Allergies bring misery to millions at this time each year, and health professionals are warning the public this year could be a hard allergy season.
Allergens are foreign substances that enter the human body. Most people can take in these substances with little or no difficulty. However, the immune systems of people who suffer from allergies overreact to these materials, causing the uncomfortable feelings.
"For people with allergies, their immune systems are working too hard and react even when relatively harmless substances, such as pollen, are present. The severity of an allergic reaction can vary from mild discomfort to life threatening situations," Pollen.com reports.
Symptoms of allergies to pollen and other plant materials include sneezing, nasal congestion, coughing, runny nose, stomach discomfort and itchy throat.
Weather can play an important role for those sensitive to allergens.
California may still be feeling the effects of a long-term drought, but allergy suffers there are already starting to feel the effects of pollen, ragweed, and other irritants. Some physicians believe the dry conditions are creating earlier symptoms, which could last longer than normal, thanks to the weather conditions.
Allergies often pass on from one generation to another, meaning children are likely to suffer from the same allergies as their parents.
Skin tests are used to determine substances to which a patient may be allergic. This is accomplished by either scratching, or injecting a small amount of allergen under skin and observing the reaction. Doctors quiz patients about lifestyle habits and the time spent outdoors, to determine the cause of allergy symptoms.
Antihistamines are often the first line of treatment for those suffering from allergies. These work because when allergens produce histamines, which are responsible for many of the typical symptoms of allergies, including runny noses and eyes. These drugs come in the form of pills, eye drops, nasal sprays or liquid. Among the best-known are Clarinex, Benadryl, and Allegra. Some medicines include both an antihistamine and decongestant.
"Drugs such as Benadryl, Chlor-Trimeton, and Tavist and belong to an older group known as 'first-generation' antihistamines. They tend to cause more side effects, particularly drowsiness. Newer-generation antihistamines such as Allegra, Clarinex, and Zyrtec and have fewer side effects, so they may be a better choice for some people," WebMD states.
Patients are usually advised to stay indoors whenever possible during spring, avoiding the pollen, dander, and other allergens that are abundant in the air at this time of year. However, the warm weather brings many people outdoors.
Photo: William Brawley | Flickr
