Crawford County R-I
Monthly Staff Wellness Newsletter
March 2014: Allergy Season-Right Around the Corner
Spring brings blooming trees and flower buds, but if you are one of the millions of
people who have seasonal allergies, it can be a miserable time of year.
Seasonal Allergies, also known as…


Allergic rhinitis
Hay fever
An allergic reaction begins in the immune system. If you have an allergy, your immune
system mistakes an otherwise harmless substance (an allergen) as an invader. You can
be exposed to an allergen by inhaling it, swallowing it, or getting it on or under your
skin. The immune system then overreacts to the allergen by producing
Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. These antibodies travel to cells that release
histamine and other chemicals, causing an allergic reaction.
COMMON SEASONAL ALLERGY SYMPTOMS:
 Itchy, watery eyes
 Sneezing
 Itchy, runny nose
 Congestion
 Itchiness in ears, throat, or roof of mouth
 Feeling tired or ill
 Rashes
IS IT A COLD OR AN ALLERGY?
Symptoms
Cough
General aches, pains
Fatigue, weakness
Itchy eyes
Sneezing
Sore throat
Runny nose
Stuffy nose
Fever
Duration
Cold
Common
Slight
Sometimes
Rare or Never
Usual
Common
Common
Common
Rare
3-14 Days
Airborne Allergy
Sometimes
Never
Sometimes
Common
Usual
Sometimes
Common
Common
Never
Weeks (6 weeks for ragweed
or grass pollen seasons)
DIAGNOSIS:
Knowing exactly what you’re allergic to can help you lessen or prevent exposure and
treat your reactions.
 Visit an allergist/immunologist. An allergist has specialized training to help with
more accurate diagnosing, finding a treatment plan that works for you, and
providing educational information to help you manage your allergies.
 Allergy skin tests-considered the most sensitive testing method and provides
rapid results. The most common test, the “prick test,” involves pricking the skin
with an extract of a specific allergen, then observing the skin for a reaction.
 Serum-specific IgE antibody testing-blood test which provides information
similar to that of an allergy skin test
TREATMENT:
 Avoidance of the Allergen=best treatment (hard to do with airborne allergies)
 Antihistamines-counter the effects of histamine; Note: The newest drugs do
not cause sleepiness side effect common with older generation of antihistamines.
 Nasal steroids=anti-inflammatory sprays that helps decrease inflammation,
swelling, and mucous production
 Cromolyn sodium=a nasal spray that can help stop hay fever by blocking release
of histamine and other symptom-producing chemicals
 Decongestants-thin nasal secretions and can reduce swelling and sinus
discomfort (intended for short-term use)
 Immunotherapy/Allergy shots-may provide relief for patients who had none
with antihistamines or nasal steroids; alter the body’s immune response to
allergens to help prevent allergic reactions; treatment limited due to side effects
STRATEGIES TO HELP CONTROL SEASONAL ALLERGIES:
Reduce Exposure to Allergens:
 Stay indoors on dry, windy days.
 Delegate lawn mowing, weed pulling, leaf raking, and
other gardening chores that stir-up allergens.
 Remove clothes you’ve worn outside and shower to rinse pollen from your skin
and hair.
 Don’t hang laundry outside-pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
 Wear a dust/pollen mask if you must do outside work.
Take Extra Steps When Pollen and Mold Counts Are High:
 Check your local TV or radio station or the Internet for pollen and mold forecast
and current levels.
 If high counts are forecasted, start taking allergy medication before your
symptoms start.
 Close doors and windows at night or any other time when counts are high.
 Avoid outdoor activity, especially early in the morning, when pollen counts are
highest.
Keep Indoor Air Clean:
 Keep windows closed and use the air conditioning (which cleans, cools, & dries
the air) in your home & car.
 Use high-efficiency filters and follow regular maintenance schedules if you have
forced air heating or air conditioning in your house.
 Keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier.
 Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in
your bedroom.
 Clean floors often with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter.
Note: Seasonal allergy symptoms are often less prominent on rainy,
cloudy, or windless days because pollen does not move around during these conditions.
Pollen tends to travel more with hot, dry, and windy weather, which can increase your
allergy symptoms.
Sources:
-National Institutes of Health. (2011). Seasonal allergies: Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. NIH Medline
Plus, 6(2), 20. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/summer11/articles/summer11pg20.html
-www.aaaai.org
-www.mayoclinic.org