The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America consistently
ranks the San Antonio metropolitan area as one of the “most challenging places
to live with spring allergies” in its yearly ratings.
Things are running even truer to form this year, since a
mild winter gave way to an early spring with an explosion of pollens and wet
weather has spawned a multitude of molds.
Health care professionals at Joint Base San
Antonio-Randolph’s 359th Medical Group are seeing the various symptoms of
allergies – from sneezing, coughing and itching to runny noses, headaches and
sore throats – in their patients.
“The San Antonio area is always a challenging place for
allergy sufferers because there is not a drop-off in the weather,” said Maj.
(Dr.) David Dy, 359th MDG Family Health Clinic medical director. “This winter
was very mild, which caused some pollinators to bloom early. So springtime
allergy season started earlier and is more severe than usual.
“Some patients are exhibiting new symptoms as well as more
severe symptoms,” he said.
Distinguishing between allergies and the common cold can be
difficult, said Capt. (Dr.) John Lax, 359th MDG Family Health Clinic physician.
“Some helpful tips to tell them apart are that allergies
will last much longer than cold symptoms and your nasal discharge tends to be
clear rather than thick and colored,” he said. “In addition, itching of the
nose, mouth, throat and skin is uncommon with a cold, but very common with
allergies.”
Allergies are the body’s overreaction to things in the
environment, Lax said.
“Your body responds by releasing a chemical called histamine
that causes swelling of nasal passages, itchiness and sometimes coughing,” he
said.
The most common allergens are molds, animal dander, dust and
pollens from trees, plants and grass, Lax said.
“If you are allergic to pollens, you may notice your
symptoms are a little better on rainy days and worse on days with low humidity
and high winds as this makes the amount of pollen in the air higher,” he said.
Allergies can be treated through the avoidance of allergens
that cause symptoms and by using medications, Lax said.
Ways to avoid pollens are refraining from outdoors
activities, especially on dry, windy days during the worst allergy seasons;
keeping windows and doors shut in vehicles and at home; and using HEPA air
filters on air conditioners to help trap allergens.
Mold can be avoided by removing indoor house plants;
frequently cleaning showers, baths and bathroom windows; not using carpet in
moist areas; and using a dehumidifier to keep humidity in the home below 50
percent.
Dy said consistent use of medications is important in
treating allergies.
“If you know you have seasonal allergies and you live in
this area, you should take your medications every day because there’s always
something growing,” he said. “You should take them year-round.”
Oral medications such as antihistamines and steroid nasal
sprays are effective in treating allergies and many of these medications can be
found over the counter, Dy said.
“Sometimes people have to be on oral medications and nasal
sprays,” he said.
Dy said people should be patient with oral medications and
nasal sprays because their response time can be up to a week.
“Relief is not always immediate,” he said.
Immunotherapy, or allergy shots, should be used as a last
resort, Dy said.
“Allergy shots should be reserved for those who don’t
respond well to oral medications or nasal sprays, have a food allergy or are
not able to control their symptoms with conventional treatments,” he said.