Davidicus Wong is the health columnist for Freshet News.
By Davidicus Wong, MD
For the majority of west coasters, spring is a favourite time of the year.
We are energized by the longer days when the sun rises earlier each day and sets later in the evening. I love seeing the long lines of cute ducklings and goslings following their parents around the ponds of Central Park in Burnaby. We see people of all ages walking together in our neighbourhoods and parks, enjoying the warmer weather and the sounds, sights and scents of nature.
But for seasonal allergy sufferers, this can be the worst time of the year for their symptoms.
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While the rest of Canada is just warming up to spring, we’ve had unseasonably warm weather since the end of January and with it the release of tree pollen even before the cherry blossoms arrived.
My allergy-suffering patients have been coming in early with an increase in the typical symptoms: itchy, puffy, watery eyes; stuffiness of the nose and sinuses; non-stop watery or drippy noses, sneezing, and coughing from a post nasal drip. But note, no one gets a fever from hayfever, and the symptoms of allergies are very similar to upper respiratory infections.
The Aerobiology Research Lab has just forecasted a coming spike in the release of birch and oak pollens that will likely intensify the symptoms in susceptible allergy suffers.
So what can you do to enjoy the beautiful spring weather if you are an allergy sufferer?
Check the local daily pollen count on the Weather Network before you plan extended outdoor activities, particularly if you’re a runner or cyclist. Those with allergic asthma may suffer more shortness of breath and wheezing with their outdoor activities, and if their normally prescribed inhalers or puffers aren’t controlling their symptoms, they should consult with their family doctors.
If you can afford a good quality HEPA air purifier to improve your indoor air quality, you may sleep a lot better at night. Consider inexpensive saline rinses especially at the end of each day to rinse pollen from your nose and sinuses.
Non-sedating antihistamines such as Claritin, Reactine and Aerius are available without a prescription and can relieve many of the symptoms. Avoid decongestant nose sprays and eye drops that only provide temporary relief. They can cause rebound congestion if used daily.
Your physician can prescribe effective antihistamine eye drops, such as Patanol or Pataday for itchy watery eyes, and nasal steroid sprays for nasal and sinus congestion. If allergy symptoms aren’t controlled with these measures, immunotherapy such as allergy shots can be prescribed by an allergist, but this therapy takes many months to work and won’t help you during this year’s allergy season.
Although we are expecting a worsening allergy season, if you’re symptoms are more severe, significantly worse than they have been in previous years or you are suffering from a worsening cough, wheezing or shortness of breath, don’t hesitate to call your doctor.
I’m hoping we can all enjoy these beautiful long days together.
Dr. Davidicus Wong grew up in Burnaby, where he continues to practice as a family physician at the PrimeCare Medical Centre, integrating meditation, hypnosis, acupuncture and cognitive therapy in his medical practice. Read his blog at davidicuswong.wordpress.com.
Featured image: Brittany Colette/Unsplash
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