¿Cuáles son las causas y cómo combatir los síntomas?
By Mason Gomberg, MD
As the days get longer and the winter chill, and snow changes to green lawns and flowering bulbs and trees, the symptoms of runny and stuffy noses and itchy eyes cannot be far away. These are some of the symptoms of spring allergies. The timing of spring allergies is weather dependent. Some years the season can start in early March and sometimes in the middle of April, depending on the outside conditions and amount of snow cover. When we see the crocuses and tree buds start to swell, spring pollens are sure to follow.
Spring allergies are caused by tree pollens. The pollens from Ash, Maple, Oak, Beech, Poplar, and Pine trees cause our bodies to react to these foreign substances. This immune reaction will cause many of us to have sneezing, coughs, runny nose, itchy eyes and nose, and dark circles under our eyes. The latter two symptoms are called an allergic salute or allergic shiners. If you are unsure of the diagnosis, start with your doctor.
Various tests can be ordered to confirm the diagnosis and if symptoms are particularly bad, a referral to an allergist may be needed.
Trees emit the largest amounts of pollens in the dawn and dusk time periods, (just when our children go to school or play prior to dinner.) Pollens are carried through the air and are particularly heavy on windy days. The small pollen particles are seen as a yellow powder on cars and patios. They are picked up through one’s nose and eyes. It is best to close your house windows in the early morning and late afternoon so pollens do not come into the house. Sometimes people will have to run their air conditioning instead of opening their windows if symptoms are particularly bad. Wearing sunglasses will protect pollen from going into one’s eyes. Also, washing your hair prior to bed will rid your head of pollens so you do not inhale them from your pillow while sleeping.
There are many types of medicines to help with your allergic symptoms. Your physician or allergist can help you decide which medicine is best for your condition. Many of the allergy medicines have become over the counter recently. They include antihistamines, nasal allergy sprays, and allergy eye drops. If these do not alleviate your symptoms, there are prescription medicines your doctor may order. If these fail, your doctor may suggest allergy testing or allergy shots to help your symptoms.
Just remember that spring allergies only last for 8-10 weeks.
Mason Gomberg, MD
Dr. Gomberg joined White Plains Pediatric Group in 1985. He has an interest in pediatric development, asthma, allergy, and adolescent medicine. He is married and has two wonderful daughters in Westchester. Sports, travel, and exploring the New York area are main interests. He loves watching his patients grow up from infants to young adults and never thinks a parent’s question is not warranted. He feels the practice of pediatrics is a blend of pediatric medicine and a patient’s growth and development.
Las alergias de primavera son causadas por los pólenes de los árboles. Los pólenes de los árboles fraxinus, arce, roble, haya, álamo y pino hacen que nuestros cuerpos reaccionen a estas sustancias extrañas. Esta reacción inmune causará que muchos de nosotros tengamos estornudos, tos, nariz que gotea, picazón en ojos y nariz y círculos oscuros debajo de nuestros ojos. Si no está seguro del diagnóstico, comience visitando a su médico.
Se pueden pedir varias pruebas para confirmar el diagnóstico y si los síntomas son particularmente malos, puede ser necesaria una derivación a un alergista.
Los árboles emiten las mayores cantidades de polen en los períodos de amanecer y atardecer justo cuando nuestros niños van a la escuela o juegan antes de cenar. El polen es transportado por el aire y es está particularmente presente en días de viento. Las pequeñas partículas de polen pueden verse como un polvo amarillo en coches y patios. Entran a nuestro cuerpo a través de la nariz y los ojos. Lo mejor es cerrar las ventanas de su casa al amanecer y atardecer para que los pólenes no entren en la casa. Se recomienda usar el aire acondicionado en vez de abrir sus ventanas si los síntomas son particularmente malos. El uso de gafas de sol protegerá de que el polen entre en los ojos. Además, lavarse el cabello antes de acostarse permite deshacerse de pólenes que pudieran estar en el cabello, de esta manera, se impide la inhalación de los mismos desde su almohada.
Hay muchos tipos de medicamentos para ayudar con sus síntomas alérgicos. Su médico o alergista puede ayudarle a decidir qué medicamento es mejor para su condición. Muchas de las medicinas contra la alergia son de venta libre. Incluyen antihistamínicos, aerosoles de alergia nasal y gotas oculares para alergias. Si estos medicamentos no alivian sus síntomas, hay medicamentos recetados que su médico puede ordenar. Si estos fallan, su médico puede sugerir pruebas de alergias o inyecciones contra las alergias para ayudar a sus síntomas.
Recuerde que las alergias de primavera sólo duran de 8 a 10 semanas.