Sniffling, wheezing and sneezing: Must be allergy season

(NC) – Year after year, spring rolls in full of sunshine and crisp air, and seasonal allergy sufferers head indoors to escape pesky tree and grass pollens. Ever wonder what causes the sniffling, watery/itchy eyes and nasal congestion? Seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis) are caused by the immune system’s interactions with pollens in the air.

What is pollen?

Technically defined, pollen is a powder that is produced by specific plants when they reproduce during the spring, summer and fall seasons. The most common types of pollen come from non-fruit bearing plants, grasses, weeds and trees like birch, oak, elm, and maple to name a few. Pollen is picked up by the wind, allowing it to fertilize other plants, oftentimes hundreds of miles away.

Blame it on pollution

Remember those hot, muggy days, where you step outside and can feel the density of the air? Allergy sufferers beware. Recent studies have found that higher levels of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere can lead to a boost in pollen production, making symptoms more severe for allergy sufferers.

“In the summer months, poor air quality and pollution can make breathing tough,” says Dr. Mark Greenwald, a Toronto allergist. “The combination of smog and pollen, also known as smollen, can make breathing very difficult for asthma patients and allergy sufferers. Antihistamines like Reactine offer 24-hour relief from allergy symptoms, and start to work in just 20 minutes.”

Manage your symptoms and get outdoors

A recent survey conducted by Harris-Decima on behalf of Reactine discovered that nine out of ten allergy sufferers are not proactive when it comes to taking their allergy medication. The allergy sufferer has to get a head start by starting their antihistamine at the onset of allergy symptoms, to better manage symptoms and enjoy the outdoors.

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