Five N.Y. Locales Make Top-100 List

Of Spring Allergy Capitals: Med. Soc.

While warm spring days may beckon you outdoors, the Medical Society of the State of New York warns that according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of Ameri-ca (AAFA), this is the worst time to lounge in the shade of trees like oak, ash, elm, hickory, pecan, box elder and mountain cedar.

Experts estimate that up to 35 million Americans are allergic to pollen, those tiny particles released by trees, as well as by weeds and grasses. Mold spores can also cause allergy symptoms from spring to late fall.

The AAFA has released its 2004 Spring Allergy Capitals Rank-ings, listing the top 100 cities that might cause the most severe problems for people with allergies. Sev-eral locations in New York State have made the list. They are: New York City – #48, Syracuse – #76, Rochester – #80, Albany-Sch-enectady-Troy – #85, and Buffa-lo-Niagara Falls – #90. The #1 city in the United States for allergies this spring is Atlanta, Georgia.

Certain substances known as allergens can cause the immune system to overreact and produce these symptoms:

• Sneezing and stuffy nose;

• Coughing;

• Itchy eyes, nose and throat;

• Red, itchy, watery eyes; and

• Dark circles under the eyes from sinus pressure.

These symptoms are similar to – and easy to confuse with – symptoms of a cold. If the symptoms persist for more than a week, you may be experiencing allergies, rather than the common cold. On the other hand, if you have a fever or muscle aches, you probably have a cold or the flu, rather than allergies.

You may be born with an inherited tendency to develop allergies, although this does not guarantee that you are automatically going to have an allergic reaction. It can take several years to become sensitive to a specific allergen. Al-lergic sensitivity can be prompted by exposure to allergens when the body is weakened from illness and by frequent exposure to pesky al-lergens.

When to Seek Medical Attention

To help people recognize allergy symptoms and to prevent and cope with them, the AAFA offers a self-screening tool on its website at www.allergyactionplan.com/-screener. The foundation advises, however, that this screening tool is not a substitute for a comprehensive allergy screening and recommends seeking medical attention if the following conditions apply:

Symptoms (as described above) cause wheezing and coughing, fre-quent shortness of breath or tight-ness in the chest, or make a person struggle to catch a breath.

Allergies cause secondary symp-toms such as sinus infections.

Taking medications, such as antihistamines, does not control the allergy symptoms.

If allergies are suspected, a skin

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or blood test can determine the type of allergens that are causing the reaction.

Preventing Outdoor Allergies During Peak Season

During peak season, when the pollen count is highest, it is wise to check the local allergy forecast before heading outdoors. The medical society and the AAFA also recommend the following:

Stay inside during peak pollen times, usually between 10 am and 4 pm, and when humidity is higher and on windy days, when dust and pollen are more likely to be in the air.

Keep car windows closed while traveling.

Wear a facemask when going outside. This will help limit the amount of pollen inhaled.

If you do spend time outdoors, shower afterwards to wash away pollen that collects on your skin and hair.

While helping to protect you from pollen, these actions do not safeguard against allergens that can lurk indoors, such as dust mites and pet dander. That is another reason why it is important to determine what may be causing symptoms, so you can plan appropriate action and avoidance strategies. For additional information, visit the Allergy and Asthma Foundation website at www.aafa.org.

This information is provided by the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY). For more health-related information and referrals to physicians in your community, contact your local county medical society.

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