Health Services
Self Care

Allergies

If you have seasonal allergies, you are not alone. Between 20 and 25% of the population suffers from them. Seasonal allergies often flair up in the Spring after the rain when flowers, trees and plants such as grass, release pollen into the air we breathe. Allergies like these can flair up anytime because potential allergy causing substances are around all year. But because people spend more time outside in the Spring, and because there are more blooming plants at that time of year, symptoms can worsen.

The cause of allergic reactions is based in the immune system. Antigens on the pollen of plants activates antibodies on white blood cells to release histamines which cause the allergic reaction. The body detects harmless pollen as an invader and responds as it normally would; it releases histamines. But with allergies, the body produces much more than is necessary. This excess histamine then binds with other cells to produce the symptoms of allergies such as sneezing, itchy eyes, and a stuffy nose.

Medical science does not know why allergies develop. But there are certain things people can do to minimize their discomfort.

Many people find some relief in over-the-counter medications. The two main treatments are antihistamines and decongestants. Antihistamines are preferable because they help control the actual cause of the allergic reaction, the histamines. However, they can make you drowsy which is undesirable to most students. Instead, many take decongestants but they only partially relieve nasal symptoms and do not deal with the allergic reaction. Some people take an over-the-counter combination of the two. The Engle Center stocks antihistamines, decongestants and combination medications. There are also less sedating antihistamines available by prescription and prescription nasal inhalers that are non-sedating. The nasal inhalers are a corticosteroid and work to decrease the nasal irritation and symptoms. The doctor will decide when these would be appropriate and write a prescription for them.

In most cases, the medications work within a half hour. They do wear off, but can be taken up to four times per day. However, the best way to avoid an allergic reaction is to avoid the allergen, if possible. Plenty of fluid intake, especially water, is also important. If all else fails, allergy skin testing is available by a physician who specializes in allergies, but it is a lengthy process that requires injections one to two times a week for several months. People with seasonal allergies probably would not benefit from this procedure when you balance time and cost factors.

Most seasonal allergies are simply endured. People who have reactions for only a couple of weeks out of the year may simply opt to use a prescription nasal corticosteroid. It may help a person with seasonal allergies to sleep with their windows closed so pollens cannot get into their homes and avoid laying on the grass if that irritates symptoms. If a sore throat develops, drink plenty of fluids including hot tea, but if the soreness does not resolve, a cold may have developed in addition to the allergy symptoms.