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About 35 million Americans – including me – have seasonal allergies, or “hay fever.” The first wave of allergens, in the spring, tends to come from trees. Later, it’s grasses. In summer and into the fall, the usual culprit is ragweed. All these plants have small, light pollens that are kicked up by the wind into the air that we breathe.
The story of a sneeze
Five of the most common allergens are pollen, mold, animal dander, cockroaches and dust mites. This is how our bodies overact to allergens, leaving us with sniffles, sneezes, and other symptoms.
1. Pollens and other allergens enter the body through the eyes, nose, and mouth.
2. In response, the body produces antibodies called immunoglobulin E (lgE). These attach to mast cells.
3. Allergens in the body attach to antibodies, causing mast cells to release histamine and other chemicals. That triggers sneezing or other allergic reactions.
If one parent has allergies, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the risk of a child developing allergies is 48 percent. If both parents have allergies, the risk jumps to 70 percent.
If you suffer from allergies or know someone who does, don’t give up hope!
You can try to avoid the allergen, use over-the-counter drugs, take prescription medications, or even try allergy shots. Your physician usually can determine an easy, effective treatment plan.
If you have a more stubborn case, an evaluation by an allergist is the way to go. This medical Sherlock Holmes will go into much greater detail and perform in-depth evaluations to determine precisely what you may be allergic to, then proceed with extensive treatment programs.
The bottom line on allergies is to know your body, know your environment and know your treatment options.
Here are ways you can manipulate your environment to make things easier on yourself.
Eight strategies for outdoor allergies
1. Watch the weather. When it’s rainy and calm, pollen tends not to move about. Windy, dry weather kicks up pollen, increasing allergy symptoms in susceptible people. So, if the pollen count is high or if it’s windy, stay indoors.
2. Close the windows in your home and car to keep molds and pollens from drifting in while you sleep or travel.
3. Minimize outdoor activity in the early morning (5- to 10 a.m.), when the pollen count is usually highest.
4. Vacation in a relatively pollen-free area, such as the beach, at the height of allergy season.
5. Take allergy medicines regularly, as prescribed. Don’t wait until you are sick to get treated.
6. Don’t mow lawns or rake leaves. This stirs up pollens and molds.
7. Don’t hang sheets or clothing outdoors to dry. Pollens and molds may collect in them.
8. Banish houseplants. If you must keep plants indoors, don’t over-water them. Wet soil encourages mold growth.
Four strategies for indoor allergies
Indoor allergens tend to occur year round. In addition to treating yourself for the symptoms they cause, it’s also important to change your home environment. I realize this sounds quite gross, but the fact is things like dust mites and cockroaches are around us all the time! Cleanliness is especially important in the bedroom, where people spend the most time.
1. Control dust mites. They thrive in high humidity, so keep humidity below 50 percent by using a dehumidifier or air conditioner. Remove carpeting and use hardwood, tile or linoleum floors. Cover mattresses and pillows with airtight, special-fabric covers, and wash all bedding weekly in hot water. Use pillows filled with synthetic fibers. Do a good job when dusting and vacuuming. A high-efficiency particulate filter (HEPA) vacuum is much more effective than a standard vacuum cleaner.
2. Decrease animal dander. Unfortunately, for people with serous allergies, giving a pet up is often the only choice. A poor second is to try to minimize your exposure to the animal. It’s especially important not to let the animal go where you spend most of your time (such as the bedroom). It is controversial whether your symptoms will be relieved if your pet gets a weekly bath.
3. Eliminate cockroaches. Limit their access to your home by sealing all windows, doorjambs, cracks and crevices. Have an exterminator treat the house regularly. It is extremely important to keep your house clean. Keep foods in airtight containers, seal garbage containers, clean surfaces, and wash dishes immediately after meals. Pay particular attention to areas where food is prepared.
4. Decrease mold and mildew. This is relatively simple. Just clean surfaces where molds and mildews are visible with a water-bleach solution containing 5 percent bleach. If carpets and wallpaper have visible mold, remove them. You will not be able to clean them adequately.
Tedd Mitchell, M.D., is the medical director of Cooper Wellness Program at the renowned Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas. He is also the vice president and associate medical director of Cooper Clinic. His medical practice focuses on health maintenance and disease prevention through physical fitness and proper nutrition. In June 2002, Dr. Mitchell was appointed by President Bush to serve on The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
An active researcher and author, he has published dozens of studies in peer-reviewed scientific journals and serves as both a columnist and medical editor for USA Weekend, which appears in 600 newspapers nationwide and has a circulation of more than 46 million readers. He is co-author of the book Fit To Lead. In addition to his writing, he also lectures extensively to both lay and scientific groups.
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