8/31/2010
By GARY DEMUTH Salina Journal

When autumn is in the air in Kansas, it can mean only one thing: frequent sneezing, coughing, wheezing, stuffy and running noses, throbbing headaches and red, watery eyes.

Welcome to the fall allergy season.

This year, more than most, may prove to be a nightmare for allergy sufferers. That's primarily due to the growing abundance of ragweed and other seasonal weeds -- such as goldenrod and pigweed -- that have begun filling the air with microscopic irritants and will continue to do so until the first freeze.

Blame the high ragweed count on early spring and summer rains that provided ideal growing conditions for these allergy-inducing weeds and other plants, said Tom Maxwell, district extension agent in crops and soils for K-State Research and Extension Central Kansas District.

"Those weeds are doing well with all the moisture and shedding a lot of pollen," he said.

An abundance of ragweed grows wild in area pastures each year, Maxwell said. So, for the next couple of months, or until the first freeze of the season kills it off, ragweed and other weedy irritants will keep allergy sufferers in agony.

In the meantime, it's smart to take as many preventative measures as possible to help control the allergic onslaught.

Dr. Bennett Radford, an allergy specialist at Salina Clinic, 501 S. Santa Fe, recommends allergy sufferers stock up on over-the-counter allergy symptom treatment and relief medications such as Claritin-D or Zyrtec.

Another effective preventative treatment, he said, is to use a saline nasal mist such as Ocean or Ayr to keep nasal passages cleaned out.

"The nasal passages are where the allergens start, so I've found a (nasal mist) to be very beneficial," Radford said.

If these relatively inexpensive treatments prove ineffective and signs of respiratory difficulties such as asthma, a sinus infection or inflamed skin condition appear, it may be time for a more aggressive treatment, Radford said.

"You should see your primary care doctor to try a prescription type antihistamine or steroid-type nasal spray," he said. "When you start to get asthma from allergies or a sinus infection, it takes a little more expertise to get it under control."

Although ragweed and other outdoor irritants can be a primary cause of allergy outbreaks, other factors may contribute to sinus misery, Radford said.

In some cases, a chronic allergy sufferer needs to undergo allergy skin tests to determine the root of his or her problem. Among the allergens generally tested, Radford said, are common tree pollen, grass, weeds, molds, cat and dog hair, house dust and dust mites.

"Because of our agricultural industry, we look at crops in the area like wheat, corn, sunflower and alfalfa, and the molds that get on those crops, too," Radford said.

A patient may be injected with minute amounts of allergens, Radford said, "to allow them to become desensitized and develop an immunity with time."

A key part of an allergy treatment plan is to control or avoid substances that cause allergy symptoms. Radford suggested a few tips for minimizing the outbreak of allergens both inside and outside the home:

nWhen mowing the lawn or working in the yard, wear a dust mask.

nDon't dry laundry outside because it will collect pollens.

nPets let outside need to be brushed and/or cleaned when brought back into the house.

nCarpeting, bedding and furniture collect dust and dust mites. Steam-clean rugs and carpets often, dust furniture with a damp cloth, wet-mop hardwood or tile floors at least twice a week and cover mattress, box spring and pillows with allergy-proof casings.

nKeep house and car windows shut during spring and fall pollen seasons. Use central or room air conditioning and set it at "recycle or "recirculate." Change filters often.

nKeep your home dry. Fix leaks right away and check for dry rot often. If your house is damp, use a humidifier.

nClean rain gutters and drain areas of the yard where water collects. Remove leaves and yard debris regularly.

nAt the height of allergy season, consider taking a vacation to the beach or the mountains, where pollen counts generally are lower.

But no matter where an allergy sufferer goes, he or she can't hide from allergens forever. It's just a price one pays for living in Kansas, Radford said.

"Once we get a good freeze, allergens go down. As long as it's above freezing, there will be molds and weeds sticking around."

nReporter Gary Demuth can be reached at 822-1405 or by e-mail at gdemuth@salina.com.

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