How to Avoid an Allergy Attack Don’t Let the High Pollen Count Bring On Seasonal Symptoms

The weather’s warming, blooms are bursting – and you couldn’t be more miserable. Find out how to stop an allergy attack this season… It starts with a runny nose, watery eyes and a tickle in the back of your throat. At its worst, you may feel as if you’ll never stop sneezing. If this happens every year, you have seasonal allergic rhinitis – otherwise known as hay fever. It strikes when plants release pollen, usually in spring. When you breathe it in, your immune system thinks it’s being attacked, so it releases chemicals called histamines to fight the invaders. Instead, you wind up sneezy, watery and itchy. More than 50 million Americans have some type of allergy, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). If you’re one of them, here’s how to stay healthy when pollen count is high: Allergy Attack Risk Factors The severity of allergy symptoms depends on season, weather and even your menstrual cycle. Being aware of these factors can help avoid attacks, experts say. Consider: Time of year: Generally, pollen season lasts from February or March through October. The farther south you live, the earlier pollen – and allergy – season hits, according to the AAAAI. In warmer places, it can be year-round. Ragweed, the plant that causes the strongest seasonal symptoms, is most active at the end of summer – so that’s the worst time for nature hikes. The weather: Shifts in climate can trigger allergies, says Gary Rachelefsky, M.D., professor of allergy and immunology at the Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA). “Changes in barometric pressure – a drop in humidity and hot air – can worsen symptoms,” he says. “Even moving in and out of air-conditioned rooms can aggravate someone who is sensitive.” Windy days can be the worst, says Vincent Tubiolo, M.D., an allergy specialist in Santa Barbara, Calif. Breezes carry pollen through the air that you breathe. Rain washes away some pollen, and may improve things temporarily, he adds. But don’t be complacent; shortly after a rain shower, pollen count rises even higher than before. Your time of the month: Believe it or not, allergy symptoms can be linked to your monthly cycle. “Rising and falling hormone levels can affect allergies,” Rachelefsky says. Over-the-counter allergy medications can help when symptoms arise, he adds. Write down when this happens, so you can predict when to avoid outside activity in the future. Pregnant or trying to conceive? Many over-the-counter allergy relief medications are safe to take – but consult your doctor first, Rachelefsky cautions. Other substances: If environmental allergens such as dust mites, pet dander and mold bother you, they could also worsen your seasonal pollen symptoms, says allergist Anne K. Ellis, M.D., director of the Environmental Exposure Unit at Kingston General Hospital in Ontario, Canada. This phenomenon is called “priming.” Your body’s defenses are already lowered, so it’s harder to fight off new seasonal allergies. Eliminating or minimizing exposure to these substances helps reduce the risk of an allergy attack. If you’re allergic to pet dander, for example, don’t let “Mr. Tinkles” sleep with you. If dust mites are a problem, clean frequently and use allergy-proof bedding. Avoiding Allergens Here are 10 more things you can do to minimize your pollen exposure and reduce symptoms, according to allergist Tubiolo and UCLA’s Rachelefsky. 1. Don’t track in allergens. They can attach to your shoes. Cut down on indoor particles by parking shoes outside your door. 2. Change often. After spending time outdoors, change your clothes and put the dirty ones in the hamper. 3. Don’t wait till morning to shower. Showering when you get home erases any allergens you brought with you. This also helps keeps pollen out of your bedroom – a prime spot for allergens of all kinds. 4. Clear the air. To remove even tiny particles from the air, use air purifiers with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters. Keep them running continuously, and change filters according to manufacturer’s instructions. You should also use high-quality filters in your vacuum cleaner, air conditioner and furnace to keep the air in your home as allergy free as possible. 5. Shut your doors and windows. A HEPA purifier can’t keep up if you’re constantly letting in allergen-filled outdoor air. If you need fresh air, open windows in the evening when pollen counts are lower. 6. Wait to go outside. Schedule outdoor time when the pollen count is lower – cool afternoons and evenings are your best bet. Be careful on hot, windy days and after a rain, when the air may be full of allergens. And find someone else to mow your lawn or rake leaves, both of which can stir up pollen. 7. Keep track of pollen levels. The AAAAI’s National Allergy Bureau reports on pollen and mold levels around the country. Check it (or sign up for email alerts) to learn about high-allergen days when it’s better to stay indoors. 8. Change your workout schedule. Don’t avoid exercise just because you fear an allergy attack, Tubiolo advises. But be smart about it: Schedule hikes and other outside exercise late in the day, and check the pollen count first. During peak season, take allergy medication before any outdoor activity, Tubiolo says. Or find activities you can do indoors, such as swimming, basketball, weightlifting or yoga. 9. Protect your lungs. Pollution, fireplace smoke, dust and tobacco smoke have an adverse effect on your respiratory tract. These irritants will likely increase your susceptibility to seasonal allergies, Rachelefsky says, so avoid them as much as possible. 10. Travel wisely. Don’t let allergies sideline your vacation. Use a pollen tracker to find destinations with the lowest counts. For example, heading to the beach or taking an ocean cruise probably won’t result in allergy attacks. If you take a road trip, keep the windows and vents closed and the air conditioning on so that you breathe clean, dry air. (Worried about fuel consumption? Air conditioning gobbles gas, but so does driving with the windows down. And at highway speeds, there isn’t much difference, according to the Stanford University School of Earth Sciences.) Take Your Medicine It’s virtually impossible to avoid all allergens – which means you need medications in your allergy arsenal, Rachelefsky says. “The best, first line of defense for an allergy attack is over-the-counter antihistamines, or an antihistamine/decongestant combination,” he says. Antihistamines work by blocking your immune-system’s itchy and sneezy reactions, while decongestants reduce swollen tissue in the nose and elsewhere. “Non-sedating antihistamines, such as Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine), offer relief from three of the four major symptoms of allergic rhinitis: sneezing, itching, watery eyes and runny nose,” Rachelefsky says. Some sufferers also swear by natural remedies, such as saline nasal rinses that wash away allergens. (Learn more helpful ways to outsmart those allergies.) After an allergy specialist determines exactly what your triggers are, you get a series of injections with a vaccine containing extracts of those allergens. Eighty to 90% of patients experience dramatic improvements in their symptoms, Ellis says.