Allergy season is well under way and those who suffer should be cautious.

Tuesday, June 27, 2000

Allergy season is well under way and those who suffer should be cautious.

Spring and summer weather historically brings with it pollens from grass and various trees that cause allergic reactions for many people, said Dr. Katherine Carias, allergy specialist at River Valley Health System’s MedCare Physician Associates.

"Grass is the primary source of pollen this time of year," Dr. Carias said. "Weeds are the worst source of pollens that create problems. There are also year-round dust mites and molds that people often have reactions to."

Pollens are windborne – using wind as a means of travel – and are more common in the spring, summer and fall months.

"Pollens are heaviest in the early morning – between the hours of 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. – which is really a bad time to to go out for those who suffer from allergies," Dr. Carias said. "The wind carries pollens from the weeds, grass and even trees a lot greater distance during the early morning hours."

Also, people who suffer from allergies should consider drying clothes in a dryer instead of hanging them on a line outside to dry, she said.

The moisture from the clothes will collect heavier amounts of pollens as they are carried through the air.

Mowing grass will stir weed and grass pollens into the air, so a dust mask will help best avoid the added pollens that are created while working in the yard, Dr. Carias said.

"An estimated 15 percent of all Americans that go to a physician suffer from allergies," Dr. Carias added.

"Many don’t even realize they suffer from allergies," she said. "Those who suffer from allergies are born with allergies. They are born with the gene and then as they grow older they experience exposure to it. Allergies do not just happen. If a person has allergies, they will know. They usually suffer from itching of some type, whether it be from itching of the roof of the mouth, watery eyes often with red eyes and even itching of the skin."

The Ohio River Valley is an extremely prone area for unusually high mold counts, which cause many people to react. Moisture and the low-lying lands create conditions that molds thrive in, Dr. Carias said.

"Our region is extremely bad for molds because of the terrain located in the valley with the added moisture factor," she said. "The fall season is perhaps the worst time of year for molds. As tree leaves fall to the ground and decay, they create high counts of molds that can aggravate allergies. The only time one can expect to find a zero mold count is when there is a good snow or frost on the ground."

Allergy shots and various other antihistamines are available both over the counter and by prescription – though those using such medications should exercise caution when using them, she said.