An estimated 10 percent of the world's population suffers from pollen allergies, causing days of missed school or work and poorer quality of life. Different varieties of trees, grass and weeds pollinate at different seasons, so people with allergies to one or more types of pollen may experience symptoms for several months. Pollen allergy is easy to identify but difficult to avoid, but there are ways one can reduce the symptoms.
Seasonal Triggers
In the spring, the main triggers of seasonal allergies are pollen from trees like oak, elm, ash, maple, hickory, alder, birch, juniper and olive. From late spring through summer, triggers include Bermuda, timothy, sweet vernal, orchard and Johnson grass. Ragweed pollen is the major culprit of allergies in the fall. However, the warmer regions of America may have an earlier schedule of pollen season. For instance in the Western United States, the juniper mountain cedar causes allergies from December to March, notes the Merck Manuals Online Library.
Symptoms
Pollen mainly affects the lining of the nasal passages, causing hay fever symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose, headaches and coughing. In some people, the roof of the mouth and throat may become itchy and dry. Nighttime sleep and appetite may be impaired in people suffering from severe pollen allergies. Some people also suffer from allergic conjunctivitis, in which the linings of the eyelids become affected, causing red, watery, itchy and puffy eyes. People with asthma may also experience worsening attacks on exposure to pollen.
Diagnosis
Pollen allergy is easy to diagnose because the symptoms return around the same time every year. An allergy skin prick test or a blood test can confirm a diagnose of allergy. The allergist will drop liquid forms of several kinds of pollen allergens on the patient's forearms and prick those spots on the skin. An itchy, red wheal at the site 15 minutes later confirms the diagnosis. A blood test measures the amount of antibodies against specific allergens present in a patient's body.
Treatment
Pollen allergies may be hard to avoid, but there are treatment options to relieve its symptoms. Allergy eye drops can treat symptoms of conjunctivitis. Antihistamines and decongestants can relieve symptoms associated with hay fever. Prolonged use of decongestants can make symptoms worse, so patients may want to seek their doctors' advice for long-term treatment, notes the Merck Manuals Online Library. Nasal corticosteroid sprays can treat hay fever but can cause nose bleeds. Allergy shots may treat symptoms associated with severe, prolonged or uncontrolled pollen allergy, when allergens cannot be avoided or when asthma develops. It may also prevent new allergies from developing, according to a study in the journal "Current Opinions in Molecular Therapeutics."
PRevention/Solution
The Mayo Clinic offers several suggestions to keep pollen allergies under control from spring to fall. Keeping indoor air clean with dehumidifier and high-efficiency filter keeps pollen count low inside the house. Keeping the windows and doors closed during peak pollen season, staying indoors during dry, windy days and wearing dust masks for outdoor activities also help reduce exposure to pollen. People with pollen allergy may also choose to delegate gardening, lawn mowing or other outdoors chores when pollen counts in the air are high.
