Flowers are blooming, the weather is warming up… and you’re sneezing?
Two in 10 South Africans are affected by seasonal allergies, says the Allergy Society of South Africa (ASSA), our warm South African climate encouraging a pollen season that lasts up to 10 months. But you don’t have to be a victim of pollen’s nasty side effects.
Follow these simple lifestyle changes to stop allergies in their tracks:
At home
- Keep the windows shut during pollen season and use the “recycle” function on your air conditioner or invest in an air purifier.
- If you don’t already shower or bath before going to bed, start now. Taking a shower or bath washes away the allergens that stick to your hair and face. Toss your clothes into the wash and put on clean pyjamas before you climb into bed. Changing sheets more often will help eliminate allergens.
- “Keep pets out of the bedroom,” advises allergist Dr Geraldine Mitton. Pets collect allergens in their fur. Keeping them out the bedroom and off the furniture will help you get a good night’s rest.
Outdoors
- Go for a run after it rains. A good downpour will wash away outdoor allergens for several hours.
- Besides looking ultra cool, and protecting yourself from harmful UV rays, wear shades to stop allergens from getting into your eyes.
- Mowing stirs up allergens so when it’s time for the lawn mower to come out, get someone else to do it! It’s a good excuse for you to get away from the house and go shopping.
Medicate
Professor Paul Potter, head of Allergology at the University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, offers the following medicinal advice:
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are particularly useful for treating sneezing, itching and a runny nose, but are not as effective for unblocking the nose. Only non-sedating antihistamines should be taken for allergies. Sedating antihistamines lead to drowsiness, poor function, car accidents and behavioural disorders in children. You can get your non-sedating antihistamines over the counter.
Sprays
Decongestants as sprays should be used for colds and not for allergies, as you become resistant to them within a few days and chronic use can damage the nasal lining. Intranasal steroids are extremely effective and safe for treating the congestive symptoms and can be used for long-term control.
Allergy shots
“Allergy shots” are now called allergen immunotherapy and may be given by injection weekly for 10 weeks and then monthly for three years. They can also be taken as drops under the tongue every morning for two to three years. These are very successful if you’re allergic to grass pollens or house dust mites.
Get tested
It’s wise to have an allergy test if you’re a regular sufferer. Skin tests are inexpensive and will give you a quick answer for common allergies. Blood tests provide a convenient and reliable way to test for immunotherapy, which offers a more than an 80 percent cure rate and is very cost effective in the long run. Herbal remedies, especially for seasonal control, may not give quick relief, and can be pricey. Supplement your diet with vitamin C to control or prevent colds in the winter if fresh fruit is not available.
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