April Healthy Hints
Spring has sprung! The daffodils are blooming, the birds are singing, and the students
are…sneezing! Springtime seasonal allergies have begun, which makes enjoying the great
outdoors a bit of a challenge. What exactly are seasonal allergies? What causes them? And
what can you do to relieve the symptoms? Read on….
Allergies affect up to 50 million Americans and account for an estimated 2 million missed school
days. Although allergies are often inherited, people can develop them without any family
history. Usually children will develop allergies by the age of 10 years and the severity will peak
by their early 20’s.
Allergies are a body’s defensive response to certain environmental substances, food, or insect
stings. In allergic individuals, the body sees these things (otherwise known as allergens) as
foreign, dangerous invaders and it rallies forces to fight them. When exposed to these
allergens, the body produces antibodies (just like when you are exposed to a virus) which
produce “allergy fighting cells.” These cells release a weapon called histamine to defend
against the “invader.” An inflammatory response ensues (just like swelling and redness around
an infected cut) and this response causes the symptoms you experience: the itchy, sore throat,
the stuffy, runny nose, the tightness in the lungs, the puffy, itchy watery eyes and even rashes
and gastrointestinal tract symptoms. These symptoms usually appear 5 - 10 minutes after
exposure and last about an hour. But symptoms can last longer and reappear 2 - 4 hours after
exposure.
The most common culprits in seasonal allergies include: dust mites which are around all year
long but often worse in the winter, tree pollen which runs from February to May in our area,
grass from May to June, and ragweed from August to October. Pollen counts are highest from
5:00 – 10:00 AM and on warm, breezy days. Chilly, wet days can bring some relief to the high
pollen counts.
Avoidance is a key to minimizing symptoms. Try avoiding outside play or activities until later in
the morning or afternoon, circumventing peak hours. Listen to daily weather reports for pollen
counts to plan your time outdoors. Pollen count is the amount of pollen particles in a certain area of
air during a 24 hour period. You can find the pollen count for Cranford at
https://weather.com/forecast/allergy/l/07016:4:US This website will give you the pollen counts
of trees, grass, mold and weeds in our specific area. If your family suffers from allergies keep windows
closed and use an air conditioner if possible, even in the car. If you have been outside, wash
your hands and face when coming in. Also, it will help to change and launder your clothes since
pollen remains on the fabric. Avoid drying clothes outdoors as well. Wearing sunglasses may
keep pollen from your eyes. If you are suffering from allergies, there are many medications for
treatment of the symptoms. Consult your doctor for what would be best for you and/or your
child.
If your child suffers during allergy season, feel free to contact me so we can work together to
make him or her as comfortable as possible. Also remember that students are not allowed to
self administer any medication. All medications, including over the counter eye drops or nasal
sprays, must be given to me with a doctor’s note. If your child’s allergies are so severe that you
feel he or she needs to stay in at lunchtime, a note is required.
Sometimes the allergies progress to other conditions - conjunctivitis, sinus infections and
asthma. If you or your child experiences purulent drainage from the eyes, severe headaches,
runny nose with yellow discharge, wheezing or difficulty breathing contact your doctor for
further treatment. Often, parents/guardians are concerned whether the symptoms are cold or
allergy related. Below is a quick reference to explain the differences. Of course, if you are
unsure, call your doctor for further advice.
COLD
ALLERGY
Sneezing, runny nose and cough appear one at a
time
Sneezing, runny nose and cough appear all at
once
Last 7-10 days
Persists throughout a season
Yellow mucous
Clear, watery drainage
Often a low grade fever
Rarely associated with a fever
Occurs most often during the winter
Spring and Fall
Other Business: If you alert your child’s teacher to an absence, please include me at
[email protected]
this will save you from receiving a phone call from me
regarding attendance.
Have a wonderful spring! ~ Paula O’Hara, Brookside Place School Nurse