Use the spring allergies news release on allergies as:
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Material you can distribute to local media (sample cover email below)
Content to upload to your website and/or newsletter
Informational flyer for patients/public
Cover E-mail to Media Outlets
Subject: It’s a War on Pollen during Spring Allergy Season
Dear [INSERT REPORTER’S NAME],
If you view spring with a certain degree of trepidation because it means an outbreak of spring allergy
symptoms, you are not alone. One in five Americans suffer from allergies each year and spring allergies
cause a multitude of symptoms ranging from stuffy noses and sneezing to itchy eyes and coughing.
According to ACAAI, 23.6 million Americans were diagnosed with hay fever in the last year. The
prevalence of allergies is surging upward, with as many as 30 percent of adults and up to 40 percent of
children having at least one allergy.
As a local allergist who specializes in treating allergy and asthma, I would be happy to speak with you
about how allergy sufferers can enjoy the blooms of spring and avoid the triggers that may leave them
sniffling, coughing and sneezing. Additional tips can be found in the news release below.
I’m available by phone [INSERT PHONE NUMBER] or email [INSERT EMAIL].
Thank you for your time,
[INSERT NAME]
[INSERT PRACTICE]
It’s a War on Pollen during Spring Allergy Season
Some Weapons Work Better than Others to Keep Your Suffering at Bay
[INSERT YOUR CITY, STATE] [INSERT DATE] – While many people eagerly anticipate spring to see the
last of cold weather and snow drifts, others dread the sneezing, wheezing, itchy eyes and coughing
spring allergies bring. They understand the arrival of pollen – whether counts are high or low - means
the onset of their misery. But there are ways to prevail in the fight to breathe easy and remain relatively
sneeze-free.
“People focus on the highs and lows of pollen counts,” said allergist [INSERT NAME, INSERT PRACTICE].
“What they don’t realize is that a high total pollen count doesn’t always mean you will have allergy
symptoms. The pollen from the plant you are allergic to may not be high. The key is to know what you’re
allergic to, and how to treat your particular symptoms.”
More people than ever suffer from allergies of all kinds. Allergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic
illness in the U.S. with an annual cost in excess of $18 billion. One in five Americans suffer from allergies
each year. And though spring can bring lots of sneezing and sniffles, it’s important to remember that
there are tools at your disposal – whether your suffering is mild or severe.
Following are some factors to keep in mind as you work to keep your spring allergy symptoms under
control.
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Heading symptoms off at the pass – One thing that many allergy sufferers may not be aware of
is that if you start taking your prescription allergy medications before the worst symptoms hit,
your suffering will be greatly alleviated. Although people think of spring starting in April or May,
spring allergy symptoms start earlier, so it benefits you to start taking your prescription allergy
medications two to three weeks before your symptoms normally appear.
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Early spring is awesome? Not so fast – Although it may seem like a good sign when the winter
weather appears to be clearing up early, it’s not good news for allergy sufferers. A mild winter
can cause early release of pollens from certain trees. Once allergy sufferers are exposed to early
pollen, their immune system is primed to react to allergens, and there will be little relief, even if
temperatures cool down again before spring has sprung for good. If the weather report calls for
a streak of warm days, begin taking your medication.
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Location, location, location –Though some areas of the country tend to get hit harder than
others, tree pollens are bad in all geographic regions. Tree pollen first appears in February, even
in the coldest climates, and peaks twice – in March and April. Your response to pollen can
depend on which pollens you’re allergic to. If you’re someone who is allergic to tree pollen or
grass, you may experience an increase in symptoms no matter where you live.
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Just like every snowflake is different – No two allergy sufferers have the same set of allergic
responses, so you have to treat your allergies according to your symptoms. While some people
may be able to treat their mild allergies with over-the-counter medications, many people
benefit from seeing a board-certified allergist who can diagnose exactly what they’re allergic to,
and create a personal treatment plan.
While there isn’t a cure for spring allergies, there are many treatments an allergist can prescribe
and/or provide. For more severe symptoms, two types of immunotherapy are available: allergy
shots and tablets.
Allergy shots: An immunotherapy treatment program consists of injections of a diluted allergy
extract, administered frequently in increasing doses until a maintenance dose is reached.
Immunotherapy helps the body build resistance to the effects of the allergen, reduces the
intensity of symptoms caused by allergen exposure and sometimes can actually make skin test
reactions, and your allergy, disappear.
Tablets: This type of immunotherapy was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in
2014. Starting at least three months before allergy season begins, patients dissolve a tablet
under the tongue daily. Treatment can continue for as long as three years. Only two allergens
(grass and ragweed pollens) can currently be treated with this method, but it is may be a good
option for patients with grass pollen allergy not controlled with medications.
If you think you might be one of the more than 50 million Americans that suffer from allergy and
asthma, you can track your symptoms with the free online tool, MyNasalAllergyJournal.org. You can also
find an allergist in your area with the ACAAI locator tool.
About ACAAI
The ACAAI is a professional medical organization of more than 6,000 allergists-immunologists and allied
health professionals, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. The College fosters a culture of
collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common
goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research. ACAAI allergists are board-certified physicians
trained to diagnose allergies and asthma, administer immunotherapy, and provide patients with the
best treatment outcomes. For more information and to find relief, visit AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. Join
us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.
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