Spring has arrived, bringing long sunshine-filled days and plants brimming with pollen, causing many Texans to reach for a box of tissues. According to the Houston Health Department, any tree pollen count over 1,500 is considered extremely heavy. Yesterday’s count in cubic meters of air was 6,990 and today’s is 2,653.
In addition to today’s substantial counts of tree pollen, weed and grass pollen counts are in the yellow, exacerbating the symptoms of seasonal allergies – also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever – and making an appointment at a Shenandoah internal medicine practice for diagnosis and treatment essential.
Symptoms of seasonal allergies in pollen-sensitive individuals include:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Headache
- Skin irritation
- Scratchy throat
- Watery, itchy eyes
In addition to these symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise that pollen exposure can trigger symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis and cause other conditions. “Exposure to pollen has also been linked to asthma attacks and increases in hospital admissions for respiratory illness” (CDC).
What is Pollen?
The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) defines pollen as tiny grains needed for plant fertilization. The academy adds that plants with colorful flowers, like the Texas bluebonnets, usually do not cause allergies since they depend on bee pollination. However, that is not necessarily true of all flowering plants, as some blooms produce powdery pollen easily spread by the wind.
Pollen – whether from trees, grasses, or weeds – is an airborne allergen that causes discomfort in nearly 20 million pollen-sensitive individuals per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These individuals suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, which causes your immune system to overreact to the allergen by producing antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE).
The AAAAI says these antibodies travel to cells that release allergy-symptom-inducing chemicals in the nose, lungs, throat, or skin. During Texas’s spring season, the symptoms most commonly caused by pollen and mold spores include congestion, sneezing, a runny nose, itchy/watery eyes, scratchy throat, and skin irritation. It is also possible to feel fatigued or suffer a headache.
Unfortunately, many factors can exacerbate these symptoms. These include air quality, local weather, and your level of pollen exposure. As mentioned in “How to Manage Spring Allergies,” the best ways to find relief from seasonal allergic rhinitis is to know your pollen count, avoid your allergens, and minimize indoor pollutants. In addition, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment at a Shenandoah internal medicine practice.
Find Relief at a Shenandoah Internal Medicine Practice
Conveniently located in Shenandoah – adjacent to Conroe, Spring, and The Woodlands – is Woodlands Diagnostic Clinic, an internal medicine practice providing compressive and compassionate health care. Woodland Diagnostic Clinic’s physicians are committed to optimizing the health and well-being of our patients through the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of both acute and chronic medical conditions in either an office or teleconference setting seven days a week. So, whether you need to visit a physician for your annual physical examination or find relief for spring allergies, schedule an appointment at this Shenandoah internal medicine practice today.
Resources:
“Daily Pollen and Mold Spore Reports.” Houston Health Department.
“Daily Pollen and Mold Spore Reports: What the Numbers Mean.” Houston Health Department.
“Fast Stats: Allergies and Hay Fever.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics, December 13, 2021.
“Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Defined.” American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).
“Outdoor Allergies.” American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).
“Pollen and Your Health.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), August 21, 2020.
