Allergy Attack!

            I’m sick. My nose is runny, my sinuses are congested, my throat hurts from coughing and sneezing, my eyes water every now and again for no apparent reason, and I’ve got a slight headache. Over the last three years I’ve noticed that these same symptoms pop up right around spring time. Could just be a common cold, but it could also be that I’m suffering from some nasty seasonal allergies.

            When someone first suggested to me a few years ago that I might be prone to reacting to the pollen in the air, I merely scoffed and blew my nose again. I had never had allergies before, and it seemed impossible for a person to acquire allergies if he or she had never had them before. Even now, I really don’t know whether I’ve got allergies or a cold, but the fact is that a person can indeed get allergies as he or she ages. It’s just the body’s way of reminding us of how we’re not as invincible as we’d like to think we are.

            Right now my symptoms don’t warrant a visit to an allergist. At least I don’t think so (I’m sure an allergist would highly recommend it). I can handle a little stuffiness and a small headache. The irritation in my throat and my red, raw nose are annoying, but I’d rather buy a $2 box of Kleenex and a $4 bottle of Chloraseptic than spend a $25 co-pay at the allergy clinic. Perhaps if the symptoms become worse in the coming years, I’ll break down and seek professional medical help. Until then, though, my voice and nose will just have to sound like a 7^th grade brass band once a year.

            The worst thing about seasonal allergies it that the air outside has become a major irritant. It’s a little ironic, considering most people associate “outside” with “fresh air.” I’d probably feel a lot better if I shut myself indoors with an air filter and some stinging nettle tea (despite its terrible origins, it’s quite effective against allergic reactions), but I love to hike and enjoy the mountains on a cool, spring morning. One compromise I’ve found is wearing a nose and mouth mask. At the risk of looking like a paranoid hypochondriac, I can considerably cut down the amount of pollen and other irritants that enter my lungs. Another option that doesn’t include a mask is to hike around in the barren desert, but that sounds like no fun.

            If you’re prone to seasonal allergies, there’s virtually nothing you can do this time of year to completely prevent the onslaught of pollen. Male trees will not stop trying to reproduce just because you keep sneezing. There are a few things you can try in order to reduce the effects of the nastiness in the air, such as increasing the vitamin C and essential fatty acids in your diet, washing your bedding often, and avoiding yard work. I know, Iknow. You were really looking forward to ripping up all the weeds in your garden, raking all the leftover leaves and sticks from last fall, and mowing the lawn. Guess your 13-year-old son or daughter will have to take one for the team and do it all for you. The best thing you can do for yourself is allow your body to rest and prevent the invasive pollen granules from entering your dojo. Good luck with your allergies this year and here’s to hoping you don’t sneeze your brain out!