Allergies- Nothing to Sneeze At!

What is Allergy?

An allergy is an abnormal reaction or increased sensitivity to certain substances. The allergic individual produces symptoms when exposed to these substances, which are harmless to non-allergic people. The main reason for this is that allergic people make a special type of antibody called Immunoglobulin E (IgE), which can react with environmental substances in a harmful way. These substances are called allergens. The reaction between allergens and IgE antibodies causes the release of substances such as histamine, which produce allergic symptoms in the skin, the nose, the eyes, the chest, etc.

Central Illinois Environmental Pattern
•All year round - dust/mold
•February-March - trees
•May-July - grasses
•July until October or the first "hard" frost - weeds

Seasonal allergic rhinitis (commonly called hay fever) usually results from tree, grass, flower or ragweed pollen. With this type of rhinitis, symptoms will decrease with the arrival of cold weather. Perennial allergic rhinitis can cause year-round symptoms. This allergic reaction is the result of indoor irritants such as feathers, dust, mold spores, animal danders (hair and skin cells shed by pets) or dust mites. Because different types of pollen, dust and mold spores occur in various geographic locations, students who never experienced allergic rhinitis before may develop it when introduced to a new environment.

PREVENTION
You cannot prevent an allergy, but you can prevent a reaction. The most effective method to prevent a reaction is to avoid the allergen that triggers your allergic response. Try these steps as well:

• move out all unnecessary furniture of your living space
• keep windows tightly shut
• frequently clean the curtains, blinds, bedding and carpeting
• use pillows and comforters stuffed with dacron or polyester
• enclose mattresses and box springs in plastic
• purchase a HEPA filter for your sleeping area and possibly for other areas of your home
• move out decorative pillows, books, and stuffed animals
• keep the floors bare
• use dusting products formulated to hold the duststore clothing so dust will not settle on it
• never sweep - use a vacuum only
• maintain a balanced diet to improve your body's ability to heal itself
• Sleep with your head elevated to prevent nasal congestion during the night
• Drink adequate fluids (eight 8-ounce glasses per day) to loosen the secretions in your nose and throat

For more information on the services provided through McKinley related to the treatment of seasonal allergies, please see http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/Clinics/ITC/allergy_injections.htm.

Contributed by McKinley Health Center.