Latoya Young
Blue & White Flash / Staff Writer
Runny nose, itchy watery eyes, sneezing, and coughing, yes spring has arrived and brought these signs of the season along with the blooming flowers, green trees and tall grasses.
The early onset of spring-like weather has allergists and weather forecasters all over the United States predicting record breaking pollen counts. This news has many allergy sufferers dreading the symptoms and illnesses that accompany the yellow substance.
According to WebMD.com, the biggest spring allergy trigger is pollen — tiny grains released into the air by trees, grasses, and weeds for the purpose of fertilizing other plants. When pollen grains get into the nose of someone who’s allergic, they send the immune system into overdrive.
The immune system, mistakenly seeing the pollen as foreign invaders, releases antibodies — substances that normally identify and attack bacteria, viruses, and other illness-causing organisms. The antibodies attack the allergens, which lead to the release of chemicals called histamines into the blood. Histamines trigger the runny nose, itchy eyes, and other symptoms of allergies.
“The Health Center has had a large increase in the number of allergies/hay-fever type illness due to the increase in the amount of pollen that is floating around,” said Ollie Harper, RN, director of the Jackson State University Health Center. “This can result in an increase in the number of persons developing a sinus infection, that is what we are seeing.”
Pollen can travel for miles, spreading a path of misery for allergy sufferers along the way. The higher the pollen count, the greater the misery. The pollen count measures the amount of allergens in the air in grains per cubic meter. Airborne allergens also can trigger asthma, a condition in which the airways narrow, making breathing difficult and leading to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Harper offers this advice to students wishing to avoid allergy related illnesses.
“Students need to stay in more during this time. When out, and coming back in, remember that the green/yellow substance that you see outside is brought into your room on you and your clothing. So when going out, make sure that when you come in you remove some of your outer clothing,” said Harper. “Don’t get into your bed with this clothing on, wash your hair more often, and keep tissues to keep the nose and mouth clean and free of this dust. Just remember to wash and keep clean.”
Victoria Coleman, Assistant Director of the JSU Health Center made these recommendations.
“Some patients may experience allergy problems beyond the regular allergy season. Antihistamines such as Claritin or Zyrtec may help relieve allergy symptoms in most cases. A patient who suffers from asthma or other respiratory illnesses may have more difficulties during the allergy season.”
Students who need further medical assistance should not hesitate to visit the Health Center on campus or their local physician.
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