Briefly speaking: Be prepared for allergy season

It may be hard to imagine with trees bare of leaves this month, but spring blooms will soon arrive with a chorus of sneezes and sniffles — the dreaded allergy season.

Allergies are common in Davis and the No.1 health concern of UC Davis students. So how can students distinguish allergy symptoms from those of a persistent cold and find relief?

When a person has an allergy, the body is overreacting to things that don’t cause problems for most people. Pollens from grasses, trees and weeds are the usual suspects behind seasonal allergies.

Michelle Famula, director of Student Health Services, says classic upper respiratory allergy symptoms closely mimic those of a cold, with sinus congestion, sore throat, watery eyes, and wheezing or shortness of breath. The principal difference between a cold and allergies is the seasonality and longer duration of allergies.

“Allergies can stick around and make you feel miserable, even when you’re not really sick,” Famula said.

Even if a student experienced allergies and/or asthma as a child and hasn’t had symptoms for years, symptoms may recur, especially in an area like Davis that is filled with a variety of tree pollens.

In fact, allergy problems are the No.1 health concern of UC Davis students who responded to the annual American College Health Association National College Health Assessment survey. Last year, Student Health Services treated almost 700 students for a diagnosis of allergy, more than 500 for asthma and about 1,000 for symptoms of dermatologic allergies including itchy, dry skin; hives; or eczema.

Management is key

“The good news is that for the vast majority of allergy/asthma patients, proactive self-care can help decrease symptoms dramatically,” Famula said. “If you know allergy season is coming and you will be affected, be prepared; don’t try to play catch-up once you’re already completely congested.”

Famula said early March is typically the beginning of allergy season.

Some students are caught off guard because they haven’t lived in an area with such a high concentration of tree pollens. Famula encourages them to work with their health care provider to find the medication that is most effective.

If allergies are left unmanaged and congestion lasts for a long period of time, students can get a secondary infection, because sinus cavities that don't have a chance to drain well become a breeding ground for bacteria.

Allergy relief

Years ago, most allergy medications were very sedating. Now, even over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants don’t have as many side effects, and they provide quick relief.

“Once patients get a personal understanding of how their body reacts at different times of the year,” Famula said, “there’s a lot they can do to keep themselves healthy throughout the season.”

She offers a few tips:

• Pay attention to pollen counts, available in local weather forecasts and on the Web, to identify key triggers.
• Avoid being outside on dry, windy days as much as possible.
• Keep windows and doors shut.
• Use a nasal saline rinse.
• Shower before bed to remove pollen from hair and skin.

The Web site of Student Health Services offers additional information about allergies.