| Seasonal allergies caused by pollen and other allergens | | | | allergens and improve seasonal allergies symptoms. |
| affect 40 million Americans and cost more than $1 | | | | Here are some from WebMD: |
| billion in annual treatment costs. | | | | - Wear a protective mask when gardening or doing |
| Manifestations of Seasonal Allergies | | | | yard work. |
| Although it's usually not a dangerous condition, it can | | | | - Modify the indoor environment to keep out |
| be very uncomfortable and, for some people, can | | | | allergens, says Clifford W. Bassett, MD, vice chairman |
| severely interrupt daily activities. The standard | | | | of the Public Education Committee of the American |
| reactions of seasonal allergies include sneezing, itchy | | | | Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. For |
| throat, headache, swollen sinuses, runny nose, and | | | | instance, use HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) |
| itchy, watery eyes. | | | | filters in air conditioners to better trap pollen spores. |
| Differentiate Seasonal Allergies From Common Cold | | | | "Change air condition filters often," he says. |
| Symptoms of seasonal allergies occur suddenly and | | | | - Check pollen counts before you travel to avoid |
| continue as long as the person exposed to the | | | | seasonal allergies. "If you are traveling with allergies, |
| allergen " cause of allergy". Fever is not usually | | | | consider vacations near the ocean or bays," Bassett |
| present but sneezing is a prominent feature and | | | | says. "Pollen counts there are typically lower." To find |
| more commonly associated with wheezing. Nasal | | | | pollen counts, contact the National Allergy Bureau |
| discharge is usually clear, watery and less viscous | | | | which offers reports to the public. Or check your |
| than that of common cold. | | | | local weather report; some provide pollen and mold |
| Causes of Seasonal Allergies | | | | spore counts. |
| Airborne pollen from various plants-or, in some cases, | | | | - Protect your eyes. On vacation and at home, wear |
| spores from mold-find its way into the body through | | | | sunglasses when outdoors to reduce the amount of |
| the eyes, nose, or throat, and trigger an allergic | | | | pollen coming into the eyes, Bassett suggests. |
| reaction. In normal individual, the immune system | | | | - "Wash your hair at the end of the day to wash out |
| does not respond to mild substances like pollen and | | | | pollens," Bassett suggests. That will help avoid pollen |
| mold. But in sensitive individuals -genetically | | | | transfer to the pillowcase. |
| susceptible-, the body's defense mechanism views | | | | - Exercise in the morning or late in the day, Bassett |
| these allergens as it would an infectious agent and | | | | says, when pollen counts are typically lower than at |
| mounts an attack. Once the immune system has | | | | other hours. Know that pollen counts typically are |
| detected the "invader," it triggers a cascade of | | | | higher on a hot, windy, sunny day compared with a |
| chemicals such as histamine and other compounds | | | | cool day without much wind. |
| causing inflammation that leads to irritation and | | | | - Check the dog. "Pets can bring in pollen," says |
| discomfort. | | | | Pamela Georgeson, DO, member of the AAAAI Public |
| How to Avoid Seasonal Allergies | | | | Education committee and an allergist in Chesterfield |
| Avoiding the allergens is the No.1 measure suggested | | | | Township, Mich. You might consider rinsing off the |
| by allergy experts. There are many steps you can | | | | dog if he was outside on a high-pollen day, she says. |
| take to eliminate or minimize your exposure to | | | | |