Coping with Seasonal Allergies

Sniffling, poor sleep, low energy—is it a cold or allergies? Dr. Andrew Hope explains the difference, and shares a wealth of expertise, in order to help people thrive.

Andrew Hope, MD, is chief of the Allergy Department at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara. He’s also the featured guest of the Health Talks Online free webinar titled “Seasonal Allergies.” His talk is timely, since more than 35 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, which are hitting Northern Californians right now. Tune in to hear more from Dr. Hope on Wednesday, April 3 at 12:30 p.m.

Interview by Lynn Mundell

How are allergy and cold symptoms similar, and how do they differ?

It can be difficult to differentiate between colds and allergies. People may have both conditions at once, and some of the symptoms are the same, such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes and throat. Both can make you feel run down, with low energy and poor sleep. However, colds usually last no more than a week, while allergies can last for months, typically in the spring. If you have a fever, you can be sure it isn’t an allergy. On the other hand, if you have encountered an obvious trigger, such as visiting a farm or hiking over the weekend, that can be a clue that it is an allergy.

Why do some but not all people suffer from allergies?

We know that the period of highest susceptibility is 5 to 10 years of age, so there are factors about immune system formation and environmental exposures that are important at that age. However, no one can tell you with certainty why some people develop allergies and some don’t. One of the more interesting ideas about this, the hygiene hypothesis, is a notion about how the sort of environment we grow up in influences our tendency toward allergies. From studies around the world, researchers have found over and over that a cleaner, less outdoorsy environment in early life leads to a higher rate of allergies, while people who grow up in areas with exposure to soil and animals, such as farms, have a lower rate of allergies. In addition, there is a strong genetic link to allergies.

What constitutes Northern California’s allergy season?

Seasonal allergies in our area are mostly due to tree and grass pollens, with weeds playing a minor role. The tree allergies are the most severe from March through April. The grasses tend to pollinate from April through June. That said, the severity of an allergy season varies year to year, depending upon the weather.

Can you dispel—or confirm—the most common notions about allergies?

It’s true that you can “outgrow” your allergies over time; it’s a health condition that actually improves as one ages! The idea that allergies often but not always come in clusters or multiples is also true. It’s false, however, that any nasal symptoms mean you have allergies. You might have a slow recovery from a viral infection or be reacting to another irritant in the air, instead of an allergen.

When does an allergy move from a minor annoyance to something worth treating?

If it affects your day-to-day activities, such as work or school performance, sleep, or an ability to enjoy the outdoors in the spring, you need to get treatment. If this is an annual routine for you, then it is okay to start your usual medications, but if you’re not sure what to do, then check with your doctor. If you aren’t feeling better with the first-line treatments, an allergist can diagnose your allergies with either skin or blood tests. Treatments for allergies range from an over-the-counter medicine to allergy shots in which tiny amounts of allergens are increased in dosage until the allergy symptoms are reduced and tolerance improves.

What are some other preventive steps for reducing allergies?

Try to limit outdoor activity, and don’t open your home and car windows on high pollen count days. Consider wearing a mask to mow grass and to garden or even avoiding these activities. Beyond seasonal allergies, if you are allergic to dust mites, there are some important things to do at home. For example, use dust mite-proof covers on pillows and mattresses, wash bedding in hot water weekly, and tumble stuffed animals in a hot dryer or put them in a freezer overnight to kill dust mites. Finally, consider purchasing a vacuum with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter.

What is your best piece of advice?

Keep an eye on the pollen count at the National Allergy Bureau. When allergies are at their height, if you know you are susceptible, start your medications early. Then they can get working before the worst symptoms hit and you won’t have to suffer.