Allergy season has arrived here

Sunday, April 11, 2004

SIKESTON -- Watery eyes, runny noses and itchy throats aren't the only signs of the allergy season. Mother Nature also gives a little hint of the dreaded allergy season.

"Usually when you look up and see the budding on the trees, it means the allergy season is here," said family nurse practitioner Georgia Gremillion at Missouri Delta Medical Center.

And along with the buds on the trees, comes the tiny green tree pollen that seems to be affecting many area residents lately.

"People think they're allergic to flowers, but it's the pollen in the trees that's an allergen," Gremillion explained.

Elm and maple trees are the most common trees producing the pollen in the area, noted Gremillion who has worked eight years for an allergist.

"When things start budding out, pollen count goes up," said pharmacist Ernie Moxey of the Medicine Shoppe in Sikeston. "We had a fairly mild winter this past winter and that makes the onset of allergy season come quicker."

But pharmacist Randy Ackman of Randy's Rx in Sikeston said a harsh winter doesn't seem to make that much of a difference with the allergy season. "In Southeast Missouri, allergies run year-round," Ackman reasoned.

Generally tree pollen is the most common allergen for the area beginning in early spring followed by grass pollen at the end of spring, Gremillion said. Then in August and September ragweed and grass pollen are really bad, she noted.

With more than 35 million people experiencing seasonal allergies, experts say it's important that people -- both young and old - are educated on ways to manage their health so that they can enjoy time outdoors without feeling overwhelmed by allergy symptoms.

It's often pharmacists who are asked questions about avoiding and relieving allergies, especially during the allergy season.

According to Medicine Shoppe Pharmacies, those with allergies should also do the following:

- Check the forecast before planning a day outside because weather can affect pollen and mold counts.

- Schedule outdoor activities after 10 a.m. because pollen counts are highest in the early morning.

- Minimize time in certain outdoor locations because wooded areas and gardens are key spots for mold and pollen to collect.

- Wear a mask when gardening. It's important to wear a mask while planting or mowing the lawn so the mold and pollen that accumulates does not get in your eyes, nose or mouth.

- After returning indoors, take a shower. It is important to remove clothing that was worn outside and to take a shower because pollen can collect on clothing and even on hair.

Also, keep windows in buildings and cars closed, Gremillion advised.

"If they know it's a bad season, people with allergies need to certainly avoid being outdoors and do not have the windows open inside a building or car because the pollen floats in the air and lands in their noses and eyes," Gremillion suggested.

Running an air conditioner or even an purifier as opposed to opening windows can take some of the allergens out of the air, Gremillion said.

And Moxey suggested talking to a doctor or pharmacist to find out which allergy medication is best for each individual.

But sometimes patients just need to use a little common sense, Ackman pointed out.

"For patients who have allergies, it's better to pretreat them and take medicine on fairly regular basis rather than try to treat them after the symptoms start appearing," Ackman said. "If you know you have allergies, get on your medicines before the symptoms occur."

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