Special Lead Story

Watery eyes. A sniffley nose. A scratchy throat. These are the common symptoms of seasonal allergies that will effect an estimated 35 million Americans this year, according to the Washington State University College of Nursing website.
As pollen fills the Pullman air, the allergy season is upon us. According to the website Pollen.com, Pullman is home to a variety of grasses, nettle and alder that can cause allergic reactions for many people.

Pollen levels in Pullman as measured by Pollen.com are predicted to be 5.8 on Saturday. On a twelve-point rating system, this is in the scale’s “medium” range. Fortunately for allergy sufferers, the month of May was the peak of pollen season with a high point of 9.1 on May 9.

Alders are the primary reason people suffer from seasonal allergies. They’re described by Pollen.com as deciduous trees or large shrubs with a flower that blooms around April. The wind then blows the flowers into the air and this is what creates a majority of the pollen that causes allergic reactions.

There are a variety of actions one can take to reduce allergic reactions. WSU Environmental allergies expert, Debra Franck recommends over-the-counter non-drowsy allergy medication for people who may be afflicted. Another website, Healthvideo.com recommends the use of pollen masks when doing work around the yard, changing air filters in the home and keeping allergens out of the house by keeping doors and windows shut. The WSU College of Nursing website suggests washing bedding frequently, vacuuming the house often and washing runny noses out with a distilled water, salt and baking soda mixture.

One source, from the WSU College of Nursing website claims that chocolate, corn, dairy, sugar and wheat can overload the immune system and make one more sensitive to other allergens. They recommend reducing these foods in the diet. However, Franck negated this assertion and maintains that those foods do not in fact have a direct effect on allergies.

In a study from Texas Tech published last May, allergies were depicted as a good thing. According to Newser.com, allergy sufferers have a significantly lower risk of developing many types of cancer. The study, originally taken from the New York Post, proposes that allergies are the result of an advanced immune system that prevents cancer-causing toxins to enter the body in the first place. Dr. Zuber Mulla, who led the study said, "More work is still needed, but the numbers show allergy is a statistically significant protective factor."

Here in Pullman, long-time resident Jessica Cofler recalled particularly difficult experiences with allergies, “When I was a teenager I was sometimes unable to start the day because it was just so crazy. I was always sneezing…it was very miserably affecting my life. I would sneeze and sneeze and sneeze and I just could not help it, sneezing 20 times in a row.” Since then, she said, she has gone to an allergy specialist who reduced her allergic reactions with a series of shots. The WSU College of Nursing recommends such visits to receive the appropriate medicinal help.