Tame Your Seasonal Allergies
5 ways to keep your misery to a minimum. :: BY LYNN ALLISON
A
llergies can make life miserable. In the fall and right
through to the first frost,
ragweed pollen can trigger symptoms that include nasal congestion, sneezing, postnasal drip, and itchy, watery eyes. Allergy to mold spores continues
into winter, with elevated levels at harvest season and when leaves start to fall. The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention estimates that as many as 60 million Americans suffer from symptoms of allergic rhinitis, the medical term for allergies or hay fever, that can occur seasonally or year-round. The prevalence ranges from 10%
to 40% of children and adults in the United States, says Jill A. Poole, M.D., a member of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America Medical Scientific Council. “This number has been relatively
stable in the past several years but has historically increased when compared to 20 years ago,” she tells Newsmax. “Climate change has been
implicated in increasing the time
outdoor activities are typically best done in the afternoon or evening,” Nish says.
2 3
Keep windows closed at home and in your car. Consider showering
and changing your clothing when you are back inside if you have been outdoors when the pollen count is high.
Replace your home filters and your vehicle’s interior cabin filter.
Bryce Wylde, a natural healthcare practitioner and author of Power Plants, tells Newsmax that installing a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can remove at least 99.97% of dust, mold, pollen, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns.
period of allergy seasons, increasing allergen burden and potentially increasing allergen potency.” Andy Nish, M.D., medical director
of the Northeast Georgia Physicians Group, explains that allergies are caused by small particles of pollen that interact with mast cells, a type of white blood cell in the body producing and releasing histamine and other chemical mediators. Fall allergies are triggered mostly
by ragweed. One ragweed plant can produce an incredible 1 billion grains of pollen, he says. Nish explains that while allergy
symptoms can be mild to severe, in some individuals they can be life- threatening if their asthma is not well-controlled. “Some people can be so sensitive
to allergens that when they are exposed, they can be at risk for anaphylaxis, which is a severe, potentially life-threatening reaction,” he tells Newsmax. How best to cope:
1
Avoid exposure to pollen as much as possible. Try to stay indoors on
days when the pollen count is high. “Pollen tends to be highest in the mornings and early afternoon, so
4
Take over-the-counter medications. Nasal steroids, such
as Flonase or Nasacort, are some of the most effective medicines we have for allergic rhinitis, Nish says. “They do, however, take some
period of time to kick in, so starting the nose spray daily a couple of weeks before the anticipated season is a good idea,” he says. “In addition, antihistamines can
be helpful, and most of these are now over-the-counter.”
5
Supplements may be helpful. Poole says taking vitamins A, E,
and D along with omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the adverse effects of allergies. When over-the-counter
medications are not enough to tame allergy symptoms, Poole suggests consulting with a physician or allergist. “Many times, a combination of
nasal sprays with antihistamines are required,” she says. “In addition, there are
prescription medications that can be beneficial. Specific allergy skin testing may be warranted to identify special triggers and to guide allergy desensitization.”
NOVEMBER 2022 | NEWSMAX MAXLIFE 91
GORICA POTURAK/SHUTTERSTOCK
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