Margaret Atwood once said, "In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt."
To say the least, it's a lovely time – spring , that is.
A truly awesome time to explore the great outdoors especially since everything looks so fresh and new. It would, indeed, be a crime to stay indoors during such a time because it's as if Nature comes alive, and it's an extravaganza for your senses.
However, there are some folks who cannot enjoy the breathtaking sights that nature bestows upon us, thanks to pollen allergies . Yes, for these folks, it's really time to be careful as it is "allergy season" while a lot of fun for the rest…
Pollen Allergy – What is it?
The allergy to pollen is known by several names: rose and hay fever , allergic rhinitis and pollenosis.
But what is pollen, and why do people suffer from this allergy?
Pollen, if you slept through biology in school, are tiny particles that are released by plants and trees for the purpose of reproduction. However, not all of them hit their mark…
Thanks to a steady wind, these particles are carried over great distances and often end up far away from where they were released. Yes, they end up in people's noses or throats causing the aforementioned pollen allergy that is an irritating condition to deal with.
However, it's not just in spring that this pollen is released but also in the fall and summer as well.
As soon as one is exposed to pollen, this often results in an inflammation in the nose and the lining tissue of the sinuses.
People who have a sensitized immune system will experience an allergic reaction when exposed to the pollen, thanks to the production of the antibody immunoglobulin (IgE) whose purpose is to attack the protein in the pollen , even though it is harmless.
It's this immune response to the protein in the pollen that results in an allergy which has certain symptoms that vary from individual to individual, and can be either mild or severe.
Now there are common symptoms that occur due to pollen sensitivity, and so here is a list of symptoms that one must look out for, if you are affected by pollen.
Symptoms of Allergies related to Pollen
Since pollen remains in the air for months together, people who have a pollen allergy often tend to have it for the same duration until the amount of pollen in the air subsides.
Here are some common symptoms that occur due to the inflammation experienced in the nasal passage:
- Conjunctivitis
- Wheezing
- Watery eyes
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Fever
- Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
- Flushing
- Headache
- Impaired smell and taste
- Itching eyes, mouth, skin, nose and throat
- Nosebleeds
- Sneezing
- Irritability
- Fatigue
At its very worst, this allergy can result in hives and rashes which are uncomfortable, to say the least.
What you must keep in mind if you have this allergy is that you have to visit a doctor who will either prescribe over-the-counter medicine or give you an allergy shot if you display serious symptoms.
In Closing
And while it's mandatory that you do get your hands dirty in spring, you can wear a mask while you're at it.
Margaret Atwood once said, "In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt."
To say the least, it's a lovely time – spring , that is.
A truly awesome time to explore the great outdoors especially since everything looks so fresh and new. It would, indeed, be a crime to stay indoors during such a time because it's as if Nature comes alive, and it's an extravaganza for your senses.
However, there are some folks who cannot enjoy the breathtaking sights that nature bestows upon us, thanks to pollen allergies . Yes, for these folks, it's really time to be careful as it is "allergy season" while a lot of fun for the rest…
Pollen Allergy – What is it?
The allergy to pollen is known by several names: rose and hay fever , allergic rhinitis and pollenosis.
But what is pollen, and why do people suffer from this allergy?
Pollen, if you slept through biology in school, are tiny particles that are released by plants and trees for the purpose of reproduction. However, not all of them hit their mark…
Thanks to a steady wind, these particles are carried over great distances and often end up far away from where they were released. Yes, they end up in people's noses or throats causing the aforementioned pollen allergy that is an irritating condition to deal with.
However, it's not just in spring that this pollen is released but also in the fall and summer as well.
As soon as one is exposed to pollen, this often results in an inflammation in the nose and the lining tissue of the sinuses.
People who have a sensitized immune system will experience an allergic reaction when exposed to the pollen, thanks to the production of the antibody immunoglobulin (IgE) whose purpose is to attack the protein in the pollen , even though it is harmless.
It's this immune response to the protein in the pollen that results in an allergy which has certain symptoms that vary from individual to individual, and can be either mild or severe.
Now there are common symptoms that occur due to pollen sensitivity, and so here is a list of symptoms that one must look out for, if you are affected by pollen.
Symptoms of Allergies related to Pollen
Since pollen remains in the air for months together, people who have a pollen allergy often tend to have it for the same duration until the amount of pollen in the air subsides.
Here are some common symptoms that occur due to the inflammation experienced in the nasal passage:
At its very worst, this allergy can result in hives and rashes which are uncomfortable, to say the least.
What you must keep in mind if you have this allergy is that you have to visit a doctor who will either prescribe over-the-counter medicine or give you an allergy shot if you display serious symptoms.
In Closing
And while it's mandatory that you do get your hands dirty in spring, you can wear a mask while you're at it.