It’s the time of year when seemingly everyone is sneezing with an itchy, runny nose and red, watery eyes. You just feel wretched. Yes, it’s spring allergy season. Just when the weather beckons you to come outside, Mother Nature hits you with pollen, causing you to run back indoors. You hear all kinds of information about spring allergies and how to treat them. But what’s right and what’s wrong? Let’s look at some spring allergy myths you need to be aware of, plus what you can do to control your nasal and eye misery.
Spring allergy myth No. 1: “Hay causes hay fever.”
The term “hay fever” was coined in 19th century England when farmers who were baling hay suffered sneezing and nasal itching and felt feverish. It was thought to be due to the hay, but we now know it was caused by allergy to mold spores found in the hay. When you have allergy symptoms, you may feel like you have a fever, but allergies don’t raise body temperature. There’s no “fever” in “hay fever.”
[See: 8 Surprising Facts About Asthma and Seasonal Allergies.]
Spring allergy myth No. 2: “It’s the flowers causing my allergies during the spring.”
In fact, it’s rare for anyone to have an allergy to flowers. The pollen from flowers is carried by insects, so little of it is ever actually in the air. Trees and grasses produce pollen, which is then transported in the air and causes allergic reactions. Some of the common trees that cause spring allergies are oak, birch and pecan. Timothy and Bermuda grasses are also two major allergy-triggering culprits in the spring and early summer.
Spring allergy myth No. 3: “Eating local honey will control my spring allergies.”
This myth comes from the idea that, since bees carry pollen, some of that pollen would get into the honey they make. The theory is that by eating local honey, you’re consuming pollen grains — which in turn “desensitize” you to your allergies. It’s a good thought, but again, the pollen that triggers allergy isn’t transported by bees. It’s the wrong type of pollen. Feel free to eat local honey because it tastes good, but it won’t help your spring allergies.
[See: Is it Healthy to Sleep With Your Pets?]
Spring allergy myth No. 4: “Don’t worry. You will outgrow your allergies.”
This myth needs to be put to rest. Most children with nasal allergies will continue to have symptoms into adulthood. And kids with nasal allergies are at much higher risk of developing asthma, even as adults. Just because you didn’t develop allergies as a child doesn’t mean you won’t develop them as an adult. Even if you’re a senior citizen, allergies could be in your future.
Spring allergy myth No. 5: “Wait until your allergy symptoms kick in to start medicines.”
Allergy medications, such as over-the-counter antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids, do treat symptoms after they start, but they work better as a preventive treatment before the onset of the spring allergy season. By beginning to us them before the season and continuing throughout, you’ll get the best results. Make sure you get the right nasal spray. OTC decongestant nasal sprays such as Afrin, Sinex and Neosynephrine should only be used a few days for congestion, or you can develop “nasal rebound” and worse congestion. OTC intranasal corticosteroids, such as Flonase and Nasacort AQ, can be used throughout the season. They will treat all your nasal miseries.
[See: 7 Lifestyle Tips to Manage Your Asthma.]
Spring allergy myth No. 6: “Allergy medicines don’t work for me. I guess I just have to suffer.”
Wrong! If you don’t get better with allergy medicines, can’t tolerate them or hate taking them, you may be a candidate for allergen immunotherapy. With this treatment, you’re given small amounts of what you’re allergic to by a tablet under the tongue or by injections. Not only can it reduce your symptoms, but it may also help get rid of your allergies completely. Usually, allergen immunotherapy is a three- to five-year treatment. Ask your board-certified allergist if you’re a candidate for allergy immunotherapy.
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Spring Allergy Myths: Exposed originally appeared on usnews.com
