Over 15% of people are estimated to suffer from pollen allergies. Many people don’t realize they suffer from these allergies and don’t make the right steps to solve the issues. It is worth knowing more about pollen allergies to identify if you or someone you know suffers from this condition and what you can do about it.
There are many types of pollen allergies and many names for it. The condition is also known as hay fever or seasonal allergic reaction. While many of us don’t take pollen allergies seriously they can be life-threatening in some cases. Depending on the season there is pollen all around us and if you have an allergic reaction you need to be very careful to avoid it. The cells that attack are basically invisible and travel through the air in the wind or transported by insects.
There are two main types of pollen; grass pollen, and tree pollen. Tree pollen tends to spike in the early months of spring while grass pollen comes a little later. You can likely use this to figure out what you are allergic to. Some people think they suffer from seasonal allergies but my mid-spring they feel fine and change their mind. These people are usually allergic to tree pollen.
To understand pollen allergies we need to know what is happening. When your body senses the allergens nearby it can panic a little bit. It thinks these invaders are harmful and it wants to protect you. To do this it releases histamines to keep them at bay. The histamines though will make your eyes and skin itchy as the blood dilates. Some people even form blackeyes due to swollen nasal membranes.
One-third of people who have seasonal allergies suffer from asthma attacks as well. If you have a pollen allergy it can make your asthma attack much worse. This is why it is important to know if you have a pollen allergy as it can make other issues much worse. The good news is that there are many treatments available for pollen allergies that are available from both natural health stores and traditional pharmacies.
Many weather and news stations have now started to report pollen counts each day. This is a great way to know what you need to do and if you need to avoid certain areas. You can also download a pollen app that can tell you the pollen count and particular high pollen spots in your area.
If you do suffer from pollen allergies it is not as easy as simply staying indoors. If pollen manages to make it inside it will cause a lot of problems. To minimize your vulnerability to pollen you should try to keep all openings in your home closed, especially in the early hours. You must dust your home regularly and wear a face mask while doing it. Clean your sheets regularly and shower with shampoo to avoid any pollen making their way to your pillow. One thing that people often don’t realize is how important it is to have a high-quality air conditioning unit and to get it serviced regularly. If the air is filtered and blown into your home is not filtered to a high degree it will spell disaster for anyone who suffers from pollen.
While it is difficult to get figures for deaths that are directly caused by hay fever it has been proven that deaths from heart disease and respiratory illness greatly increased during times of high pollen count as allergies increase the associated risks. Do your part to ensure you are not at risk and make sure that you and those you love know if they suffer from hay fever and what to do about it.
