Autumn Allergies: Here Are Some Ways to Reduce the Symptoms

BILOXI, Miss. _ Ragweed make you sneeze?

It’s probably not just ragweed that sets off your allergies, but it has the worst reputation among plant pollens that cause seasonal allergic rhinitis. That’s the sneezing, wheezing, runny, itchy nose, running down the throat, watery eyes and congestion that for the unlucky leads to sinus infections and asthma flare-ups.

Ragweed is a local autumn bugaboo, but it’s not alone on the Mississippi Coast.

“Like everywhere else, ragweed is the big fall problem here but there is also a concentration of mold spores, particularly now that our autumn weather has gotten a little cooler,” said Dr. Douglas Leavengood of Biloxi, who began on the Coast as an allergy/immunology specialist 22 years ago.

“Ragweed may be the best known of the fall pollens, but we also have pigweed, lambs quarter, English plantain, yellow dock, grass, even a little bit of sage brush here. Most people don’t have reactions to pollens.”

Note he didn’t mention goldenrod, which many mistakenly rank with ragweed.

Allergies can be to foods, plants, pets, dust mites, chemicals, metals and other substances. This time of year, especially in temperate climates that experience autumn a little later and longer, medical professionals deal most with problems aggravated by pollens and mold spores.

“But about one-fourth of the population will have an allergy to something,” Leavengood said.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology estimates 50 million Americans suffer from allergies, and that’s why allergies are listed as the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in this country. Allergies are estimated to cost the health care system about $18 billion a year and $3.8 million in lost work and school days per year.

Obviously, allergies are nothing to sneeze at.

Mold spores, for a starter, come from a microscopic fungi that is related to mushrooms but has no stems, roots or leaves. The miniscule spores that float in the air, such as pollen, are present year-round in the South and affected by weather conditions such as wind, rain or temperature.

Pollens, on the other hand, are tiny, egg-shaped male cells necessary for fertilization of flowering plants. Most pollen particles are less than the width of an average human hair.

“I think the last two autumns have been worse for allergies than average,” said Leavengood. “Just look around you. How many empty lots do you see and what do you see growing on them? Weeds.

“I think we’ve just had more pollen-producing plants thriving since Hurricane Katrina cleared so much land of buildings and houses. We now have a lot more unattended territory. Do I have proof of that, no, but just look at all the plants.”

Plant allergies are mostly trees and grass pollens in the spring and weeds and grass pollen in the fall. Mold spores are year-round.

The only way to determine for certain what sets you off is to have an allergy test. Skin allergy tests, which involve multiple pricks of needles, are about $350 to $400; blood tests for allergies are about double that in cost.

Allergists point to three ways to treat allergy symptoms _ avoidance, medication and allergy shots _ but they are quick to point out that nothing is a “cure.”

Avoidance for fall allergies includes keeping grass mowed to decrease pollen production, avoiding outdoors in early morning when pollen counts are highest, and maintaining air conditioning and heating filters once a month.

The second allergy treatment, medications, include over-the-counter remedies such as Claritin or its main ingredient, Loratadine, which Leavengood describes as having few side effects. Diphenhydramine hydrochloride, the ingredient in Benadryl, is another but can cause drowsiness. There are also plentiful prescription allergy medicines, eye drops and nasal steroids that your doctor can prescribe.

The third treatment, desensitizing shots, can be a three-year regime that can bring long-term remission of symptoms to specific allergens.

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SUGGESTIONS FOR CONTROLLING OUTDOOR ALLERGIES

Here are the allergy do’s and don’ts suggested by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. More suggestions and information can be found on the Web site, aaaai.org.

These are suggested to lessen exposure during the pollen and mold seasons:

_Do keep windows closed at night to prevent pollens or molds from drifting into your home.

_Do minimize early morning activity when pollen is usually emitted, between 5-10 a.m.

_Do keep your car windows closed when traveling.

_Do try to stay indoors when the pollen count or humidity is reported to be high, and on windy days when dust and pollen are blown about.

_Do take a vacation during the height of the pollen season to a more pollen-free area, such as the beach or sea.

_Do take medications prescribed by your allergist/immunologist regularly, in the recommended dosage.

_Don’t take more medication than recommended in an attempt to lessen your symptoms.

_Don’t mow lawns or be around freshly cut grass; mowing stirs up pollens and molds.

_Don’t rake leaves, as this also stirs up molds.

_Don’t hang sheets or clothing out to dry. Pollens and molds may collect in them.

_Don’t grow too many, or overwater, indoor plants if you are allergic to mold. Wet soil encourages mold growth.

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(c) 2007, The Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.).

Visit The Sun Herald Online at http://www.sunherald.com/

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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