Spring allergies and asthma try to steal your experience of one of the most beautiful times of the year. Don’t let them.
May is ripe with flowers. In central and western North Carolina, April brings dogwood, azalea, and redbud, while May opens the blossoms of crab apples, mountain laurels, and wild cherries. The less-dramatic plants are blooming, too. We may not notice pine trees or hardwood flowers, but we do notice when they coat our cars in yellow pollen. And then there are those spidery bundles of pecan flowers that pile up in porch corners and clog gratings.
The result: lots of people experience spring allergies, with symptoms ranging from sneezing and coughing to red, watery eyes, and sinus headaches. Other people find that their allergies develop into asthma, or cause existing asthma to flare up. That’s known as allergic asthma.
What Is an Allergy?
The human body has evolved to protect itself. We blink when something touches our eyelashes. We swell up around a broken bone or sprained joint, limiting movement and further damage. An allergic reaction, too, is a self-protecting mechanism, even though it may be excessive for the stimulus that inspired it.
When we encounter an allergen—something that our immune system takes to be a threat—we produce antibodies called immunoglobulin E, also known as IgE. The IgE antibodies deploy in response to the “distress signal” to help out. IgE attaches to white blood cells called mast cells, which then release histamines, causing allergy symptoms.
Some of their help makes sense; watery eyes and sneezes, for instance, can expel foreign matter. But a lot of times, this help is overkill.
Scientists aren’t sure why some people have allergies and some don’t; they also don’t always know why certain substances trigger allergic reactions. They do know allergies run in families, and they can test to find out which substances are triggering allergies.
Airway Attack
In allergic asthma, the allergen causes the bronchial tubes, or airways into the lungs, to swell. This can trigger an asthma attack, with wheezing, coughing or shortness of breath. The muscles around the airways can tighten, making it even harder to breathe.
While asthma is a lifelong condition, the allergens that trigger allergic asthma may come and go.
Active Avoidance
You may not want to stay out of the spring flora—and who can blame you? However, you can take steps to ease the exposure.
Your house: Limit the pollen that travels inside. For instance, take off jackets, boots, or work shirts before entering. Inside your house, sweep, vacuum and mop to get rid of any pollen that may have wafted through the door. If you run air conditioning, make sure you have a new, anti-allergen filter on the unit. Some people find a portable air purifier helps, too.
Outside: Plan your outdoor time around days and locations with less pollen activity. You can use a local pollen guide to help. The North Carolina Division of Air Quality posts detailed pollen breakdowns and trends at deq.nc.gov. Dryer, windier weather tends to spread pollen, while it may be easier to breathe when the air is very wet and humid.
Your body: Shower and wash your hair after spending time outdoors. Use a nasal spray or a neti pot to help clear airways. It’s easy to use over-the-counter allergy medicine as needed, but some people experience drowsiness and other side effects.
If you already know you suffer from seasonal allergies, consider visiting your doctor before allergy season starts. He or she may suggest preventive measures to stop allergic reactions before they occur, such as allergy shots or prescription medications. If you have asthma, your doctor can also help you plan to avoid attacks and make sure you have the right tools to care for an attack on-the-spot if it occurs.