It's Allergy Season

Actually, it is always allergy season in Texas. Thanks to our warm climate, things never really die in Central Texas so we can’t really claim a single allergy season; it’s more about which allergens are high or low at a given time. As well, there is never a time we’re not exposed to things like animal dander, dust mites, mold, and even cockroaches.

Kerstin Gillespie, Doctorate Level Nurse Practitioner and founder of Aspire Family Medical offers some basics about allergies and when it’s time to see your provider.

The Basics

Typically, when our bodies first contact something perceived as harmful, we feel fine. Meanwhile, inside, we are making Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies specific to fighting that substance if we are exposed again. At the second exposure,” Kerstin says, “the allergen finds those new antibodies and sets off a cascade of reactions. The antibodies seek out mast cells [mastocytes], which ‘explode’ with a lot of histamines. Those histamines do a great job of fighting off the foreign agents, but they also do a good job of making you feel horrible. This is when you start sneezing and itching. Your nasal passages may fill with fluid and you get watery eyes, a rash, congestion, and more. So, histamines are great about fighting off those invaders, but your body is being overzealous because these allergens won’t really harm you.”

Is it Allergies or a Virus?

Kerstin says there is overlap, but adds, “Allergies may give you an irritated throat, but without the pain and swollen feeling. Cold and flu usually don’t last as long, so if you are the type to ‘tough it out’ but feel unwell for more than 10 days, it is likely not a virus.” Another distinction is that allergies come on quite quickly, whereas a cold or flu may have you feeling gradually worse over several days.

What to Do

A common solution is to have allergy shots, which introduce allergens to the body in very small doses. Shots are given, with decreasing frequency, until antibodies learn the substance is not lethal. “They are not a quick fix, but they stop the allergy by blocking the pathway that created the reaction in the first place. It is also a preferred option if you want to avoid taking several pills or nasal doses every day.”

There are many over-the-counter medicines that can help alleviate symptoms, but she strongly recommends speaking with a doctor about side effects; “Just because it is OTC does not mean that it is not harmful. For example, Claritin-D has the same ingredients as Sudafed, which not only constricts blood vessels in your nose, but everywhere else too. So, if you have high blood pressure or arrhythmia, it will make your nose stop running, but it is very bad for your circulatory health.” She also recommends keeping track of your response seasons and start your symptom treatment two to three weeks earlier each year to build up your non-response ahead of time.

Some of her patients recommend local honey as a natural option. There is no scientific evidence that it is a cure, but a teaspoon or two a day introduces microscopic allergens in a natural way, with no side effects. “Honey is also a natural antioxidant, thins out mucous, and can help with a cough.”

In any case, it is time to call your provider if you have allergies, but also develop symptoms of flu or cold; one does not preclude having the other. “Providers cannot cure any of those three, but we can certainly help you manage symptoms and feel a lot better.”