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Surviving Allergies: Causes, Types, Treatment & Allergy Prevention
Lisa Reisman • Aug 28, 2019
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Surviving Allergies
Mother Nature sure has way of letting us know she’s there, going from a winter wonderland, to showing spring blooms and greening trees. Seasons are part of the Earth’s beauty, there’s no doubt. What isn’t beautiful is the toll it takes on our bodies. The culprit — allergies.
Our bodies are reactive vessels. Allergic reactions are caused when unwanted invaders enter these vessels causing our immune system to fight back. We have unique antibodies serving as bodyguards so-to-speak, and they help trigger this immune response which aims to stop further infection, recognizing and terminating defective cells. “These reactions often involve tissue destruction, blood vessel dilation, and production of many inflammatory substances including histamine,”says health provider ENT of Georgia. Histamine is a commonly used term used with allergies, being that it produces the most familiar of symptoms like itchy swollen eyes, sneezing, and nasal congestion.
"One main classification of allergens is either seasonal or perennial," Dr. Goldsobel of Stanford University Medical Center explains. Technically, pollen is what is thought of as causing seasonal (spring or fall) allergies, but it depends on the local climate. In the southernmost part of the U.S., it never freezes. Pollen levels are measurable year-round, though most intense in spring and fall." Pollen season in specific, can create among the largest immune response from the body. Ragweed, being the main contributor to allergic rhinitis, can cause allergy symptoms in “10-20 percent of Americans in late summer,” says Dr. Luke Beno, Pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente Cascade Medical Center in Atlanta, GA.
Dr. Beno also suggests that seasons most likely follow a recurring pattern— “From February to May, trees produce the most pollen, from April to August, grasses dominate pollen production, and from July to September, the majority of pollen comes from weeds.”
You might want to rethink your morning stroll through Grant Park; lined with different types of trees, pollen counts are highest in the morning and you’ll run the risk of having your clothing attract allergens and irritate your body.
Early springtime is the hardest for those living in Georgia. Dr. Marissa Shams, a professor of medicine and pediatrics at the Emory Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology Program claims it’s Georgia’s bounty of trees and their robust response making “tree season” the main allergy season for the Peach State. In the Atlanta area, pine and oak trees have been linked to sharing a pollen season, which create high amounts of yellow “dust,” that you’ll see layering itself onto your car and every other surface outside. Dr. Beno suggests paying attention to your individual symptoms however, saying most people aren’t allergic to this famous yellow haze. Given the fact that local weather pollen counts are dominated by this pine and oak percentage, it’s sometimes difficult to find what makes your body react. “It really does not matter what the pollen count shows, unless you happen to be allergic to the pollen that is being reported. Just because you may be allergic to cedar does not mean necessarily that you are allergic to beech, or lilac or ragweed.
Other allergens can include things like pet dander, and household dust mites, which become worse in the winter season when windows are closed and circulation is minimal. Mold is another one to watch out for, because its spores live year long. Dead leaves and moisture breeds mold, which can be more prevalent around farmland in humid areas of the South.
While most of us can take antihistamines for allergic reactions, a large number of widely prescribed medicines are not recommended to help the older community handle their allergies because most raise blood pressure and have negative side effects when mixed with other drugs. Depending on current medications and dosage, nasal sprays are a good treatment plan to help with allergies, aiming to increase moisture in the nose, chlorpheniramine however, should be avoided because it can dry nasal membranes.
Another option for seniors and helping fight allergies is diet. Nutritionists claim a rich anti-inflammatory based diet will decrease allergy symptoms— foods like apples, flax seeds, blueberries, ginger, and leafy greens, are all good to incorporate. Additionally, avoid opening windows during your peak allergy season, and don’t hang your clothing outside to dry because pollen and mold can cling to garments then following you inside your home. Natural remedies should also be considered when dealing with allergies.
Apple cider vinegar is widely used in the homeopathic world; drinking a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with tea or water three times a day will help reduce mucous production and cleanse the lymphatic system. Medical professionals might also suggest the use of a Neti pot—the teapot meets Aladdin’s lamp type of container that holds a saline rinse. These pots can either be ceramic or plastic (less breakable if used in the shower), and have been used for centuries to treat sinus infections and allergies. Users are instructed to tilt their head to one side, and pour the saline rinse into one nostril at a time waiting for it to shoot out the other side of the nose. Daily use is suggested for the most relief. WebMD provides a more specific explanation of how these Neti pots work by saying it has to do with the tiny cilia that cover the inside of our sinus cavities. “These cilia wave back and forth to push mucus either to the back of the throat where it can be swallowed, or to the nose to be blown out. Saline solution can help increase the speed and improve coordination of the cilia so that they may more effectively remove the allergens and other irritants that cause sinus problems.”
All in all, allergies are something we need to tackle to live a normal, healthy life. With so many different allergens floating around it’s best to start with an allergy test to see your biggest stressor on the body and talk with a physician to come up with the best treatment plan. Keep physical activity out of Atlanta parks because they’re home to a wide range of vegetation. If you’re strolling around with your pet, make sure you dust off your pet’s paws and wash your clothing upon entering your house, and be sure to incorporate immune- boosting foods into your diet.
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