Oh, glorious spring. After the dark, decay of winter, the sky brightens and signs of nature’s reemergence begin. The birds are chirping. The bees are buzzing. The flowers are blooming, but you are sneezing and coughing and breaking out in hives!

The yellow-green pollen haze that infiltrates every space and lands on every surface means misery for those with seasonal allergies.

On top of that, the COVID-19 pandemic means sufferers must also contend with fear that what may appear to be seasonal allergies, might well be a highly infectious virus — so what are you to do?

We sat down with Sue Horlick, PA of WakeMed MyCare 365 to learn more about seasonal allergies, how to differentiate allergies from viruses and how to find effective treatment options, so you can enjoy the blooms.

What causes seasonal allergies?

Seasonal allergies are an immune system response to an allergen (invader) it perceives as a threat. It reacts to many types of allergens, including trees, grass, mold, dust mites and more.

The immune system will release antibodies called immunoglobulin E (igE) to protect the body. Histamine is then released from cells in response to these antibodies.

“When people get a release of histamine, they get their symptoms,” explains Sue.

Are stress and allergies linked?

You may become stressed as you see spring approaching and feel that your allergies are going to take over your life for a few weeks. Yet, Sue urges allergy sufferers to try to relax.

According to Sue, stress and allergies are interconnected. “People have an allergic reaction to stress when a hormone called cortisol releasing hormone (CRH) releases histamine. When stressed, CHR causes histamine to be released by mast cells. Those who are stressed are more likely to have a release of histamine and stronger allergic responses.

“An antihistamine could help. Vistaril medication is for stress and anxiety and works well to relax people and help block the histamine reaction.”

What are the symptoms of seasonal allergies?

• Headache/dizziness
• Stomach cramps
• Watery/itchy/red eyes
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Hives
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Post-nasal drip
• Runny nose
• Sore/scratchy throat
• Seasonal snoring
• Coughing
• Sneezing

Sue explains that allergic responses may spread across many areas. “For example, if you have an allergic reaction to a pear tree, there is cross reactivity between being allergic to a tree and being allergic to a food in the same plant species. If you’re allergic to a pear tree, you could also be allergic to peaches, plums, apples, carrots, almonds, celery and kiwi. Pears are in the birch family, so the allergen would be to birch, and your body could react to eating these foods in the way it reacts to that tree.”

How can I differentiate between a cold, COVID and allergies?

Sue says, “People who have had symptoms in a prior season will recognize the symptoms as allergies, not COVID or any other virus.

“A virus usually lasts a week (5-7 days) and goes away. An allergen will not go away as long as the body is reacting to something that is still there.

“Plus, a virus can cause fever and body aches, but not an allergic reaction.”

Is it possible to avoid airborne allergens?

While it isn’t possible to completely eliminate exposure to airborne allergens, there are some measures you can take.

Sue says, “Don’t mow the lawn. Don’t go for a jog when pollen counts are high. And wear a mask as some allergens can be filtered in this way.”

While there are limited measures a person can take to avoid airborne allergens, Sue cautions you to stay away from serious allergens as much as possible.

“Avoid foods that you’re allergic to because eating them could cause anaphylaxis. Severe allergies require a person to carry an epinephrine (epi) pen at all times.”

What medications and natural remedies do you suggest I try?

For over-the-counter medications —

You can try H1 blocker antihistamines, such as Benadryl, Zyrtec and Claritin. Nasal medications, such as Flonase can help if used correctly.

H2 blocker antihistamines block stomach acid and help with allergies, according to Sue. “Since histamine 1 and 2 are responsible for allergies, H1 blockers and H2 blockers, such as Pepcid can help keep away allergies.”

For natural remedies —

High-dose Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help the immune system stop reacting.

Honey available in the region in which you live can be acquired from a beekeeper. According to Sue, “Some say that eating it throughout the year helps you to get the pollen that you’re allergic to in a slow-release format.”

Probiotics help the immune system react better to protect the body from allergens.

Sue says, “Healthy gut and immune system strength are extremely important in fighting allergies and are involved in your biometric system.”

Why do people sometimes suddenly stop or start experiencing allergies?

For sudden onset allergies, Sue notes, “It takes about three years of living in an environment before your allergies begin. The body may be building more antibodies to what is potentially an allergen and in the third season the body is more likely to react.”

For allergies that eventually go away, Sue says, “There are many reasons why you may cease to have an allergic reaction. It could be that you weren’t allergic and had something that mimicked it. You could also be taking a drug or using a natural remedy that blocks histamine, so now you don’t react as much. And, in rare cases, you may have simply grown out of it.”

When should I see a doctor for seasonal allergies?

Sue explains, “When it is affecting your daily life, you should see a doctor. In an emergency situation in which you are experiencing anaphylaxis, you should see a doctor immediately.”

Primary care providers can help with medications. Allergists can perform skin tests and administer injections that introduce low doses of the allergen into the body over time. This helps the immune system build more antibodies to fight off the antigens.

If you are suffering with allergies without much relief, make an appointment with your provider or schedule an appointment or do a walk-in at one of our WakeMed MyCare 365 locations.

In addition to being open every day of the year, WakeMed MyCare 365 offers round the clock primary and urgent care both in person via walk-in or appointment as well as via video visits. So, when you don’t feel well or have an urgent need, you can get the care you want — at any time, day or night.

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About Sue Horlick, PA

A certified Physician Assistant, Sue Horlick, PA has clinical interests in women’s health, headache management, GI issues and nutrition. She completed her bachelor’s in clinical nutrition at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York, and attended the physician assistant program at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Sue brings over two decades of urgent care and family medicine experience to WakeMed and uses her extensive knowledge to provide expert care to her patients.

Having worked in both urgent care and family practice, Sue believes in treating patients more holistically because she sees acute and chronic issues. Sue focuses on forming close relationships with her patients to give them attentive, personalized care at every appointment. She sees patients at WakeMed MyCare 365 in Wake Forest on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

 

Disclaimer: The advice of individual medical providers serves as guidance from the specific provider and is not intended to establish standards of clinical practice or rules of law for WakeMed Health and Hospitals.