Time to fight spring allergies

Spring is the time when allergy reaches its peak every year with sneezing, stuffy or running nose, scratchy eyes, a nagging cough or itchy skin. More severe allergic symptoms include urticaria or angry hives on the skin and breathlessness or wheezing.

Global observations show that allergies are on the rise year after year; 2011 set a record and experts expect 2012 to be worse. This increase has been attributed to increased levels of carbondioxide in the atmosphere due to global warming, that feeds plants and leads to greater release of pollen in the atmosphere.

The culprit is usually pollen that comes either from grass or from tress. Pollen from blooming plants are carried by the wind and brought on to our bodies where some of them trigger allergic reactions. As they enter the body through the nose and wind-pipes, they often selectively trigger reactions at these sites.

While many allergy experts recommend testing to find out the exact cause like identifying species of plant pollen that causes your symptoms, many feel that this exercise has scant practical value. Being ubiquitously distributed in the wind, it is impossible to selectively protect yourself from a type of pollen, can you? Ragweed and tiger grass are common culprits but the ability of winds and storms to carry pollen as far as 400km makes matters difficult.

Here are 6 tips that could come handy:

1.  Take anti-allergic medications to suppress allergy when required. Some medications cause sedation and should be taken only at night. You should avoid driving when you take them. Few are non-sedating, can be taken in day-time. Find out which one suits you best and stick to it. It is better to take them regularly for a few days still the phase has passed.

2.   Keep your doors and windows closed. As the culprit is usually pollen, and is brought on by the wind, keeping them away can help. “Fresh air” can often aggravate symptoms at such times while air-conditioning may provide relief.

3.   Limit outdoor activities. Contrary to popular belief, walks may aggravate symptoms due to increased exposure to pollens. Spending time in the gym may be a better option.

4.   Keep car windows up to reduce exposure to pollen and wind

5.   Take shower and change clothes frequently. It helps to wash off pollen from the body and reduce exposure to allergens.

6.  Carry anti-allergy medications with you at all times. I recommend that you carry both types – an anti-histamine tablet such as Avil, Cetrizine, or Allegra as well as a tablet of steroid (prednisolone or Betamethasone) that may be required in case of severe allergy such as wheezing due to spasm of the wind-piipes.

If you have had allergies in the past, you could be vulnerable at these times. Allergy can catch you unaware. It is wise to take precautions and be prepared. 

As published in HT City (Hindustan Times) dated 1 April, 2012.