by Peggy Spencer
Daily Lobo columnist
While you were gone over break, as you have no doubt noticed, spring sprang out in full force - warm temperatures, flowering trees and, of course, pollen. The juniper count increased five-fold over spring break and is now being joined by other flowering trees. So if you're sneezing, coughing, running and dripping, join the crowd.
What are allergies? They are the body's hypersensitivity to substances in the environment. Allergic reactions can range from mild itching and sneezing to severe hives, wheezing and shortness of breath. An extreme reaction can cause anaphylactic shock, in which the blood pressure drops and the airway swells shut. Most people, however, experience what has been commonly called "hay fever." This term is a misnomer, because the usual season for it is spring - not summer, when hay is harvested - and there is no fever present with allergies. The symptoms are itching, stuffy and runny nose and eyes, sneezing and coughing.
Why do we have allergies? Some scientists believe that allergies developed in our species millennia ago as a way for our bodies to rid themselves of parasites and worms. A special regimen, if you will, of the immune army, called Immunoglobulin E - or IgE - was trained to fight parasites. Now that most of us don't have to deal with parasites anymore, the IgE regimen, rather than laze around the barracks, has found something else to keep it occupied.
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Some people are more likely to get allergies than others. If it runs in your family, you're at risk. If you tend to have sensitive skin or eczema, you're at risk. Actually, if you just live in Albuquerque, you're at risk. Contrary to what our dry climate might lead you to believe, this is a very allergenic city. Every spring, decorative juniper bushes, mulberry, elm, cottonwood and ash trees put out their pollen. The wind kicks up to assist, and the result is a snootful of pollen particles.
Summer allergies are often caused by grasses, while fall allergies are likely to be triggered by weeds like ragweed, sagebrush and Russian thistle. Pollen counts vary year to year, depending on the precipitation that year and the temperatures. Visit Cabq.gov/cmaqpublic/ to get today's pollen counts and to sign up for e-mail notification of daily pollen counts.
You are not born with allergies. By definition, they require time to develop. Your immune system has to "see" the allergen (allergy-stimulating molecule) one year before it can make a memory to it and react the following year. Newcomers to town usually take about three years to develop allergies, but it can happen at any time.
What to do about seasonal allergies?
First, avoid the allergen if possible. This is easier said than done when the allergen is in the air you must breathe. But you can do it to an extent. Avoid prolonged or vigorous outdoor activity when pollen counts are high. Keep windows shut, especially at night when trees drop their pollen. If you have a pet that goes outside, wash it frequently or at least rub it down with a wet towel to remove pollen. Wash your hair daily to rinse off dust and pollen. After working in the yard, leave your shoes outside and remove and wash your clothes. Change your pillowcase frequently. If you suffer severely, you might want to replace carpet with hard floors and buy an air filter.
Let's say you've done all you can to minimize your exposure, and you're still sniffling and sneezing. The next step is over-the-counter treatments that reduce the allergic response. Antihistamine eye drops, cromolyn nasal spray, antihistamine pills and decongestant pills are available in generic forms without a prescription. You can tailor your treatment to your symptoms. Ask the pharmacist for help if you're not sure what to buy. Try a sinus rinse system, such as a Neti pot. Some sufferers swear by this as a way to remove allergens from their sinuses and to loosen and discharge nasal drainage. Saline eye drops can help soothe and rinse red itchy eyes, as well. The Student Health Center pharmacy carries all of the above.
If you're still suffering, the next level of treatment would be prescription treatment by a health care practitioner. There are excellent medications available in eye drop, nasal spray and pill forms. If your allergy symptoms include any lung symptoms, like coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath, you should see a health practitioner. Many people with asthma get worse during allergy season, and asthma should never be taken lightly.
Finally, there is immunotherapy, or allergy shots. This is a treatment reserved for those with severe and stubborn symptoms that don't respond to anything else. It's a very long and involved process, usually involving one to three shots every week for about three years. This is a last resort, but it can be very effective.
This year has been especially wet, resulting in a fruitful harvest of blossoms and a plethora of suffering students. Remember, like spring itself, this too shall pass.
Peggy Spencer has been a UNM student health physician for 16 years. E-mail your questions to her directly at Pspencer@unm.edu. All questions will be considered, and all questioners will remain anonymous. This column has only general health information and cannot replace a visit to a health provider.
