Ebola: Symptoms, treatment, and causes
Spring Allergy Season Is Off To An Even Earlier Start This Year
After a particularly mild winter in most of the United States, which followed a record warm summer for the planet, seasonal allergy season is kicking into high gear. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than 80 million Americans suffer from sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and other symptoms of seasonal allergies.
Climate change is making allergy season worseA 2021 study found that spring allergy season is beginning about 20 days earlier in North America due to human-caused climate change. Pollen concentrations have risen roughly 20 percent across the country since 1990, with the Midwest and Texas seeing the largest increases. A combination of warmer temperatures, higher concentrations of carbon dioxide, and more precipitation can all contribute to plants producing more pollen longer.
This year, the pollen count started particularly early, according to allergist and director of the Loyola Medicine Allergy Count Dr. Rachna Shah. She typically looks at pollen counts in Chicago in April, but saw that tree pollen was already at a moderate level in the middle of February.
[Related: Climate change is pumping more pollen into allergy season.]
"This season has been so nuts," Shah told the Associated Press. "Granted, it was a pretty mild winter, but I didn't expect it to be so early."
Shah also believes that this season will be longer than other years, if the weather remains unseasonably warm.
What are some triggers for seasonal allergies?Pollen from growing trees and other plants is one of the most common triggers of seasonal allergies. In the early spring, tree pollen tends to be the biggest allergy trigger, with grass and weed pollen following.
Ragweed, goldenrod, dust, and mold can also trigger allergies for some.
Is it a cold or allergies?Since allergies typically come with sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and sore throat, it can be hard to tell them apart from the common cold. According to Dr. Rita Kachru, chief of clinical allergy and immunology at UCLA Health, muscle pain, joint aches, fatigue, and fever is a sure sign that these symptoms are from a cold and not allergies.
Symptoms flaring up around the same time every year and having a family history of seasonal allergies are also helpful in determining what's causing the symptoms.
How to manage symptomsAccording to the Mayo Clinic, one of the first things to do is reduce exposure. This can mean avoiding going outside on windy days when pollen is blowing around, changing clothes and showering after coming inside, and even rinsing out your nasal passages. The best time to go outside is after a good rainfall, when some pollen has been washed away. You can also monitor pollen counts in your area online or during weather forecasts.
[Related: It's time you really understood what allergies mean.]
There are also several over-the-counter remedies available in both oral and nasal spray form that can help with symptoms when taken correctly. These include fexofenadine (Allegra), loratadine (Claritin), levocetirizine (Xyzal), and cetirizine (Zyrtec). Some common steroid nasal sprays include budesonide (Benacort), fluticasone (Flonase), triamcinolone (Nasacort) and mometasone (Nasonex).
Medical professionals do caution against using products that have pseudoephedrine, such as Sudafed, for more than a day or two. These medications can increase heart rate and blood pressure. A task force of physicians also issued guidelines in 2020 that did not recommend using Benadryl to treat allergies. The medication can have sedative effects and cause confusion in some patients.
If symptoms are severe and last for several months, it is important to speak with a medical professional and potentially get tested to see exactly what the body is reacting to. There are also long term allergy shots avaialbe that can help with more severe reactions.
Are Allergies Making You Feel Sick? Here's How To Find Out
CNN —
Sniffling a bit more than usual? Welcome to spring allergy season in the Northern Hemisphere. Even if you don't think you have allergies, it's worth paying attention to those sniffles.
More than 1 in 4 adults and nearly 1 in 5 children have seasonal allergies, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And our allergies may be sticking around longer, because allergy season is starting earlier and lasting longer than before as a result of multiple factors, including climate change.
And it's getting worse: The pollen count is projected to increase by 200% by the end of this century, according to a 2022 study published in the journal Nature Communications.
With all the changes affecting allergy season, it's good to confirm what symptoms are associated with seasonal allergies and how to find out if you have allergies to pollen.Are there other substances that can cause seasonal allergies? Can some people have more of a reaction than others? How should people treat their allergies? And what's the difference between allergies and viruses, since symptoms can overlap?
To answer these questions, I spoke with CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen, who (like me) has allergies. Wen is an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University. She previously served as Baltimore's health commissioner.
CNN: What are symptoms of seasonal allergies?
Dr. Leana Wen: Seasonal allergies, also called allergic rhinitis or hay fever, occur when your immune system reacts to something in the environment, such as pollen from plants. Symptoms include runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, and itching in the nose, throat, eyes and mouth.
CNN: How do I know if my symptoms are due to allergies or a virus?
Wen: It's not always easy to tell, as the symptoms of allergies can mimic those of a cold.
Generally, allergies follow a seasonal pattern and flare up at certain times of the year.The symptoms tend to persist for at least a week. People often have similar symptoms when seasonal allergies strike. Itchiness in the nose and throat and red, watery eyes are usually more indicative of allergies than colds.
Colds, on the other hand, are generally shorter-lasting. They tend to be more common in the winter than in fall or spring when allergies tend to peak.
Seasonal allergies do not cause fever. If you have a fever, it is unlikely to be an allergy. Seasonal allergies also tend not to cause a wet cough or body aches and fatigue.
CNN: Does testing help to differentiate between the two?
Wen: There are tests to help determine if you have specific viruses. For instance, you can take a rapid home test for Covid-19, and doctors' offices may recommend testing for influenza or the respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV. Patients who are hospitalized also may receive more thorough viral testing, but these viral panels tend not to be recommended for people who are experiencing mild cold symptoms.
CNN: What about testing for specific allergens? Can people find out if they have allergies to pollen, for example?
Wen: Yes. In fact, there are different types of pollen. The common pollens that cause allergies come from trees, grasses and weeds.
Your health care provider can refer you to a specialist physician trained in allergy and immunology to test for these specific allergens. One form of the test is a skin prick test, when a nurse or doctor puts a small drop of the possible allergen on your skin and then pricks or scratches that spot with a needle to see if that induces a reaction. Another form is a blood test looking for antibodies to the allergen.
CNN: Are there other substances that can cause seasonal allergies?
Wen: In addition to pollens, molds also can trigger seasonal allergies in some people. Skin and blood tests can diagnose mold allergies.
CNN: It's a good thing you mentioned mold because I have a mold allergy. I've also tested positive for allergies to dust and milk.
Wen: People allergic to dust are actually allergic to dust mites, which are tiny organisms that feed on house dust and air moisture. They are a very common type of indoor allergen and can trigger symptoms year-round. I, too, have this allergy, as well as seasonal allergies to pollen.
I'm glad you mentioned your milk allergy because we haven't yet brought up the issue of food allergies. These are not seasonal allergies, as they aren't related to environmental exposures and can happen year-round. Food allergies also are common. According to the CDC, 6.2% of adults and 5.8% of children have food allergies.
Food allergies can range from mild to extremely severe, even life-threatening. There are also food intolerances, which aren't actually allergies but colloquially get lumped into this category. For example, as many as 36% of Americans and 68% of the world's population have lactose malabsorption, characterized by a reduced ability to digest the lactose in milk products. Many people with lactose malabsorption will experience symptoms such as an upset stomach, bloating and gas after drinking milk. These reactions, though, are not immune responses and need to be distinguished from a true milk allergy.
CNN: Can some people have a stronger reaction to allergens than others?
Wen: Yes, absolutely. Some people with seasonal allergies may have very mild symptoms for a short time, while others have symptoms that are so severe they interfere with daily life. In addition, patients with asthma and eczema may have their symptoms exacerbated with seasonal allergies.
CNN: Can you talk about what treatments are available, both over-the-counter and prescription medications? What about nonmedical treatments?
Wen: Several treatments can help alleviate the symptoms of seasonal allergies. Common treatments include antihistamine pills that block histamine, a chemical the immune system releases that can cause a variety of symptoms like itching, and nasal corticosteroids, which are sprays that can help with stuffiness.
Some of these medications are available over the counter, and others are available only by prescription. I advise people to check with their health care provider before starting any new medication. It may be that a prescription medication is the best option.
For instance, diphenhydramine, also known by the brand name Benadryl, is an over-the-counter antihistamine that can help relieve some allergy symptoms, but it also causes drowsiness. Other antihistamines do not lead to as much drowsiness and may be better options. There are over-the-counter nasal decongestants like pseudoephedrine, also known by the brand name Sudafed, that can be good for relieving temporary nasal congestion, but they may interact with certain medications and should not be used long term.
Some individuals may benefit from allergy shots. These can be good options for people whose symptoms are not controlled by pills or allergy avoidance alone, and for people who have especially severe allergic reactions. A specialist in allergy and immunology can advise on whether allergy shots are the right course of treatment for the individual patient.
As for nonmedical treatment, it's important to reduce exposure to the allergen. If the issue is seasonal allergies due to pollen, pay attention to pollen counts, close windows and reduce time outdoors during peak pollen season. If dust mites are the problem, remove clutter and items that collect dust in the home and wash sheets, pillowcases and blankets at least once a week. There are many online resources for reducing allergens in your home that can help to decrease the impact of seasonal allergies.
Spring Allergies: Common Causes, Prevention And Treatments
Spring is in the air and it's the season of blooming flowers, chirping birds ... And itchy eyes, runny noses, and endless sniffles for over 81 million Americans. Yes, it's that time of year again when sneezing fits and itchy eyes become all too familiar companions.
If you battle seasonal allergies every year, you're certainly not alone. This article dives into the causes and common culprits behind spring allergies, along with tips and tricks to help you breathe easier and enjoy the beautiful season to its fullest.
Common springtime allergies in North CarolinaIn the spring, North Carolina is a picturesque scene of blooming flowers and chirping birds. But amidst this natural beauty lurk some common allergy triggers that can turn your outdoor paradise into a sneeze-inducing nightmare.
Pollen reigns supreme during this time of year, with trees like oak, birch, and cedar releasing their allergenic particles into the air. Grass pollen also plays a significant role in triggering allergic reactions for many individuals across the state.
Not to be outdone, mold spores thrive in moist environments commonly found after spring showers or high humidity levels. These microscopic culprits can wreak havoc on respiratory systems, especially for those with sensitivities.
And let's not forget about our furry friends. Pet dander is another prevalent allergen that can cause discomfort for those allergic to it. So, while you may love cuddling up with your pets indoors, remember that their dander can trigger unpleasant symptoms once you step outside into the fresh spring air.
How to prevent springtime allergy flare-upsSpringtime allergies can leave you feeling miserable. The good news is that there are steps you can take to prevent allergy flare-ups and enjoy the season to its fullest.
Preventative medicationFor some people, lifestyle modifications aren't enough. Fortunately, allergy medications can help prevent symptoms before they even hit.
If you know you struggle with springtime allergies, talk to your doctor about what medication is right for you.
Air filtersAnother way to reduce allergens in your home is to use air filters. These filters are designed to trap pollen, dust, and other particles that can trigger allergy symptoms.
Investing in high-quality HEPA filters for your HVAC system or standalone air purifiers can significantly improve indoor air quality. By capturing airborne irritants, these filters can lessen the amount of allergens circulating in your living space.
Regularly changing and maintaining your air filters is crucial for optimal performance. Clogged or dirty filters won't be as effective at trapping allergens, so following the manufacturer's recommendations for replacement intervals is essential.
Stay indoors on dry and windy daysCheck the weather before heading out for the day! Dry and windy conditions can exacerbate allergies by spreading pollen and other allergens more easily through the air. If you're prone to seasonal allergies, staying indoors on these days can help reduce your exposure to triggers.
If you must go outside on high pollen count days, consider wearing sunglasses or a hat to shield your eyes and face from allergens. When coming back inside, change your clothes and shower to remove any lingering pollen particles that may have attached themselves during outdoor exposure.
Clean frequentlyYou might not realize it, but one key way to prevent springtime allergies is to clean frequently. Dust and pollen can accumulate quickly in your home, triggering allergy symptoms like sneezing and congestion.
Dust surfaces regularly with a damp cloth to trap allergens instead of spreading them around. Vacuum carpets and rugs often. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to capture tiny particles that can exacerbate allergies.
Remember curtains, bedding, and upholstery. These can harbor allergens, too. Wash these items in hot water regularly to remove any lingering pollen or dust mites.
Consider using natural cleaning products to avoid harsh chemicals that could potentially worsen allergy symptoms for sensitive individuals.
Let someone else do the yard workDelegate outdoor tasks to others during peak allergy season. Letting someone else handle the yardwork can significantly reduce your exposure to pollen and other allergens. This could include another family member, a friend, or hiring a professional service.
Treating springtime allergiesWhat do you do when the pollen takes over, and there's no relief in sight? We understand that you can't always avoid springtime allergies. Fortunately, several options are available to help alleviate symptoms and improve your quality of life during the allergy season.
OTC allergy medicationsOne common approach is taking over-the-counter antihistamines. These can help reduce sneezing, itching, and nasal congestion caused by allergens like pollen.
Nasal sprays can help relieve inflammation in the nasal passages and reduce congestion. These sprays can effectively target specific symptoms like a runny or stuffy nose.
Eye drops can alleviate itchy, red, and watery eyes caused by allergies. Decongestants can help relieve nasal congestion and pressure by narrowing the blood vessels in the nasal passages.
Before adding any medication to your routine, consult your doctor.
Natural remediesSome people find relief from allergies through natural remedies such as:
It's important to note that while natural remedies may be effective for some people, they may not work for everyone and could potentially interact with other medications. Always consult with your doctor before trying any new treatments.
Visit an allergy doctorIf your allergy symptoms are severe or do not improve with over-the-counter treatments, it may be time to visit an allergy doctor. These specialists can perform allergy testing to determine precisely what you are allergic to.
They then use this information to create a personalized allergy treatment plan for you. Treatment could include stronger medications, allergy shots, or immunotherapy.
Say goodbye to spring allergiesSpring allergies can be a nuisance for many in North Carolina. By being aware of common triggers like pollen and taking proactive steps to prevent flare-ups, you can better manage your symptoms and enjoy the beauty of spring without constantly battling allergies.
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