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AIRBORNE POLLEN CAUSES ALLERGY PROBLEMS

By J. Griffin Coop/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Friday, April 8, 2005 9:42 AM CDT

For allergy sufferers, spring brings more than just pretty flowers. Itchy eyes, runny noses and headaches commonly accompany the blossoming foliage in March and April.

During the heights of allergy season in the spring and fall, more allergy patients seek examinations at many doctors' offices, including Pine Bluff Allergy Associates.

"I have to work patients in," said Dr. Jim Ingram, who works at the clinic. "My schedule is completely full and I still work patients in. Other times of the year, my schedule is fairly full, but I still have a few openings where I can work patients in, but now my schedule is completely full. People are miserable, so I'll try to work them in when I can."

Allergies are caused by reproductive activity in grass and flowering plants and trees. Immune reactions by the body cause symptoms commonly associated with hay fever, like runny noses and itchy eyes, according to Russ Kennedy, assistant professor and health and aging specialist at the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

"This is how they reproduce," said Kennedy, who also suffers from allergies. "Even your vegetable garden requires some pollination."

Allergy sufferers can avoid the airborne pollen by staying indoors during the morning hours when pollen is released and most active.

"If people could stay inside in the hours that it's really active, from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m., they'll reduce their chances to reaction," Kennedy said. "The pollen is usually settled in after that time. In the drier part of the day, it settles on down."

While some people are quite sensitive, the severity can vary and some are not allergic at all.

Allergic reactions require two components: a genetic predisposition for an allergen that causes a reaction and an environmental exposure to that allergen.

"If you put two people in the same environment, one may have terrible allergies, the other one exposed to the same thing might not," Ingram said. "Everybody is exposed to dust mites in their homes; some people just don't react to it, others do."

Jackie McMinn's 6-year-old son, Jackson, suffers from allergies that require him to take medicine year-round, while McMinn's two other children do not show symptoms. When Jackson's allergies are at their worst, he uses a machine that allows him to breathe in medicine through a face mask.

"Usually from January through May is probably the worst time for him," McMinn said.

Some patients have year-round symptoms of allergies, while others only have problems during times in which their particular allergens are most prevalent, Ingram said.

For those who only suffer moderately, over-the-counter medications may be sufficient. More serious allergies may require skin testing and allergy injections.

"If it's just a runny nose every now and then, then go to the drug store and get an over-the-counter antihistamine and use it when you need it," Ingram said. "If it's affecting your quality of life or it's affecting your schoolwork or job, then let's get it tested and see what you're allergic to."

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