Sneezing and Wheezing: Spring is in the Air

Plan your outdoor activities to take advantage of lower pollen and mold counts

Buffalo Grove -- Spring may be known as a season of love, but, for seasonal allergy sufferers, it’s simply a time to sneeze and wheeze.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) reports allergic rhinitis, commonly called hay fever, afflicts up to 30 percent of adults.

“Pollen counts and mold counts vary widely, depending on many factors, such as location, the weather, time of day, and the particular type of pollen or mold being measured,” says Sarah Peterson, M.D., Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH) Medical Group physician and board-certified allergist-immunologist in Buffalo Grove.

A pollen count is a measurement of how much pollen is in the air at a certain time in a specific location-- the higher the pollen count, the greater the frustration for allergy sufferers.

“In general, pollen counts tend to be high in the morning and again in the evening,” Dr. Peterson says. “They are highest on warm, dry, windy days and are at their lowest point after a heavy rainfall.”

Mold counts can vary even more than pollen. In the environment are hundreds of species of mold, many of them invisible or difficult to see, according to the AAAAI. When airborne, these tiny mold spores can wreak havoc, causing allergic reactions like sneezing, watery eyes, itchy or runny nose, and nasal congestion. They also can trigger asthma if they reach the lungs in susceptible people.

“Depending on the particular mold that triggers your allergic reaction, mold counts might
be at their highest point during the daytime hours or, sometimes, even in the middle of the night,” says, Dr. Peterson. “But, in general, mold counts are greatest on warm, humid days.”

The AAAAI states that allergy sufferers have three treatment options: taking medications, undergoing immunotherapy or simply trying to avoid allergens altogether. Individuals who have allergies, or suspect they might have an undiagnosed allergy, should schedule an appointment with a board-certified allergist to discuss an individualized treatment plan, Dr. Peterson advises.