Glasgow Daily Times, Glasgow, KY

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June 24, 2008

Allergy season invades area

By AMBER DILLEY

GLASGOW — It’s that time again in Kentucky – time for sneezes and runny noses.

According to www.weather.com, the most common allergy in Kentucky is hay fever, which is caused by plants that are air-pollenated, like most grasses – including alfalfa and bluegrass – along with tree pollens from birches and willows and most weeds.

The allergic reaction is caused by breathing in the pollen from these plants. The immune system of someone who is allergic will respond abnormally to these normally harmless pollens. The allergen attaches to an allergic antibody – called IgE – causing the body to respond by releasing chemicals called histamine and leukotrienes. These chemicals cause the allergic symptoms like runny noses and itchy eyes.

Dr. Alan Greene, chairman of the Board for the Organic Center wrote on his Web site, that since the symptoms of a cold and an allergy are similiar, it can be hard to decide how to treat the symptoms.

“Allergies typically feature a clear nasal discharge with sneezing,” he wrote. “Colds will often begin with a clear nasal discharge, but after several days it usually turns creamy, yellow or green for a time. Sneezes tend to be more productive and coughs sound wetter than with allergies.”

Since the pollens that cause allergies travel by air, they are difficult to stay away from. People with allergies breathe in the pollens almost every time they step outside.

Most allergies are genetic. Other than medication to alleviate the symptoms, there’s not much that can be done other than not going outside.

There are many different kinds of over-the-counter medications that can block the histamine and leukotrienes the body produces that cause the symptoms, and choosing one can be difficult.

Charles Bryant, pharmacist for Parkland Drugs in Cave City, said that the Federal Drug Administration decides which drugs can be sold over-the-counter (OTC).

“Prescriptions have a federal caution on them,” he said. “They haven’t been ruled by the FDA for the public. OTC’s are safer for more people. If it can be taken safely by the general public, then the FDA will allow it to be OTC. Zyrtec (an allergy medication) used to be prescription only, but the FDA ruled it safe for the public and now it’s OTC.”

There are many options when it comes to over-the-counter allergy medication, but allergy sufferers should always check with their doctors first before starting any medication.

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