Don’t let allergies keep you and your family from enjoying some of life’s best moments in the sun.
Is it a cold or an allergy? A seasonal reaction or a year-round affliction? With so many questions surrounding the allergy topic, one point is of utmost importance. Ensure you know the basics, particularly what exactly causes your reaction and what you can do about it. Some of us are able to find relief in over-the-counter products, while others may need prescription medications, treatments or even allergy shots. Of course, all options will not work for everyone, and cost may be a serious consideration. First and foremost, it is important to understand just what your body is sensitive to and how to alleviate the symptoms.
As mentioned earlier, one way to do this is with a visit to your doctor, allergist or immunologist who may administer a test to identify your allergy. Usually a skin test is performed since it is faster and typically less expensive than the latter.
A skin prick test involves placing a drop of an allergen on the skin, breaking the skin to allow the allergen to enter, and then observing if the skin reacts with a red itchy area.
An intradermal test involves actual injection of the allergen into the skin and may be used when a skin prick test doesn’t come back positive, but the allergen is suspected as the culprit for the patient’s symptoms.
The skin patch test is when a pad containing the allergen is taped to the patient’s skin for at least 24 hours. There are some risks associated with being exposed to different allergens in these tests, so it is important to maintain close contact with your doctor and pay attention to your body’s reactions at the test site and your overall feeling of wellness. Do not hesitate to ask him or her questions.
A blood test is not as sensitive as the skin test, and is usually reserved for those who cannot do the skin test or who may have had a severe allergic reaction. It looks for certain levels of antibodies that the body makes in response to the allergen.
In the end, performing any of these tests should give you the information you and your doctor need in order to begin the right treatment to combat your allergies and symptoms. Once you’re armed with this information and a prescription or method of treatment, you can be on your way to enjoying the season a little more comfortably.
Consider the best. Avoid the worst.
Here are a few plants that comprise the best and worst lists when it comes to gardening and allergies. Grass is a big offender, but very difficult to avoid, so consult your doctor for ways to combat this one.
Best
- Hosta
- Impatiens
- Snapdragon
- Crocus
- Phlox
Worst
- Ornamental
- Grasses Bottlebrush
- Flowers
- Aster
Bring on the green!
Spring allergies don’t mean a lush landscape and casual gardening are out of the question for allergy sufferers. It just takes some careful planning, preparation and cleanup — you can even rely on your local Club for some supplies you need to make it easier!
First, avoid plants that rely on the air for pollination and those that are male pollen-producers. Look for female plants and those that rely on insects for pollination, as their allergy-causing pollen is too heavy to travel through the air.
You can find information online, in books, and through your local horticulture organization or nursery. You’ll get recommendations for plants, trees and flowers that are beautiful and much friendlier to an allergy-sufferer’s condition.
Horticulturist Thomas Leo Ogren, author of Allergy-Free Gardening: The Revolutionary Guide to Healthy Landscaping, is cited throughout industry material for his groundbreaking research related to landscaping and gardening with allergies. He even established a scale that ranks plants according to their likelihood of causing allergic reactions, called the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale (OPALS). It is widely used and helpful when choosing the plants to incorporate into your landscape. Additionally, take a few precautionary measures when heading outside to work:
- Wear protective clothing or a mask to avoid excessive exposure to allergens
- Don’t go out early in the morning when pollen is at its peak
- Avoid gardening on hot dry days when pollen can be transported easily through the air; opt for a cooler, cloudy day
- Avoid bringing your gloves, boots or hat indoors; remove and wash your clothing as soon as possible, and shower to remove allergens from your skin and hair
