Beat summer allergies

Don’t let red eyes and a runny nose make you miserable this festive season. This article is about seasonal allergies and how to deal with them.

Most people probably look forward to the end of the cold winter months, and the coming of spring and summer. However, those who suffer from allergies can come to dread the warmer seasons as they stock up with tissues, nasal spray and antihistamine ointments during their weekly shop.

What are allergies?
An allergy is an unusually severe sensitivity to a substance, which can cause a reaction in a sufferer. These substances — called ‘allergens’ — can include things like pollen from flowers or trees, specific foods such as seafood, eggs, dairy products or peanuts, and stings from insects.

An allergy to one or more of these substances causes the body to release inflammatory substances called histamines in response to contact with them. This causes a reaction such as hay fever (runny nose and eyes, and swelling), asthma (when a sufferer struggles to breathe), or a skin rash with itching.
An allergic reaction can range from mild to very severe. In its worst form, it can bring on a condition called anaphylactic shock, which can happen very quickly and cause a person to struggle for breath, for their blood pressure to drop dangerously, and for their heart to go out of its normal rhythm. This situation needs immediate medical attention.

How do you know if you have allergies?
The usual way that one suspectsallergies is if contact with a particular substance always causes a bad reaction. If you suspect that you do suffer from an allergy, go to a clinic and ask for an allergy test to be carried out, which should help pinpoint the problem so that you can try to stay away from the substance that causes it.

The substances that generally cause allergies include:

•Airborne particles, such as pollen, dust, wood shavings and pet dander (a type of dandruff in animals’ coats): These tend to cause a reaction in the respiratory system (nose, throat and chest), which leads to swollen air passages causing difficulty in breathing, sneezing, runny nose and red, itchy eyes.

• Stings or bites from insects such as bees or wasps:
These can cause red, itchy skin, tingling or itching in the mouth, difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue and dizziness.

• Certain medications, such as antibiotics like penicillin:
These can cause raised, itchy spots on the skin, swelling around the face, wheezing, coughing, and narrowing of the airways.

• Rubber, metals and chemicals:
These can cause a serious skin reaction, like eczema.

• Some foods, such as peanuts and other nuts, eggs, dairy products such as milk and cheese, soy products and shellfish: These can cause a red, itchy rash, swelling of the mouth, tongue, lips, throat and eyes, nausea, vomiting, pain in the stomach and fainting.

How to try to avoid allergic reactions

When it comes to seasonal allergies, such as the ones that are in the air in the summer months there are a few things you can do to avoid them. For example:

• If you have a severe allergy to pollen, you could wear a pollen mask if you are going to be out in the country air for any length of time. However, if you know that you have an allergy to pollens or grasses, it is best to try to stay inside, or in the city, as much as possible during the warm months.
• Avoid using a fan in the home or office, as this tends to stir up pollen grains or dust that might be in the room.
• Vacuum and/or mop your carpets and floors regularly to keep dust and house dust mites at bay.
• Hang your washing indoors, instead of outside, to prevent pollen and dust from settling on it on the washing line.
• Cut down on dairy products, and avoid any foods that you believe may cause you to have an allergic reaction to them.
• Avoid tobacco smoke,chemicals and fumes, as these could trigger an allergic reaction if you are sensitive to them.

Medication

If your allergies cause great distress because they are frequent or very severe, you can ask your doctor to prescribe treatment for you, or ask your pharmacist’s advice.

Some of the medication that is available for allergies is:

• Antihistamine tablets. These fight against the reaction your body is having, and can also prevent an attack if taken regularly. However, be aware that they can make you feel sleepy, so don’t take them before driving or writing an exam, for example.
• Nasal sprays. These help clear out the nasal passages and help you breathe more easily.
• Eye drops. These help reduce redness and itchiness.
• Steroids. These are used mainly in severe attacks, and have to be prescribed by a doctor. They are very effective in limiting an allergy attack and work very quickly. However, they are not usually intended for long-term use, as they can cause side- effects over a period of time.