Spring is in the air! But for some, there is something else in the air - and it’s not so pretty. Spring hay fever, otherwise known as allergic rhinitis, affects about 20 percent of Americans and ranks as one of the most common and recurring illnesses in the U.S. The condition occurs when our immune system overreacts to allergens such as pollen from ragweed, grasses and trees. When the air we breathe is carrying a full load of allergens, our immune system assaults these particles like ants invading a summer picnic.

If you suffer from these symptoms, you’re not alone. According to the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, more than 35 million Americans who have allergic rhinitis. Two-thirds of all allergy patients have symptoms of allergic rhinitis before the age of 30, but onset can occur at any age. Allergic rhinitis affects adult men and women equally, although boys up to the age of 10 are twice as likely as girls to have symptoms.

Some of us can simply blame our parents, since genetics appear to be a key factor in determining susceptibility. If one parent has allergic rhinitis, their children have about a 30 percent chance of developing allergic rhinitis; the risk increases to 50 percent if both parents have a history of allergies.

Springtime Symptoms You May Experience:

• Repetitive sneezing
• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Itchy eyes, ears, nose or throat
• Generalized fatigue
• Wheezing
• Eye tearing
• Sore throat
• Impaired smell
• Sinus headaches
• Ear plugging

Will it go away eventually?
People with allergies usually have symptoms for many years. You may get other problems such as sinusitis and ear infections as a result of your allergies. You may also have symptoms often during the year, or just at certain times such as the spring.

What are the primary causes of allergic reactions?
Pollens most commonly cause allergic rhinitis are from trees, grasses, and weeds that thrive during the spring and summer seasons. However, many people are allergic to year-round allergens. Animal allergens and house mite dust are the common important indoor allergens. Things in the workplace, such as cereal grain, wood dust, chemicals, or lab animals, can also cause allergic rhinitis no matter what season it is.

Know your best practices and treatment options.
The goal of treatment is by reducing allergy symptoms altogether. Avoidance of an allergen or minimization of contact with it is the best treatment, but some relief may be found with the following medications/remedies:

• Antihistamines: (pill or liquid form)
  • Over-the-counter: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), Loratadine (Claritin), Chlorpheniramine Maleate (Chlortrimton), and, Clemastine (Tavist).
  • Prescription: Desloratadine (Claramax), Fexofenadine (Allegra), Montelukast (Singulair), cetirizine (Zyrtec).
• Decongestants: (pill or liquid form)
  • Over-the-counter: pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
  • Prescription: loratadine and pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D), Fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine (Allegra D).
• Nasal steroid sprays
• Eye drops such as Emadine (Aldara) and Levocabastine hydrochloride (Livostin) or non-prescription Oxymetazoline ophthalmic (Visine)
• Allergy shots

How do I find out whether I have allergies?
To find out if you have allergies, contact your doctor to schedule a visit. Knowing what symptoms you have, when you get them, and what makes them worse or better will help your doctor know whether you have allergies or another problem.

What steps can I take to ease the condition?
There is no cure for allergic rhinitis, although many over the counter drugs help. Avoid the things that cause your allergies. You may need to clean your house often to get rid of dust, animal dander, or molds. Or you may need to stay indoors when pollen counts are high. Over time, allergens may begin to affect you less, and your symptoms may not be as severe as you age allowing you to get outside and tend to that blossoming garden.

Here are some web sites for more detailed information:
pollenlibrary.com
nwasthma.com