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February 23rd, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda THURSDAY, Feb. 23 (HealthDay News) — That constant sneezing you
thought was a winter cold might just be the beginning of your spring
allergies instead.
Many areas of the United States have had warmer-than-average winter
weather, which is causing trees to start pollinating earlier in some
places, according to Dr. Stanley Fineman, president of the American
College of Allergy, Asthma Immunology (ACAAI).
“What we’re finding is the warmer weather is bringing earlier
pollination of the trees. Here in Atlanta, we already have unusually high
pollen counts for this time of the year, and people are starting to have
symptoms already,” he said.
Asked if the early start would also mean an early end to allergy
season, Fineman said he didn’t think so. “I think the spring allergy
season will probably be longer. In the past few years, it’s seemed to
start earlier, but then seems to last as long as usual,” he noted.
Another expert agreed. “If you have a warmer winter, it’s likely that
you’ll have a longer and worse pollen season,” said Dr. Punita Ponda, an
attending physician in the pediatric allergy and immunology division at
Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York in New Hyde Park.
But, Ponda pointed out that it’s not always a warmer winter that brings
more pollen. Last year, it was a particularly wet winter in the New York
area, with much greater than normal snowfall.
“Last year was a cold, cold winter with a lot of snow, and it was
followed by a pretty impressive pollen season,” she said, adding that the
longer pollen seasons may actually have more to do with global warming
than the year-to-year variations in weather. “So, it may be that next year
we’ll have a long spring pollen season, whether or not it was a warm
winter,” she said.
So, how can you tell if your runny nose is caused by a cold or
allergies? The biggest clue is time, say the experts. If you have what you
think is a cold that lasts longer a week, it may be allergies, according
to the ACAAI. Also, allergies don’t cause fevers and body aches, whereas a
cold or flu can. If the discharge from your nose is clear, it’s likely
that an allergy is to blame from your misery, according to the ACAAI.
Both Fineman and Ponda said it’s important to see an allergist to help
identify your triggers through allergy testing. Once you know exactly what
makes your allergies flare up, you can take steps to prevent them.
If tree pollen is an issue, Ponda says that she advises her patients —
or their parents — to follow pollen counts in their area, and if the
levels are moderate or high to start taking preventive measures, such as
keeping the windows closed. She said it’s especially important to take
steps to avoid pollen between the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. when pollen
counts are often at their highest.
Other things you can do are to stay inside during high pollen hours
whenever possible, and if you have to go out, to use the recirculated air
setting for your car’s vents. When pollen levels are elevated, it’s also a
good idea to shower as soon as you come home or at least before bed to
avoid spreading pollen in your home and bedroom.
In addition to these self-care steps, Fineman said that there are
preventive medications that can often help keep allergies at bay. The
first line in treatment is generally over-the-counter antihistamines, such
as Allegra or Zyrtec or generic equivalents. For more severe allergies, he
said that doctors will often prescribe nasal steroids or
antihistamines.
And, for those with really intolerable allergies, Fineman said to
consider allergy shots. “Allergy immunotherapy is a long-term treatment
that develops a sustained tolerance. It’s a more life-changing way of
dealing with allergies,” he said.
More information
Check out pollen counts near where you live at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma Immunology’s
National Allergy Bureau.
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