Watery and itchy eyes? Runny nose? Sneezing?
You could be suffering from Allergies.
From late April through May, pollen from trees is the major cause of allergy flare-ups. Grass and weed pollen is the main culprit from Late May to mid July. Once fall begins, from late August to the first frost, ragweed is the most common offender. An Allergy is your body’s overreaction to a normally harmless substance. This reaction commonly causes symptoms like the following:
Runny nose
Watery eyes
Sneezing
Stuffy nose
Itchy nose, eyes and roof of mouth
Pressure in the nose and cheeks
Ear fullness and popping
Dark circles under the eyes
Hives
Some of the most common allergens include:
Pollen
Mold spores
Animal dander
Dust and dust mites
There are some things you can do to help control your exposure to these common allergens:
Wear a pollen mask when mowing the lawn or cleaning the house.
Change air filters monthly in heating and air conditioning systems
Install an air purifier
Keep windows and doors closed during heavy pollen season
Remove indoor plants and other sources of mildew
Don’t allow dander-producing animals in your home
Change feather pillows, woolen blankets, and woolen clothing to cotton or synthetic materials.
Enclose mattress, box springs, and pillows in a plastic barrier cloth.
Use antihistamine and decongestants as recommended by your physician.
Observe general good health practices, exercise daily, stop smoking, avoid air pollutants, eat a balanced diet, and supplement diet with vitamins, especially vitamin C.
Visit these sites for more information:
General/Diagnosis:
Airborne Allergens: Something in the Air (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) - Large PDF file
What Is an Allergic Reaction? (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
http://www.aaaai.org/nab/index.cfm?p=faq
Frequently Asked Questions about Allergies (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
Frequently Asked Questions about Allergies (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
Allergy Skin Tests (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
What Is Allergy Testing? (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
Treatment:
Allergy Medications: Know Your Options (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Allergy Shots: Hope for Long-Term Allergy Relief (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Asthma and Allergy Medications (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
Prevention:
Allergens and Irritants (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)
Environmental Control Measures (Nemours Foundation)
For more links on allergy, visit: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/allergy.html
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