include a pollen count which is a measure of how much is in the air and represents the concentration at a certain area in a specific time. They tend to be higher in warm, dry and breezy days and lower during chilly wet periods.
Individuals may suspect that they have a summer cold, but the symptoms continue to linger longer than two weeks and they don’t have the typical rundown feeling of being sick. If it appears that the symptoms caused by the allergies are significant then the individuals should seek the care of an allergist who is well-versed in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies. When the symptoms appear at the same time each year physicians often assume that they are related to the pollen from a specific plant. The nasal membranes in people who suffer from allergies are swollen and pale.
To find out if pollen are responsible for the allergic reactions the individual is experiencing the allergist will often do skin testing. During this test a diluted extract of the pollen will be applied on a scratch or puncture made in the skin. A positive reaction is a small, raised, red area. The amount of the raised area will provide the physician with an important clue but does not necessarily prove that particular pollen is the cause of the symptoms.
Physicians will work with the individuals to avoid the allergen, use medications to relieve the symptoms and potentially recommend immunotherapy or allergy shots. There has currently been no cure discovered for pollen allergies but a combination of these three treatment modalities will often give the individual significant relief.
It is probably highly unlikely that a person can completely avoid an allergic pollen since it would mean moving to an area of the country where the plant does not grow. But even this would offer only temporary relief since most people who are allergic to pollen will develop allergies to other types of pollen with repeated exposure.
It is better to remain indoors during the early morning hours and run a HEPA filter and/or air-conditioning unit in order to filter out as much pollen from the house as possible. People with allergies should be very wary of any appliances that claim to be able to clean the air. Some electrostatic precipitators actually use ozone as a method of removing irritants from the air. Unfortunately, they also irritate the airways of individuals who have allergies and especially those who have asthma.
Removing the irritating pollen proteins from the sinus cavity using a Neti-Pot, or similar device, can help reduce nasal symptoms. Washing your eyelashes twice daily with baby shampoo to remove the microscopic protein molecules from the eyelashes can reduce the red, swollen and teary eyes.
Your allergist will often start by using mild forms of anti-histamines and decongestants in order to help treat stuffy nose and watery eyes. Those who have a significant inflammatory response in the body during high pollen season should also be careful of their eyes and the potential for the creation of styes when tear ducts and oil glands get clogged.
Those who have allergic rhinitis, runny nose or stuffy nose, should avoid using a decongestant spray because this can lead to a rebound effect. The initial effect of shrinkage from a decongestant spray is usually followed by more swelling and congestion when you stop using the spray. The individual must then use the spray in higher doses to get relief and instead of helping it intensifies the problem.
If controlling the environment and medication are not adequate to control the symptoms then the individual may opt to try allergy shots to increase their tolerance to her particular type of pollen. It takes time to build up a tolerance so prolonged treatment is needed before symptoms are relieved.
Pollen allergies are the most common reason for allergic symptoms and signs in individuals. Millions of people suffer every single year with the symptoms and signs of allergic rhinitis, watery eyes and itchy nose. In severe cases, when left untreated, the symptoms can become debilitating but usually do not progress to any serious pulmonary diseases. Research is proceeding on several different fronts, often funded by pharmaceutical companies who hold a great stake in finding treatments which will help to alleviate the pain and suffering of those who experience seasonal allergies.
Resources:
National Institutes of Health: Pollen
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/allergens/pollen/
FamilyDoctor.org: Allergic Rhinitis
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/allergic-rhinitis.html
Allergy UK: Hay Fever and Allergic Rhinitis
http://www.allergyuk.org/hayfever-and-allergic-rhinitis/hay-fever-and-allergic-rhinitis
American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology: Pine Tree Allergy
http://www.acaai.org/allergist/allergies/Types/other-allergies/Pages/pine-tree-allergy.aspx
American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology: Seasonal Allergy Symptoms Impact Quality of Life
http://www.acaai.org/allergist/Resources/letters/Pages/Seasonal_Nasal_Allergy_Symptoms_Impact_Quality_Life.aspx
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease: Pollen Allergy
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/allergicDiseases/Documents/PollenAllergyFactSheet.pdf
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