FYI

Allergy Season Looms

As a rise in allergens becomes apparent, experts advise on ways to stay relatively sneeze-free.

It’s that time of year in Oklahoma when itchy, watery eyes and sneezing sneak up on us. Allergies can range from minor discomfort to much worse, depending on the individual.

“ e most common allergens in Oklahoma during the spring are grasses and trees,” says board-certi ed allergist Dean Atkinson, M.D., of the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic in Oklahoma City. “Grasses include fescue, Johnson, bahia, timothy, bluegrass and orchard, which will pollinate in the early spring, whereas Bermuda will pollinate in the late spring and summer.”

Atkinson recommends avoidance of the allergen as an e ective measure to cut back on symptoms.

“ is would include keeping windows closed during the spring and the fall or when pollen counts are high,” he says, along with “allergy-proof encasements for the mattress and pillows and, if possible, washing pets once weekly and keeping them out of the bedroom and o the bed.”

According to Atkinson, the triggers of allergies include exposure to allergens as well as a person’s genetic makeup.

“Families that have parents with allergies are more likely to develop allergic rhinitis or asthma,” he says. “You must be exposed to an allergen to develop sensitivity. Once someone is genetically predisposed, repeated exposures are required in order to develop sensitivity.”

He recommends antihistamines to be used as needed or on a daily basis to help with allergy symptoms. Immunotherapy can also help reduce or eliminate the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Diff erentiating Between Allergies and Illnesses “An allergen is de ned by its capability to elicit an allergic response,” says Brandon Humble, M.D., of the Allergy Clinic of Tulsa. “Put di erently, it’s not something that the molecule did wrong, but rather that the immune system has learned, rightly or wrongly, to see it as a threat and respond accordingly.” is type or allergen usually causes symptoms like runny nose, itchy watery eyes, coughing, sneezing and post nasal drip. e easiest way to tell the di erence between allergies and a di erent type of sickness such as a cold or u is a fever. “Seasonal allergic rhinitis, the most common type of seasonal allergies, will never cause fever outside the setting of an infection like a sinus

MOST infection,” says Humble. “If you have a fever, there is something else going on.”

COMMON Humble agrees avoidance can work for some ALLERGENS IN OKLAHOMA people, depending on the allergens with which their bodies react. “An allergy to cats or peanuts can be more easily • Grasses avoided by staying away from cats or peanuts,” he • Trees says. “But it’s much harder to stay away from grass • Weeds pollen in the air.” • Cockroaches According to Humble, his mother recommended • Animals (particu- a highly e ective remedy to him as a child: saline larly household nasal rinses using boiled or distilled water only. pets such as cats “ e best rst person to talk to is a primary and dogs) care doctor,” he says. “ ey can help determine if • Mold an allergist/immunologist might be of help to a • Dust Mites particular patient with allergies.” DEBI TURLEY