Pollen carried on the wind from trees and grasses is the most widespread of the allergens. These substances do not bother most people, and allergic people are often react to more than one substance. Allergic reactions to pollen, dust particles, and mold spores are common to people sensitive to airborne allergens.
Airborne Allergens Bother Some, not Others
Allergic tendencies are mostly inherited. Children are much more likely to develop allergies if one or both parents have allergies. Exposure to allergens at certain times when the body’s defenses are lowered or weakened seems to contribute to the development of allergies. Physical challenges, as after a viral infection, during puberty or during pregnancy lower the body’s immune defenses and leave it vulnerable.
The body’s immune system functions against invading agents and most allergic reactions are the immune system responding to a false alarm. When an allergic person comes into contact with an allergen, the immune system treats the allergen as an invader and moves to attack.
Once an antibody signals the cells, they produce powerful inflammatory chemicals like histamine, prostaglandins and leukotrienes. These chemicals move into various parts of the body, such as the respiratory system, and cause the symptoms of allergy.
Allergies to Asthma
Some people with allergies develop asthma. The symptoms of asthma include coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. The bronchial passage to the lungs narrow and excess mucus is produced. Asthma can be disabling and sometimes fatal, so when wheezing and shortness of breathe accompany allergy symptoms, it shows a need for medical attention.
Signs and Symptoms of Allergies
The signs and symptoms of allergies are familiar to many.
- Sneezing often accompanied with a runny or clogged nose
- Coughing and postnasal drip
- Itching eyes, nose, and throat
- Dark circles under the eyes (caused by increased blood flow around the sinuses)
- Watering eyes
- Conjunctivitis - (an inflammation of the membrane that lines the eyelids, causing red-rimmed, swelling, and crusting of the eye.
When pollen enters human noses and throats, they trigger an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, usually accompanied with discharge of mucus, which many people know as hay fever. The kind of pollen that most commonly cause allergic reactions are produced by the plain-looking plants such as trees, grasses, and weeds, that do not have showy flowers. Ragweed pollen has been collected 400 miles out at sea and two miles high in the air. A single ragweed plant generates a million grains of pollen a day.
Treating Allergic Diseases
There are three general approaches to the treatment of these allergies:
- Avoidance of the allergen
- Medication to relieve symptoms
- Allergy shots
People who move away from an allergen ridden area might find that given time, they will develop allergies to grasses and trees in their new location. Use of air conditioners inside the home or car can help prevent pollen allergens from entering. Certain air-filtering devices may help reduce allergens in the home and portable devices can be used in individual rooms.
Symptoms can often be controlled with medications. Effective medications that can be prescribed by physicians include antihistamines, topical nasal steroids, and cromolyn sodium. Many effective antihistamines have proven useful in relieving sneezing, itching, and reduced nasal swelling and can be purchased without a prescription. In-depth information on controlling allergies can be found at the sources listed below.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) supports and conducts research on allergies. Their research focuses on understanding, allergic responses, and the factors responsible for allergic diseases. Hopefully this understanding will lead to better methods of preventing and treating allergies. Studies offer the promise that one day allergic diseases will be preventable.
Note: The author is not a licensed medical professional. The above is for informational purposes. Always consult a licensed medical professional for any advice pertaining to health matters.
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