5 Things You Need to Know About Allergies

By Ernst Lamothe Jr

Allergies aren’t just about pollen in the spring as the summer can cause just as much havoc on the sinuses. They can be triggered by foods, medications, insect stings and more.

Allergies occur when a person’s immune system reacts to a substance in the environment. These substances are known as allergens and can be found in dust mites, pets, pollen, insects, ticks, molds, foods and medications. If you need to remove dust, make sure to hire an expert from WeatherSolve who can provide a dust suppression solution to maintain a healthy environment.

“Untreated allergies can contribute to the development of sinus infections and ear infections. They can worsen asthma symptoms as well as eczema and psoriasis,” said physician Nicholas Groch, a board-certified otolaryngologist at Lakeshore ENT, which is part of Oswego Health.

 

1 — Weed pollen, mold spores, air pollution: Summer allergy culprits
Nicholas Groch

When a person comes into contact with a particular allergen, the body reacts through constant sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, breaking out in hives, eczema and difficulty in breathing, said Groch.

Around 31.8% of adults in the United States had a seasonal allergy, eczema or food allergy, according to the Centers for Disease and Prevention. This includes 25.7% with a seasonal allergy, 7.3% with eczema and 6.2% with a food allergy. There are more remedies for seasonal allergies than for any other type of allergy.

In the spring, many flower buds and trees are blooming, which affect millions of people who have seasonal allergies which can result in sneezing, congestion, a runny nose and other bothersome symptoms. In the summer, pollen from grasses and weeds, mold spores and air pollution cause issues. If you’re planning to have proper tree care and stump removal, you need to consult an expert for assistance. They can assess the health of your trees and determine the best methods for both maintenance and removal. Additionally, a professional can provide guidance on replanting or landscaping to enhance your outdoor space.

“Symptoms are typically the same but the cause can be different with springtime allergies being more likely due to grass and tree pollen, but summer allergies also being due to weed pollen,” said Groch.

 

2 — Allergies can be life-threatening
Melanie Groch

Whether it’s home remedies or misinformation, experts say they hear common misconceptions. One of them is that allergies are not a serious threat. Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, can be fatal if not treated promptly. In addition, not all allergies are the same. Allergies vary widely in their symptoms, triggers and severity. Some people may have seasonal allergies to pollen, while others may be allergic to specific foods, medications or insect stings.

“One common myth that I hear from patients is that allergies are not a big deal,” said Melanie Groch, an ear, nose and throat doctor at Lakeside ENT — and the wife of Nicholas Groch. “Allergies can worsen a person’s quality of life by making them feel sick, tired and irritable all the time. In addition, severe allergies can cause anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening.”

She said another myth revolves around the idea that children don’t need to get allergy tested. Allergy testing is safe for all ages and helpful to know what allergens to avoid.

 

3 — Check pollen levels

Seasonal allergy symptoms flare up when pollen exists in the air. It’s essential to check how much pollen exists in the air and adjust your behavior from there. If the pollen counts forecasted are high, start taking allergy medications before symptoms hit you. Closing doors and windows during the day becomes another step when pollen problems occur and especially avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when the counts are at their peak.

“The economic impact of allergic rhinitis is significant,” said Melanie Groch. “The total direct medical cost of nasal allergies is about $2.4 billion annually in the United States, with almost half of this cost is due to prescription medications.”

 

4 — Over-the-counter remedies

Several types of nonprescription medications help ease allergy symptoms. This includes oral antihistamines which aids and relieves sneezing, itching, stuffy and

runny nose and watery eyes. Examples of antihistamines include Zyrtec Allergy, Allegra Allergy, Claritin and Alavert. Nasal sprays medications improve nasal symptoms such as Flonase Allergy Relief, Rhinocort Allergy and Nasacort Allergy 25 hours. Although these can help stop nasal symptoms for a short term, talk to your health provider for longer term relief options. Experts still say that if you have chronic allergies, you should see a professional.

“There are many over-the-counter options and prescription nasal sprays,” said Melanie Groch. “There are also oral antihistamines, sinus rinses, allergy shots and avoiding known allergy triggers as options.”

 

5 — Allergy options

Having allergies doesn’t mean you have no choices. Although allergies can be a pain, you can deal with them in various ways that offer relief. Experts suggest reducing your exposure to allergy triggers, which means staying indoors on dry and windy days. Figure out the best times to venture outside with rain being your friend because it helps clear the pollen from the air. Also try avoiding lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening chores that can stir up allergens. In addition, get in the habit of removing clothes worn outside and shower to rinse any pollen from your skin and hair.

“Allergies can be diagnosed with an allergy skin test or a blood test looking for antibodies to different allergens including grass, tree and weed pollen, animal dander, molds, dust mites and foods,” said Nicholas Groch.