Springtime allergy sufferers, it's time to prepare your achoo arsenal

Most people in this area eagerly await spring, but for those who struggle with seasonal allergies, warmer weather is a mixed blessing.

Basking outdoors on the longer, sunny days makes you vulnerable to pollens that trigger allergy symptoms such as congestion, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, sore throat and exercise-induced asthma.

Spring allergy season usually revs up when the thermometer reaches 60 degrees for three or four days, experts say. That's when pollen from trees and shrubs starts moving through the air.

Depending on where you live, that typically happens in April, said Dr. John Jacobsen, an allergy specialist with Altru Health System in Grand Forks.

"Some trees are pollinated based on the number of hours of light they've received each day and the angle of sun," he said. "Some of it depends on the temperature."

Allergy or cold?

Because some allergy symptoms mimic those of a cold, it may be difficult to tell the difference.

"Seasonal allergies tends to be repetitive," Jacobsen said. "Colds come and go. The symptoms last for three days to three weeks, with symptoms like a runny nose, head congestion, coughing. Allergy symptoms last through a season-March, April and May-when trees are pollinated. In weed season, symptoms occur in August and September, even in July."

Mold season will last from spring until snow covers the ground, he said.

His approach to treating patients with allergies is "to start with minimal or non-sedating antihistamines," he said. "Generic forms are good."

An antihistamine can be used every day or as needed, he said.

Seasonal allergies can also be managed with decongestants and nasal cortisone spray, such as Flonase, which can be used every day during allergy season, he said.

If these medications are not effective, allergy injections, administered by an allergy specialist, may be necessary.

"We start with a tiny dose," Jacobsen said. If warranted, the dose and frequency are increased.

Some health professionals suggest taking allergy medications well before symptoms are expected to appear, but he is unconvinced that is necessary.

"We used to say, if you know you're having a seasonal allergy, take medication a day or two in advance or a couple of hours ahead," Jacobsen said. "Now most meds have pretty rapid onset. With (products such as) Zyrtec, Claritin and Allegra, you get benefit within hours."

Side effects

While some medications tend to make the user drowsy, some products on the market don't while others lessen that effect.

Many over-the-counter meds are sedating, such as Benadryl, Jacobsen said.

The least-sedating products are Zyrtec, Allegra and Claritin.

However troubling, allergy symptoms are signs that the body's immune system is fighting off substances it perceives as foreign.

But it's an unnecessary fight-one that scientists don't fully understand, he said.

"Allergens are not invading the body. There's no real reason to fight off ragweed pollen or tree pollen," Jacobsen said.

Having grown up on a farm in central Nebraska, he knows the problems allergies create because he fought allergies in his youth.

"Especially in the fall, the ragweed is terrible," he said. "You're sneezing, snorting, your eyes are watering and you're half-blind from allergies."

Some of the most common recommendations are not all that practical.

"The advice is to stay indoors, close windows and use air conditioning," Jacobsen said. "But if you're young and active, that's hard to do."

Tips to fight allergies

Source: The Mayo Clinic

Reduce your exposure to allergy triggers.

• Stay indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.
• Remove clothes you've worn outside and shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
• Don't hang laundry outside-pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
• Wear a pollen mask if you do outside chores.

Take extra steps when pollen counts are high.

• Start taking allergy medications before your symptoms start.
• Close doors and windows at night.
• Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning.

Keep indoor air clean.

• Use air conditioning in your house and car.
• If you have forced air heating or air conditioning in your house, use high-efficiency filters and follow regular maintenance schedules.
• Keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier.
• Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom.
• Clean floors often with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter.