Outdoor Allergies

Healthy Living
Outdoor Allergies
Healthy Habits

May is spring time. We re-immerge after our months of winter hibernation to enjoy the warmer weather, the fresh breezes, the budding trees and first blooming flowers of the season.

Unfortunately, it is also the time when allergies spring up and bloom. If you are sensitive to any type of allergens, especially pollens, watch out! Thankfully, there are many ways to combat and even avoid these pesky symptoms.

What we generally call allergies can be defined as “an atypical reaction by the human immune system to a seemingly harmless substance in the environment’’. Allergies are generally inflammatory responses to ’allergens’, which are free particles in nature including dust, smoke and pollens.

Interestingly, allergies can cause specific reactions in an individual to something that may have a totally different reaction in someone else. In this respect they have no similarity with diseases where the symptoms are same or very similar in everyone. But beware! A casual sneeze while strolling in a garden doesn’t necessarily mean that you are under allergy attack of pollen.

In Canada, the most common outdoor allergy is seasonal allergic rhinitis, often accompanied by hay fever. It is triggered by our body’s reaction to outside substances such as pollen, mould and dust. This leads to the release of chemicals called histamines within our body.

This histamine release results in the typical symptoms of hay fever, which include a runny nose, watery eyes, rashes, and sometimes a cough. Approximately 20% of Canadians are affected by this particular allergy almost every spring.

People can be born with an allergy, or they may develop an allergy at any time during their lives. Interestingly, when you inherit an allergy, you generally inherit “a tendency” to be allergic. This means that you may not suffer from the same allergy that your parents do, but you will have the tendency to be allergic; you are simply more prone to allergic reactions in general.

Canadian children have about a 30% chance of inheriting seasonal allergic rhinitis if one of their parents has it. The probability rises to about 50% if both parents are affected.

If you know you are allergic, the best option is to avoid the allergens. This does not mean giving up outdoor activities. Try the following tips to enjoy the spring in pristine health:

• When indoors, use air conditioners and keep windows and doors shut to avoid pollen entering the indoor environment.

• Keep all allergens, including moulds and pollens at bay by vacuuming your house weekly, especially carpeted areas and footwear enclosures.

• Consider replacing carpets with wooden or linoleum floors to remove one of the root causes of allergy.

• Avoid clutter and keep your surroundings clean.

• Remember to cover your nose and mouth while cleaning.

• Avoid being outdoors excessively, and if you have to go outside, ensure that you shower afterwards. Change clothing and footwear to get rid of allergens before going to bed.

• Do not dry your clothes and linens outside in the open as they might accumulate pollens and mould from the air.

If you fail to beat the allergens and have an allergy attack, do not take the rash and dripping nose lightly. Refrain from self medication. Make an appointment and see your doctor. People tend to respond well to the correct medication, and this ought to be your next step when you lose your battle to ward off the mischievous allergens.