By Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A.
Associate Professor of Family Medicine
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

ALLERGIES TO AREA POLLENS CAN TAKE YEARS TO DEVELOP

Question: Now that spring is here, my nose is starting to run, and I am sneezing. I have never had this before. I moved to this area about five years ago. What can I do about these symptoms? Why did they just start?

Answer: Allergies can happen year-round. For many people, spring causes the most symptoms, while for others, their allergy season is in the summer and early fall. And, for some unlucky souls, allergies are a year-round phenomenon.

Before answering your question directly, let me explain a bit about allergies and what is happening in your body. Foreign substances, such as pollen, mold or animal dander, to which you have an reaction are called allergens. When one of these allergens enters your body -- in your case, through your nose -- the immune system reacts.

First, your immune system acts as though it’s being invaded by a germ or other harmful substance and, therefore, produces antibodies that circulate in the blood. These antibodies then attach themselves to special mast cells located throughout your body -- but in greater numbers in the nose, throat, lungs and gastrointestinal tract. (You'll recognize these as common sites of allergic reactions.) The mast cells then release various chemicals -- most notably histamine. It is the histamine that causes the runny nose, itchy eyes, wheezing and other symptoms.

The tendency toward allergies runs in families and affects more than 35 million Americans. For many people, allergies develop slowly over time. It is not unusual for a person, like yourself, living in a new area to take four or five years to develop seasonal allergies. About 10 million people in the US have allergies year-round, not just in certain seasons.

There are several things that can be done about allergies. First, you should visit your doctor to see if allergy testing is needed to find out exactly what’s causing your allergic reaction. For people with severe allergies, including wheezing, getting shots to help minimize your reactivity can be very helpful. For others, using medications shortly before and during a certain pollen season can be adequate treatment.

If you have determined that you have a seasonal allergy, here are few other things that can help:
• Sleep with windows closed at night -- the night air can let pollen into your bedroom; • Minimize outdoor trips and activities on days when the pollen count is high; • Use an air conditioner -- even just a room unit can dramatically decrease the levels of pollen; • Don’t hang clothes outside to dry but use a clothes dryer instead (while they may smell fresher outside, they can collect pollen); • Wipe pets with a damp cloth after they have been outside as they can bring pollen in on their coats; • Avoid doing yard work, but if you must, wear a mask; and • Take your medications as directed.

There are many newer medications that can relieve many of the allergy symptoms without such side effects as drowsiness, so consult your physician to see what might be best for you.

Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, P.O. Box 110, Athens, Ohio 45701, or via e-mail to readerquestions@familymedicinenews.org. Medical information in this column is provided as an educational service only. It does not replace the judgment of your personal physician, who should be relied on to diagnose and recommend treatment for any medical conditions. Past columns are available online at www.familymedicinenews.org.