As spring has already sprung, so too have many of the pollen particles that cause students and faculty alike to fall plague to the itchy, scratchy uncomfortable aspects of seasonal allergies.
"I totally have allergies," second-year College student Molly McDonald said. "They're a real pain, and I end up sniffling all day."
Some students even have problems that go beyond the run-of-the-mill sniffling and sneezing. "I have sinus infections that turn into strep throat from all the stuff in the air," second-year College student Michelle Reaves said. "It happens every spring at least twice."
What are allergies?
An allergy is a physical "response of the body to foreign material," according to Dr. Joseph Chance of Student Health.
"Allergies are the result of a release of histamine [in the body] which causes sneezing and congestion," he said.
Many outdoor allergies are caused by exposure to pollen, said Dr. Larry Borish of the University Asthma and Allergic Diseases Center.
Pollen is the "'male' plant genetic material -- it is wind-borne and blown around on its way to 'female' plant [parts]," Borish said. "The key thing is that only plants that use wind to pollinate cause allergies."
These wind-borne pollens include those found in trees and grass, Borish said.
"Plants that use bees, moths and other insects to pollinate have large sticky pollens that are never airborne so they don't cause allergies," he said. "These plants are all the bright flowering plants that use their flowers to attract insects."
Springtime sniffles
According to a study compiled by the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, roughly 50 million people in the United States are estimated to suffer from allergies. Symptoms of common seasonal allergies include sneezing, a runny nose, nasal congestion, itching, eye-itching and tearing, Borish said.
"Lethargy and sluggishness" are some of the more extreme symptoms of seasonal allergies, Borish said.
Early spring allergies begin in late February or early March with tree pollen, Borish said, continuing late into the season as more trees such as oaks and elms begin to pollinate. As the summer begins, many people begin to complain of grass allergies, Borish explained.
Dealing with allergies
Because many types of pollen cannot be avoided when traveling outdoors, the prospect of remaining allergy-free can sometimes be daunting.
Borish said, however, there are some preventative measures people can take to protect themselves when enjoying springtime weather. Most people use over-the-counter antihistamines to fight seasonal allergies, Borish said.
"Since pollens cannot be avoided ... a typical approach is [the use of] antihistamines," he said. "Antihistamines are effective for mild intermittent disease; [however,] they are not very good for exposures [and] symptoms that persist for more than a few days."
Other sufferers rely on steroidal nasal sprays to combat congestion, Borish said. According to the Mayo Clinic Web site, these sprays work as corticosteroids -- rather than blocking histamine, they focus on preventing and treating inflammation brought about by allergies. These sprays are available with a prescription only, and contrary to popular belief, they are not addictive.
In some cases the use of longer-lasting "allergy shots," known as immunotherapy, might be recommended by a doctor to relieve chronic suffering, Borish added.
"It is very effective for most seasonal allergies -- typically an 80 percent improvement, for example, with grass and ragweed," he said. "Immunotherapy is generally reserved for people with the commitment, either because nasal steroids haven't worked or they'd rather do three to five years of shots rather than a lifetime of nasal steroids."
Earthy alternatives
Though numerous remedies for allergy symptoms can be found in your local drugstore, many people have begun to turn to homeopathic and herbal treatments for seasonal allergies, said Blossom Hester, supplement and bodycare department assistant manager at Rebecca's Natural Food.
"More people are trying out natural remedies," Hester said. "Especially the young who are more open."
Using saline sprays and drips to clear out nasal passages when feeling the effects of allergies can often be helpful, Hester said.
"Sinus [sprays] rinse pollen away and keep tissues healthy," Hester said.
Stinging nettles, in both the form of a capsule supplement and tea are also useful tools because they work as natural antihistamines.
Quercetin, found in the vitamin C family, is a naturally occurring flavonoid -- a plant pigment -- that causes an anti-inflammatory effect without drowsiness, Hester said.
"Quercetin can be found in many foods," Hester said. "Apples and onions are rich in quercetin."
Unfortunately, allergies come around the same time every year. Luckily, there are preventative measures and treatments that ensure misery does not have to accompany them.
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