Hay Fever
Hay Fever
Take a Recess
from Congestion and Sneezing
Unfortunately, the same sunny, breezy days that make spring, summer and fall so great also cause ragweed, trees and grasses to release their pollen into the air to make you miserable. It doesn't seem fair. While other folks are enjoying the last few weenie roasts before Labor Day, you're battling hay fever, which causes stuffy noses and sneezing fits.
Actually, the word "hay fever" is a misnomer: The condition is caused by ragweed that pollinates during what used to be known as hay pitching season, but not by hay itself. Hay fever now refers to both fall allergies (caused by ragweed) and spring and summer allergies (caused by grasses and trees). And there's no fever involved. The medical term for hay fever is allergic rhinitis: In plain English, it means your nose is stuffed up and running, and you're sneezing because of something you're breathing other than air.
Approximately 1 in 20 people suffers from this outdoor-related allergy, which can also cause sore throats, red eyes, earache and headache.
A FEW HANDY STRATEGIES
Women doctors offer these tips for minimizing the bothersome symptoms of hay fever.
Crank up the AC. If you suffer from hay fever, the ideal strategy is to stay indoors, keep your windows closed and use an air conditioner, which filters out the pollen, says Helen Hollingsworth, M.D., associate professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and director of allergy and asthma services at Boston University Medical Center Hospital. (In the event you anticipate buying a new car in the near future, Dr. Hollingsworth suggests you consider a make and model--such as Ford or Saab--that has filters in its air conditioning. "Check with the dealers," she says.)
Cut the a.m. workout. Pollen counts are at their highest early in the morning, between 5:00 and 8:00 a.m., when plants release pollen, so try to exercise later in the day, notes Carol Wiggins, M.D., clinical instructor of allergy and immunology at Emory University in Atlanta. "Working out during your lunch hour is fine. Or wait until later in the day. If you must exercise in the morning, you may want to use a treadmill and do more indoor things," she says.
Wear a special mask. Wearing a face mask while mowing the lawn or exercising outdoors is a good way to keep those nasty allergens from reaching you, says Dr. Hollingsworth. Using a surgical mask isn't the best method, though, because it doesn't completely fit against your face and block everything out. Instead, go for the fiber-fill cuplike masks with a foam face seal--some of which have an exhale valve that opens with the force of your breath and shuts as you inhale. You can find these at hardware stores.
Rinse your eyes. To soothe stinging red eyes, wash them out, notes Rebecca Gruchalla, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of internal medicine and chief of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. "Get an over-the-counter eyewash solution and just wash the eye out over a sink," she says. "That will get some of the allergen out of the eye." Do it at least a couple of times a day--especially when you're coming in from outside.
When To See A Doctor
If your hay fever lingers long after ragweed season or if at-home strategies and over-the-counter medications don't control your symptoms, it's time to go to the doctor, says Rebecca Gruchalla, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of internal medicine and chief of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Don't worry that if you see an allergist, she'll automatically say you need allergy shots, says Dr. Gruchalla. Prescription medications or intra-nasal medication may suffice.
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Take an antihistamine at night. Although many people shy away from antihistamines because of their grogginess-inducing side effects, taking them at night is usually fine, notes Dr. Wiggins. "At least if you take one at night, you'll be able to get a good night's sleep and be able to fight the allergy that much better," she notes.
Beware of melons. People allergic to ragweed could get an itchy mouth when eating cantaloupe, honeydew and other melons, notes Kathy L. Lampl, M.D., an instructor in the Department of Medicine in the Clinical Immunology Division at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. Interestingly, allergies to birchwood can cause the same mouth-itching reaction to chamomile tea, apples and pears. This is known as oral allergy syndrome. "It's not life-threatening, it's just uncomfortable; but you'll want to be aware," she says.
Be extra diligent. Indoor allergens could increase your sensitivity to outdoor allergens, says Dr. Lampl. "If you're already congested, it may take only 10 pollen grains to stir up a reaction, where it might have taken 50 or 100 grains of pollen before," she says. Keep pets out of the bedroom and make sure the house isn't humid, so it won't be home to dust mites and mold.
(For other practical tips on managing allergies, see page 9.)
