Monday, April 15, 2013

Surprising Seasonal Allergy Triggers

With spring rapidly approaching, allergic reactions have spiked as compared to the winter months. Allergy symptoms consist of sneezing, runny nose, watery or itching eyes, skin rashes, and common cold-like symptoms. To control these symptoms, many doctors prescribe seasonal medications or even yearly medical regiments to control allergy attacks. According to Prevention.com, the most effective way to decrease allergic reactions is to understand their triggers.
     Surprisingly, summer fruits are first on the list of agitators. Grass or ragweed allergy sufferers are advised to take precaution when eating apples, peaches, pears, and melons when these fruits are in season. Baseball parks, America’s pastime, overflow with an influx of families during the spring and summer months. Ironically, the dust and dirt from the field may contain high levels of spores, causing allergy symptoms to surface. Be aware and take precautions such as carrying allergy medications in case of an attack. After the baseball game, be careful of jumping directly into the pool to cool off. Diving into water instead of easing the body in can trigger asthma or allergy symptoms because of the sudden temperature drop. As the evening approaches, be sure to remain downwind during those late night camping adventures or bonfires. Smoke inhalation weakens the body’s immune system causing allergy symptoms to worsen.
     Lastly, on those beautiful summer days, think about the way heat traps pollen and diesel bringing allergens closer to the ground. It’s a good practice to always check the weather report for air quality. If quality is low, take precautions. 6 Surprising Seasonal Allergy Triggers