Allergies and Asthma
Warmer weather is right around the corner and along with it are potentially irritating allergens called pollen. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (www.niaid.nih.gov), about 10 percent of the population in America is affected by pollen allergies. If allergies tend to get you down, use these online resources to help you beat the springtime sniffles by staying on top of the current pollen counts, weather trends, and research.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Web site houses an extensive search engine for allergies and allergy-related topics. You can access information from recent studies, allergy-specific facts, treatment options, and much more by simply typing in a keyword, such as “pollen,” “grasses,” “trees,” or “weeds.”
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) is a good source for answers to frequently asked questions about allergy-specific conditions, causes, treatments, and current news reports. It also allows you to search for an allergist near you.
Keeping up with local weather conditions is another way to beat the sniffles. By tracking local pollen counts and rain predictions, you can plan your outdoor activities during times of low pollen levels.
The National Allergy Bureau (NAB), is an affiliate of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology and accessible through the AAAAI Web site. The NAB records and reports pollen and mold spore levels in numerous locations across America. These recordings are taken and reported to local television and radio stations several times each week to keep you one step ahead of allergens.
The Weather Channel is about far more than just rain and snow. From the channel’s Web site you can access current pollen counts, allergy outlook, pollen forecast, air quality maps, a monthly allergies planner, an online allergies help clinic, and allergy hot spots sorted by types of pollen. You can also sign up to receive free, daily e-mail pollen alerts.
| Arm Yourself Against Allergies
The beginnings and endings of blooming seasons for trees, grasses, and weeds are fairly predictable throughout the United States each year. They range from February through November depending on where you are in the country. Armed with this knowledge, you can anticipate how and when you'll need to defend your eyes and sinuses. National Maps The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology displays a United States map color coded to show the various grass and ragweed seasons throughout the country. Look over the maps at the AAAAI Web site, and start planning your pollen-season defense strategy. |
Sources: www.niaid.nih.gov, www.aaaai.org, www.weather.com
DID YOU KNOW?
If you’re allergic to pollen, avoid being outdoors for long periods of time from 5 to 10 a.m. or save outdoor activities for after long rain showers. Allergens are typically made up of proteins. Allergy tests determine which proteins you are reacting to.
During pollen season, pollen lands everywhere outdoors, and it can easily come indoors with you. Wash your hands often to reduce the amount of pollen you introduce into your eyes via your hands.
Sunglasses can reduce the amount of pollen that gets in your eyes by deflecting wind that's carrying the pollen. Saline rinses or artificial tears can relieve the itchiness by diluting or washing away pollen grains that have blown into your eyes.
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