Vital - distributed monthly within the Detroit Free Press & The Detroit News. Also available free in hundreds of local racks

« Articles

Vital Guide to Five Common Allergens

Ragweed

What it is
The pollen most responsible for latesummer and fall hay fever

Peak season
Mid-August to October

Symptoms
Itchy eyes, nose, or throat; nasal congestion; runny nose; watery eyes; chest congestion; wheezing

Avoidance
When taking late-summer vacations, consider places without much pollen, such as beaches. Stay inside on windy days. Use an air conditioner and a highefficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.

Pollen

What it is
The tiny granules necessary for plant fertilization. Those from large, bright flowers, whose pollen is usually carried between plants by insects, don’t trigger allergies as often as pollen from trees.

Peak season
Tree season, mid- to late March, and grass season from May through June. Summer weeds pollinate around July 4.

Symptoms
Itchy eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, post-nasal drip with coughing

Avoidance
Keep windows shut, shower after mowing grass, and minimize outdoor activity between 5 and 10 a.m., when pollen usually is emitted.

Mold

What it is
A plant that makes spores, rather than seeds, that float through the air and can trigger allergies

Peak season
July to late summer. Mold is affected by weather conditions; frost typically reduces mold, while the wetness of spring increases it. The decomposition of fall leaves also produces mold.

Symptoms
Sneezing, stuffy or runny nose; itchy eyes, nose and throat; trouble sleeping

Avoidance
Stay inside when humidity is high. Don’t rake leaves, and avoid freshly mowed grass.

Dust mites

What it is
A microscopic bug that thrives in households; its waste products are the source of allergies

Peak season
Dust mites proliferate in high humidity, but thrive all year.

Symptoms
Upper respiratory symptoms and skin irritation

Avoidance
Cover mattresses with plastic, wash curtains often, avoid wall-towall carpeting and use a dehumidifier in the home.

Pet dander

What it is
Skin flakes shed from an animal’s skin, fur or feathers

Peak season
Year-round

Symptoms
Eye irritation, runny nose, stuffy nose, puffy eyes, sneezing, itchy nose and throat. Pet dander can trigger asthma attacks, chronic sinusitis, headaches, rashes and impaired sleep in severe cases.

Avoidance
Use HEPA air cleaners in your home. Bathe your pet weekly, which can reduce allergens as much as 84 percent. Consider pets without fur or feathers, such as fish and reptiles. (According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, there are no truly “hypoallergenic” breeds of dogs or cats, although exposure to one animal versus another may affect certain individuals differently.) Ask your allergist to test for allergies to pet dander.