Shots, medicine and environmental changes can help seasonal allergies

Heavy rains this spring have kept pollen levels in check around the Miami Valley

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By Dave Larsen, Staff Writer Updated 1:39 AM Thursday, May 12, 2011

DAYTON — Imagine having a miserable cold that lasts for three months, and you’ll have some idea of what it is like to suffer from seasonal allergies.

“Allergic rhinitis interferes more with the quality of life” than such diseases as asthma, chronic obstructive coronary disease or congestive heart failure, said Dr. Arturo J. Bonnin of the Allergy and Asthma Centre of Dayton. “It’s like having a cold for weeks or months,” he said.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as “hay fever,” is triggered by substances such as pollen or mold that cause your immune system to release chemicals called histamines to combat the allergens. Symptoms can include sneezing, headache, runny nose, congestion and watery eyes.

Allergic rhinitis often precedes asthma, which can be a life-threatening condition, Bonnin said. “The more severe the allergic rhinitis the more likely it is for asthma to appear later on,” he said.

Dayton among worst cities

Approximately 35 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, according to the Regional Air Pollution Control Agency.

People living in the Miami Valley seem to be particularly hard hit. Dayton ranked seventh this year on the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s annual list of the 100 worst cities with spring allergies. In October, the foundation named Dayton as the No. 1 fall allergy capital in the country.

“We do have bad seasons,” said Brian Huxtable, a RAPCA air pollution control specialist.

Geography and weather play important roles in seasonal allergies, according to the AAFA.

Dayton’s location in a valley probably is a factor, said both Bonnin and Dr. Susan H. Barde, of the Dayton Arthritis and Allergy Center. “The air will be more stagnant here,” Bonnin said.

The area’s weather patterns and abundant vegetation typically bring an early spring, “so the trees bloom early,” Barde said.

Allergy seasons

Allergies from tree pollen typically peak from late March through April, while those from grass usually top out in late May and early June. Ragweed season starts in August and usually peaks at Labor Day.

Year-round allergens can include house dust mites, dogs and cats, and mold.

“You get a peak of mold in the spring when all the dead vegetation thaws out, and then of course mold counts really go up in the fall, too,” Barde said. “But mold can be a year-round allergen if you have any water issues or mold issues in your home or in your place of work,” she said.

The recent heavy rains have helped keep pollen in check this season, Huxtable said. RAPCA records show just two days with very high pollen counts, one in March and one in April. “Since then they’ve just been high,” he said.

Allergy sufferers have a number of options for managing their symptoms, including environmental controls, over-the-counter remedies, prescription medications and allergy injections.

Environmental controls

Limit exposure to pollens by keeping your house and car windows closed, and using an air conditioner and dehumidifier to keep air clean, cool, and dry, according to RAPCA.

Avoid going outside on windy days, because many trees, grasses and weeds have small, light and dry pollens that are easily carried by the wind.

Limit your time outside when pollen counts are at their peak. “Pollen counts are high in early morning and around 5 o’clock in the afternoon, right when everybody wants to go out and jog and do their bicycle ride,” Barde said.

Barde tells patients to wear sunglasses outdoors to prevent particles from getting in their eyes.

After spending time outdoors, remove your shoes outside and change your clothes as soon as possible to avoid bringing pollen indoors. Take a shower and wash your hair to remove pollen from your skin and hair, Bonnin said.

Don’t hang clothing or bed linens outside to dry, because they will collect pollen and mold.

Allergy medications

The key to using medications to managing allergy symptoms is to know when your allergy seasons occur, Barde said. An allergist certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology can perform a skin or blood test to determine what allergen may trigger an allergic response in a person.

“There are a lot of over-the-counter medications now that you can at least start with,” Barde said.

Antihistamines are the most widely used medications for allergic diseases, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. They can lessen your symptoms by preventing the effects of histamine, a chemical substance produced by your body during an allergic reaction.

Antihistamines are available either by prescription or over-the-counter (OTC). They are sometimes mixed with other medications, such as decongestants, to relieve a larger range of symptoms.

Barde named Allegra, Clarinex and Zyrtec as effective, non-sedating OTC antihistamines.

Bonnin warned that decongestants can increase blood pressure, presenting issues for people with heart problems or high blood pressure.

“The medication that has been shown to work the best for all the nasal and sinus symptoms is topical steroids in the nose,” Bonnin said. “But in order to work well, you have to do it daily.”

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