The Effect Spring Allergies Have on Seniors

Allergy season can be tough on everyone, especially those who live in the Midwest, causing a variety of symptoms that not only make us uncomfortable but also make us wonder why we feel the way we feel.

Peak allergy season is often even rougher for seniors, who are hit harder by the pollen and other allergens  floating through the air this time of year.

Our older loved ones often deal with medical conditions that cause respiratory difficulties as well as aches and pains, so it’s easy for physicians to dismiss their concerns when they report allergy symptoms. But allergies aren’t always a temporary seasonal inconvenience that will go away in their own  time. Untreated allergies can cause inflammation and other complications that lead to permanent chronic illness or aggravate existing conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD.)

Allergy Season in St. Louis

In the St. Louis area, three main types of allergies – grass, tree, and weed pollen – can combine to cause a nearly year-round allergy cycle, which means allergy sufferers need to be prepared in any season. Although April is by far the roughest month for allergies in Missouri, with nearly twice as many particulates floating in the air as in May (the second-highest month),a reaction could happen at almost any time of year.

Tree and weed pollens are at their peak in April while grass pollens are most prevalent in February. In a typical St. Louis allergy season, oak, cedar, pine, and hickory trees begin to distribute pollen in late winter and early spring as soon as temperatures start to warm up. Later in the spring and into summer, Bermuda, Kentucky bluegrass, rye and Timothy grasses release their pollen, causing hay fever. In the fall, ragweed takes over, and the allergy cycle continues. A single ragweed plant is capable of producing more than a billion grains of pollen!

While sniffly noses, itchy eyes and headaches are symptoms that can be common among allergies and other types of illness, how can you tell the difference between hay fever and an infection? Typically, a fever, muscle aches and a sore throat are signs you have a cold or the flu, while allergy symptoms are more closely aligned with itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and a runny nose.

Allergy Season Tips: How To Avoid Aggravating Seasonal Allergies

• Do your research. One of the most effective allergy season tips – check your local allergen forecast to help you avoid unnecessary trips outdoors when pollen is at its worst. If you must go out, be sure to wear a mask for added protection from allergy discomfort.
• Wash up. When you go out, make certain to wash your hands upon your return to get rid of pollen you may have carried in with you. It’s also a good idea to change your clothes if you go out on a high pollen day.
• Keep things clean. Dust and sweep regularly during allergy season to make sure agitating particles aren’t floating around inside your home.
• Keep pollen outside. Sometimes folks feel the urge to open their windows when spring temperatures are pleasant. But that lets allergens inside your house. It’s best to keep your windows closed and turn the air conditioning on to filter out the offending particles.
• Get plenty of vitamin C. Foods high in this vitamin benefit by helping to fight inflammation.
• Use a dehumidifier. Mold is a major contributor to seasonal allergies. Prevent its growth by keeping the humidity inside your home to 50 percent or less.

Allergies in Seniors

Don’t be confused if your senior loved one suddenly has allergy symptoms without previously experiencing them. As our immune systems age, the way they react or tolerate pollen may change, causing things that were barely noticeable when we were younger to become a more significant problem as our bodies age.

While there are many things that can be done to mitigate the discomfort and inconvenience of allergy symptoms, it’s important to bring the issues to the attention of their physician. Not only is it important to manage allergies to ensure that they don’t develop into or worsen a chronic condition, it’s also vital to let their doctor know because some medications can aggravate allergy discomfort.

It is additionally important to be aware of the fact that most allergy medications are not designed to be taken by people who are 65 years of age or older. Antihistamines can be problematic for people who suffer from high blood pressure and over the counter allergy treatments can cause severe side effects when combined with some medications used to treat chronic illnesses most associated with seniors. So, always consult a doctor before you or a loved one takes any allergy medication.

There’s no cure for allergies, and there is no avoiding them if you live in the Midwest. But by researching allergy season tips, and with the help of a physician, they can be well managed. Good luck and stay healthy!

Get more tips for staying well year-round on Bethesda’s Health and Wellness blog!