By Steven King
Columnist
Spring is finally here in full force. Say goodbye to the days of freezing temperatures and hello to actually being able to go outside and enjoy the nature around campus. However, for people who experience seasonal allergies, that may still be a tough feat.
As the days progress, all the trees and plants around campus start producing allergens, which can result in several annoying symptoms like sneezing, coughing and congestion that can keep you from enjoying these warmer months. Lions’ EMS has a few tips about how you can deal with your allergies without having to trade away your ability to have a good time outdoors.
First, it’s important to understand what exactly is causing you to have these nasty symptoms. Certain pollens have the ability to make your day pretty terrible. Pollen is the stuff that plants use to fertilize other plants. Pollens are designed to be small and light, which makes it easier for them to travel with the wind. When pollen enters the body, your immune system treats the substance as a dangerous threat and responds to it, despite the fact that pollen is generally harmless. This response from the immune system is the cause of symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, coughing and itchy throat.
One suggested way to cope with your allergies is to avoid exposure to allergens, although that can be pretty difficult, especially when you are rushing to class, going to your next club meeting or playing a sport. The best thing to do is to be prepared. Find out which days are going to be particularly bad for people with allergies so that you know in advance. There are various websites, such as accuweather.com, which can warn you about the allergen condition outside in your area. Using these resources can help you plan ahead for a particularly bad day.
In order to treat allergies, get an over-the-counter antihistamine. Over-the-counter eye drops and decongestants are also very helpful in dealing with symptoms. Through a combination of knowing which days allergens might be worse and having the right medication, you can alleviate your symptoms.
Overall, having allergies can really make spring time difficult to enjoy. Having these symptoms makes it hard to enjoy the warmer temperatures and stay focused during classes. The symptoms of seasonal allergies, however, can be dealt with. By making sure you know whether or not the pollen in our area will be bad, you can prepare yourself by getting the proper medication to help deal with symptoms. Everyone reacts differently to allergens, but if you know that you have suffered from allergies in the past, take the proper steps to make sure these warmer days are not ruined.
