Spring fever
Pollen counts at record highs
by Rebekah Scruggs
Issue date: 4/14/08 Section: Connections
Spring is in the air, and that means pollen is, too. Spring is a warm and sunny season; most people look forward to the flowers. However, allergy sufferers aren't so excited. For most people, spring is about enjoying the sun and vibrant colors. However, for allergy sufferers, it's all about watery eyes, an itchy nose and nasty headaches.
Flowers blooming mark the beginning of spring. The pollen in flowers is taken by the wind to other flowers. This is the way that flowers reproduce. The pollen released is one cause of spring allergies. According to www.msnbc.msn.com, tree pollen and mold spores from the outdoors are two other causes.
Hay fever is one problem that people with spring allergies have to deal with. Hay fever occurs due to an abnormal response from a person's immune system to an unharmful substance. A person's immune system makes immunoglobulin E, or IgE, antibodies that give the body strength to fight harmful sustances. Usually, tree pollen that people inhale causes hay fever. During the body's reaction to tree pollen, immunity cells release strong chemicals. One of those chemicals is called histamine, and causes the pain and inconvenience that comes with hay fever.
According to emedicinehealth.com, side effects of hay fever include sneezing, runny or congested nose, watery, blood-shot eyes, fatigue and trouble sleeping. Freshman Anthony Saputo experiences spring allergies.
"I usually take Claritin to keep my allergies under control," says Saputo. "It helps me with sneezing and itchy, watery eyes without making me drowsy."
The trick to coping with spring allergies such as hay fever is to get a skin test and confirm you have allergies. After the allergy trigger or triggers are discovered, it can be avoided or treated.
Freshman Montez Jones says, "I don't take medicine for my allergies. All I do is try to avoid going outside as much as possible, especially when the pollen count is high. This way I don't use man-made products and I have less allergic reactions to pollen."
Hay fever doesn't always have to be treated medically. There are a number of steps a person can follow to treat it. One way to get rid of hay fever is to gargle one to two teaspoons of salt in an eight ounce glass of warm water. This remedy helps relieve soar throats caused by hay fever. Taking a non-prescription antihistamine, like Benadryl, suppresses the sneezing, runny or congested nose and itchy, watery eyes. The side effects of Benadryl can help reduce fatigue.
Flowers blooming mark the beginning of spring. The pollen in flowers is taken by the wind to other flowers. This is the way that flowers reproduce. The pollen released is one cause of spring allergies. According to www.msnbc.msn.com, tree pollen and mold spores from the outdoors are two other causes.
Hay fever is one problem that people with spring allergies have to deal with. Hay fever occurs due to an abnormal response from a person's immune system to an unharmful substance. A person's immune system makes immunoglobulin E, or IgE, antibodies that give the body strength to fight harmful sustances. Usually, tree pollen that people inhale causes hay fever. During the body's reaction to tree pollen, immunity cells release strong chemicals. One of those chemicals is called histamine, and causes the pain and inconvenience that comes with hay fever.
According to emedicinehealth.com, side effects of hay fever include sneezing, runny or congested nose, watery, blood-shot eyes, fatigue and trouble sleeping. Freshman Anthony Saputo experiences spring allergies.
"I usually take Claritin to keep my allergies under control," says Saputo. "It helps me with sneezing and itchy, watery eyes without making me drowsy."
The trick to coping with spring allergies such as hay fever is to get a skin test and confirm you have allergies. After the allergy trigger or triggers are discovered, it can be avoided or treated.
Freshman Montez Jones says, "I don't take medicine for my allergies. All I do is try to avoid going outside as much as possible, especially when the pollen count is high. This way I don't use man-made products and I have less allergic reactions to pollen."
Hay fever doesn't always have to be treated medically. There are a number of steps a person can follow to treat it. One way to get rid of hay fever is to gargle one to two teaspoons of salt in an eight ounce glass of warm water. This remedy helps relieve soar throats caused by hay fever. Taking a non-prescription antihistamine, like Benadryl, suppresses the sneezing, runny or congested nose and itchy, watery eyes. The side effects of Benadryl can help reduce fatigue.
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