Allergy Be Gone Newsletter - April, 2005

Spring Allergies and How to Avoid Them

Spring allergies are caused by substances called allergens. Airborne pollens and mold spores are outdoor allergens that commonly trigger symptoms during the spring.

Pollen

The average pollen particle is less than the width of an average human hair. Many trees, grasses and low-growing weeds have small, light, dry pollens that usually trigger allergy symptoms. Plants usually emmit pollens starting from early spring and ending in late summer. In warmer climates this may start as early as February and end as late as November. In cooler areas, the allergy season may last only from March to June. The exact period of the allergy season in your area also depends on which plants are prevalent there, since different plants pollinate at different times.

Pollen as seen through a microscope.

Mold

Molds are microscopic fungi. Their spores float in the air like pollen, and are present throughout the year. Unlike pollens, molds do not have a specific season, but are affected by weather conditions such as wind, rain, humidity or temperature. Outdoor mold spores begin to appear after a spring thaw and reach their peak in July in warmer states and October in the colder states. Molds are present in almost every possible habitat. Outdoors, they can be found in soil, vegetation and rotting wood. Molds can also be found indoors in attics, basements, bathrooms, refrigerators and other food storage areas, garbage containers, carpets and upholstery.

Common mold spores, found in indoor and outdoor air.

Effects of weather and location

Allergy symptoms are often minimal on days that are rainy, cloudy or windless, because pollen does not move about during these conditions. Hot, dry and windy weather signals greater pollen and mold distribution and thus, increased allergy symptoms. If you are allergic to plants in your area, you may believe that moving to another area of the country with different plants will help. However, within a year or two you may find that you have acquired allergies to new plants prevalent in the area. Therefore, moving to another part of the country to escape allergies is often ultimately disappointing (not to mention - very expensive!), and is not recommended. Appropriate treatment is the best method for coping with your allergies. See your allergist or immunologist, who will take a thorough history and conduct tests, if needed, to determine exactly which pollens or molds are triggering your symptoms. He or she will help you determine when these airborne allergens are most prevalent in your area and the best way to cope with them. To find an allergy doctor near you, you can use our Allergy Doctors Directory.

• DO a thorough spring cleaning - windows, book shelves and air conditioning vents collect dust and mold throughout the winter that can provoke allergy symptoms. Allergy Be Gone offers a vast selection of cleaning supplies and highly effective HEPA vacuum cleaners to help you with this.
• DO keep windows closed at night to prevent pollens or molds from drifting into your home. Instead, if needed, use air conditioning, which cleans, cools and dries the air.
• DO wash your bedding weekly in hot water. If certain types of bedding or clothing cannot be washed in a hot water setting, we can offer you non-irritating laundry detergent, that will neutralize the allergens.
• DO remove visible mold with non-toxic cleaning products.
• DON'T mow lawns or be around freshly cut grass; mowing stirs up pollens and molds. If you must, we recommend using a face mask to protect yourself.
• DON'T grow too many, or overwater, indoor plants if you are allergic to mold. Wet soil encourages mold growth.

Your allergist or immunologist can provide you with more information on pollens and molds in your area.