Allergy Season is Asthma Season


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allergy season is asthma season, too

Springtime is allergy season for many Americans. Over 41 million of us have nasal allergies. And if you have asthma, chances are you have nasal allergies, too...more than half of asthma sufferers do!

You probably know that your allergies can trigger your asthma symptoms. But, just what are nasal allergies? And what can you do about them?

what are nasal allergies?
You sneeze. Your nose is stuffy, runny, and itchy. Your eyes are watery and itchy. All because you are sensitive to triggers called allergens that can differ from person to person and season to season. You probably inherited a tendency for allergies from one or both of your parents.

why do I feel miserable?
Your immune system protects you from dangerous invaders like bacteria and viruses. However, if you have allergies, your immune system may also be turned on by things around you like pollen, pet dander, or mold. This can cause your body to react in an attempt to "protect" you from these invading allergens.

Here's what happens:

The first time you're exposed to an allergen, your body makes antibodies, natural proteins that neutralize the allergens and are meant to protect you from foreign substances that enter your body.
You don't experience symptoms the first time you're exposed. But the antibodies attach themselves to certain cells in your nose and elsewhere in your body. That's how you become sensitized to a particular allergen.
After you've been exposed to the allergen several times, the sensitized cells with the attached antibodies are triggered by the allergens to release very irritating substances like histamine. They go to work making the lining of your nose inflamed so it feels stuffy, itchy, and runny. Even your eyes may feel itchy and get watery.

what’s the right remedy?
Depending on what you are allergic to and how bad your allergies are, you may have several treatment options. Ask your healthcare professional which treatment is right for you. See the chart for common allergy medications and what they can—and can’t do.

When you treat your allergies, you may be helping to manage your asthma, too. Of course, you’ll stick with your asthma treatment plan every day so you can enjoy every season.