Recognizing Spring Allergy Triggers AAAAI News Release

[Guest guest]

Recognizing Spring Allergy Triggers

from An April 2003 AAAAI News Release

http://allergies.about.com/cs/season/a/blaaaai041503.htm

Learn to Avoid the Troublesome Allergy Triggers

April showers can bring May flowers. But they also bring out the

grass and tree pollen that trigger sneezing, watery eyes and runny

noses for the country's 35.9 million seasonal allergy sufferers.

" Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is triggered by allergens,

substances that initiate an allergic response, such as pollens or

molds, " said Jay M. Portnoy, MD FAAAAI, past chair of the AAAAI's

Aerobiology Committee. " Many trees, grasses and weeds have small,

light and dry pollens that are easily carried by the wind, which is

why allergy symptoms flare up in the spring. "

For allergy sufferers, it is important to know which allergens

trigger their symptoms, and when to watch for them:

Trees pollinate earliest, from late February through May in most of

the country, although this may fluctuate in different locations.

Trees that disperse allergens include oak, elm, birch, ash, hickory,

poplar, sycamore, maple, cypress, walnut and western cedar.

Grasses follow next in the cycle, distributing their pollens May to

July. Grasses to watch out for are timothy, Bermuda, orchard, red

top and sweet vernal. In late summer and fall weeds such as ragweed,

sagebrush, pigweed, Russian thistle and cocklebur become problematic

for allergy sufferers.

Each of these plants has a period of pollination that does not vary

greatly from year to year. However, weather conditions can affect

the amount of pollen in the air at any given time. The pollinating

season starts later in the spring the further north one goes.

Generally, the pollen season lasts from February or March through

October.

" Molds are also an allergic trigger, " Portnoy said.

Mold spores tend to peak in late spring and again in late fall when

there is a lot of moisture in the atmosphere. They are affected by

changing weather conditions, such as wind, rain or temperature.

Allergy symptoms are often minimal on days that are rainy, cloudy or

windless because pollen and mold spores do not move about in these

conditions. Hot, dry and windy weather signals greater pollen and

mold distribution and thus increases allergy symptoms. Pollen and

spores also tend to increase just prior to thunderstorms.

Allergy sufferers should be aware of the amount of pollen and mold

in the air before venturing out. Minimizing outdoor activity on days

when the pollen count or humidity is reported to be high or on windy

days when mold and pollen are blown about will help to reduce

allergy symptoms. To find out the pollen count for your area, visit

the National Allergy Bureau (NAB) Web site. The NAB is the nation's

only pollen and mold counting network certified by the AAAAI. As a

free service to the public, the NAB compiles pollen and mold counts

from certified stations across the nation and reports them to the

media three times each week.

Symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis include sneezing, congestion,

a runny nose, and itchiness in the nose, roof of mouth, throat, eyes

and ears. An allergist/immunologist can help treat and lessen

symptoms by prescribing medications and treatment methods. The AAAAI

recommends keeping windows closed at night to prevent pollens or

molds from drifting into the home, and to avoid hanging sheets or

clothing out to dry, as pollen and molds collect on them.