Have you always dreaded the arrival of the spring season, feared the budding of the flowers, waited in apprehension for the inevitable sneezes, red eyes, and blocked nose that would follow? Or perhaps it's your first time experiencing the horror that is seasonal allergies? Whatever the case, it is a fact that these allergies can cause mild inconvenience at best and could incapacitate the sufferer at worst. But what is the culprit behind these overreactions of the immune system? At first glance, pollen seems harmless and is even beneficial to nature; they are, however, the main cause of seasonal allergies. This is why seasonal allergies are most prevalent from late April to early June, when the pollination of certain plants results in the highest levels of pollen in the air. During this allergy season, the mere act of taking a walk in the great outdoors can lead to symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose, post-nasal drip, fatigue, and coughing.
Still, the past few years, especially this one, have made seasonal allergies even harder to bear. Many have complained about the increased intensity and length of their allergies, and if you are one of these people, you’d be pleased to know that there is an actual reason behind this bleak development. Scientists and health organizations seem to agree that climate change is the most probable offender, since the warmer air temperatures affect the pollination of plants. Pollinating plants may go through earlier and longer seasons of growth, throwing off the rhythm of pollination and generating more pollen over an increased period of time. Allergy seasons have even lengthened by several weeks in some parts of North America, a worrying idea if the trend continues.
Knowing this, what can the average student do to relieve their allergies in this troubling and painful situation? Of course, the main idea is to limit one’s exposure to pollen, the root cause of the allergies. When inside, it is advisable to keep doors and windows closed to prevent pollen from entering. Equally crucial is cleanliness, as dust can potentially contain allergens, so vacuuming and dusting are recommended as well. Clothes and shoes worn outside can also contain pollen, which makes changing, showering, and separating clothes after returning especially vital. When outside, wearing a mask could potentially lessen the severity of allergies as it makes it more difficult to breathe in the pollen. In addition, allergy medications can be helpful, with many generic ones, like Claritin and Benadryl, being available at the local CVS. Eye drops and nasal sprays are further useful in treating allergy symptoms, including itchy eyes and blocked noses. Stay safe, CA.