Allergy Sufferers Contend with Longer Allergy Season:
The 2011 allergy season is expected to be 27 days longer in northernmost parts of North America, adding almost a month of suffering to the typical pollen allergy season of March-October, according to a study published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The longer allergy season could be particularly rough on eye allergy sufferers. Ocular allergies affect one in every five individuals and it is estimated that 50 percent of individuals with seasonal and indoor allergies also experience some degree of ocular allergy. Allergies result when the immune system mistakes pollens for harmful substances and then responds by releasing chemicals including histamines. Histamines are responsible for our allergy symptoms. The most common symptoms of ocular allergy are a red, itchy, watery eye.
Smart allergy season strategies include:
· Avoidance of allergens if possible by limiting outside exposure: Peak pollen hours are between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.
· Thorough washing of hands to remove any outdoor irritants
· Reduce spreading of allergens by removing or washing outside clothes and shoes
· Use of anti-allergy eye drops such as Patanol (and now daily dosing Pataday) to control symptoms
· Switch to daily disposable contact lenses to reduce exposure of irritant buildup.
See your Optometrist! Dr.j