Spring Induced Asthma and Allergy

Spring brings with it joy and color. It spreads happiness all around as flowers sprout and fruits fall from the tree. It announces the end of a cold and harsh winter. But while it is a source of joy for most people, it also causes pain and suffering in some people. They are the ones who can catch an allergy due to increased pollen count in the air. You might be one of these seriously troubled people. If yes, read on to for some useful tips and solutions.

What is spring allergy?

The allergy which is caused in the spring season is sometimes called “hay fever” which is a misnomer as it is neither caused by hay nor it is a fever. It is called that in reference to the fact that it is caused due to reasons found outdoors rather than indoors. Rather it is more of a condition and the symptoms vary in different people.

Triggers of Spring Allergy

Every medical condition comes with a forewarning or symptoms of sorts. So whenever a person is going to suffer from an allergy or an asthma attack, he’ll know beforehand. Allergies are like guns ready to blow off and you have to identify their triggers so that before the trigger is pulled, you can restrain it. Correct identification of the allergy triggers will save you a lot of headache rather than going through the allergy and then trying to cure it.

One of the greatest problems for asthma patients in the spring season is increased number of pollen in the air. Pollen are the seeds of plants which get spread in the air during the spring season. These seeds can enter the respiratory system of a human being and cause inflammation resulting in difficulty in breathing.

The common trees that produce pollen in spring are Ash, Birch, Cypress, Elm, Hickory, Maple, Oak, Poplar, Sycamore and Walnut. During the latter half of spring, grass pollen also gets airborne. The grass which produces pollen include Bermuda Grass, Bluegrass, Orchard Grass, Red top grass, Sweet Vernal Grass and Timothy Grass.

Symptoms of spring allergy

Diagnosing an allergy is really easy. If you feel that your nose is stuffed or it is running and you itch and scratch at your nose, skin or other areas of the face till they turn raw then it means you suffer from spring allergy. Difficulties in breathing, coughing and wheezing are symptoms of a person who suffers from spring allergy.

Precautionary measures to prevent allergy

It is always a good idea to keep track of the local pollen count by checking from weather forecasts and a National Pollen Bureau if it exists in your country. That way you can schedule your timings and days when you want to go out.  Rainy days are a blessing for the asthma patients as pollen count is lower on a rainy day and you can easily stroll out and do your everyday chores. Pollen counts are also lower in the latter half of the day so if you want to go out, it is safer to go out in the afternoon rather than the morning.

If you have a garden you should not grow plants that are pollinated through wind as wind pollinated plants disperse their seed in the air. You should go for plants which are pollinated through insects like bees or birds when they move from one plant to another. The grass that you grow in your garden can be Buffalo grass. You should avoid a species which pollinates by wind.

Some people’s allergy is triggered by foul smells and odors which might come from plants or decaying organic waste in the spring season so you should avoid it in order to prevent an attack.

It is always good practice for allergic people to wear masks when going out. Even on normal days when pollen count is low, other environmental factors can trigger the allergy and so a mask can prevent it.

There are several small tips related to cleaning which, if followed, will minimize your risk of catching pollen. First of all you should keep all the surfaces in your house clean of dust which is a no- brainer. But it is all the more important for asthmatics as pollen collects in the dust. If you are dusting off the surfaces, then wear a mask so that you don’t inhale any of the pollen. You should also refrain from hanging clothes outside to dry as pollen can collect in your clothes.

Bracelets are available in the market on which you can write the symptoms of your allergy so that if you suffer from an attack, the people around you can correctly identify the problem and take you to the nearest hospital.

You should ensure that the house is properly ventilated. Large sized windows and doors are preferable as they allow more sunlight to enter the house and lower the humidity levels thus destroying any spores that might enter the house.  You can consider removing the heavy drapes that are hanging on your windows and replace them with blinds. This will also reduce the risk of accumulation of dust which can contain allergy triggers like pollen.

Treatment of allergies

If your allergy gets worse, it is never a bad thing to keep a medicine handy. Asthmatics should keep an inhaler with them at all times. Other medicines might come in the form of oral antihistamines, eye drops and nasal decongestants. Histamine is a chemical in the body which over reacts and causes most allergic reactions. The purpose of antihistamines is to counter these chemicals. Corticosteroids work by blocking the allergens which cause inflammation. They are available in the form of pills as well as liquid form and nasal sprays.

With all precautionary measures, you can set your worries aside and go out and enjoy the blessings of spring season. No more hiding around in the house fearing that you will be left choking. Happy Spring Season!

Until Next time, I wish you and yours only the very best of health!

Disclaimer

It is important to note that information contained in this post is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Any questions regarding a medical diagnosis or treatment should be directed to a medical practitioner.