There’s Something In The Air: All ‘Choked Up’ For Allergy Season

By Kendra Bobowick

The body is only trying to defend itself, but the results are swollen and itchy eyes, a runny nose, and sneezing.

Seasonal allergies can include these symptoms and more, but solutions are elusive, according to those in the medical field.

“Sometime the ‘cure’ is worse” than the symptoms said Robert Ruxin, MD, who has offices in Newtown and Ridgefield. He explained allergies as the body’s way of protecting itself against irritants like tree pollen, ragweed, pet dander, and any other well-known sources of discomfort having to do with the season. The neighbor’s new puppy or something in the hors d’oeuvres could trigger an attack of sneezing and itching. Beyond the coldlike effects are more severe allergies to certain foods or bee stings, for example, that can cause fatal reactions.

Unfortunately, the medical community can prescribe methods of relief, but has no cure for allergies, according to Dr Ruxin, who has offices in Newtown and Ridgefield.

Anti-inflammatory products, nasal sprays, or prescriptions provide some comfort, he said.

Despite severity of reactions or the cause, Dr Ruxin said allergic reactions from anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal, to a few weeks worth of sneezing and sniffling are “mediated by the same type of biochemical reaction.”

According to WebMD, anaphylactic shock is the potentially deadly allergic reaction to certain triggers. The website explains, “Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction marked by swelling of the throat or tongue, hives, and trouble breathing. When it strikes, life is at risk. Time is critical.”

Methods of treatment for severe reactions include EpiPens, which can stop deadly reactions to bee stings or foods often including peanuts or shellfish.

The EpiPen is the number one doctor-prescribed treatment, according to allergic-reactions.com. The item allows a person to quickly inject a shot that halts the allergic process.

The more common general coldlike allergy symptoms can be combated with over-the-counter items, nasal sprays, cortisone, or prescriptions, he said. Battling allergies can also be accomplished from indoors.

Air conditioning, which filters the air, is effective Dr Ruxin said.

Here the options to alleviate allergies ends.

“I would say that none of these things are miracle cures, but they are helpful,” said Dr Ruxin.

With adulthood may come a built-up resilience to certain allergens. Dr Ruxin explained, “Tolerance does sometimes happen.”

He has also seen the opposite, saying, “We don’t really understand the onset of allergies in adults. They have been exposed all their lives and something changes in the immune system.”

Suddenly, an adult may discover springtime sneezing and a runny nose where before there had been done. Further complicating the situation is another “sensitive” matter.

Once a person is “inflamed” by a particular allergic reaction, Dr Ruxin explained, “You become more sensitive to other things that did not previously matter.”

Spring Fever?

Springtime, with the renewal of nature’s plant life, includes budding trees that soon bloom and pollinate the air. Dr Ruxin knows the signs that will send those sensitive to tree pollen rushing for the indoors.

“You can see it in the trees, with the pretty little flowers and the fine coating of yellow or green or white powder dusting the cars,” he said. Early spring starts off the allergy season, ending the reprieve from watery eyes and endless boxes of tissues.

Except for those allergic to molds that can form in the confined spaces inside homes buttoned up for the winter months, spring pushes an abundance of particles into the air, aggravating the 10–20 percent of the population prone to allergic reactions.

 The initial burst of allergies due to tree pollen can go on for a good month or six to eight weeks, said Dr Ruxin. An end to the symptoms may not be in sight by the end of that time, however.

“Then you have to hope you’re not allergic to grass pollen,” he said. After this is a saturation of ragweed in August or early fall, he said.

Want to know more about allergies? Check out the special focus on all kinds of allergies and remedies in the upcoming Health Monitor, scheduled to be inserted into the April 28 edition of The Newtown Bee.