Allergies reach their optimum level this season

Almost 15 to 30 percent of the entire population has already fallen prey to some kind of allergy. Hay fever, sniffling and sneezing being the common allergies faced by many.

A mix of snowy winter, warmth and rain triggered allergy
The allergy season this year is a result of a snowy winter and simultaneous warmth, followed by sudden frequent rain spells which further triggered illnesses like fever, cold and headache.

“During a typical allergy season, plants begin to pollinate over the course of several months”, said Estelle Levetin, chair of the University of Tulsa's department of biological science and head of the aerobiology committee for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

“But record snowfalls delayed the start of spring. Then warm weather suddenly arrived, triggering many plants to pollinate all at once”, Levetin said. As a result, more people are suffering from allergies - even people who might not have had it so bad before.

Trees, the main culprits
Tress, specifically the oak and maple trees, are the major culprits behind the allergies as they are the biggest pollinators.

Grass pollen, another big pollinator, exists till the garden’s dry, basically around the first week of June.

In cases where medicines are ineffective, immunotherapy acts as a good vaccine to prevent the allergies.

"But again, this has been a particularly wet spring," Mauriello said, "and if it's particularly wet like this, it could linger through June."

Though rain is generally helpful in cleansing the pollen air, it also boosts the plant’s growth, making the sneezing cycle to continue.

Mold and Ragweed are other plants responsible for the sudden allergies.

Word of advice
Medicines having antihistamines are effective at treating these allergies, advice researchers.

"When the pollen meets up with the IGE antibodies, histamine is released by histamine-containing cells," said Norman, , who helped found the Maryland Chapter of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Histamine is what causes the swelling, itching and dilation of the blood vessels. Antihistamines block the body's response to histamine, Norman said.

Singulair, a chemical that blocks allergic reactions and swelling, too can be used.

In cases where medicines are ineffective, immunotherapy acts as a good vaccine to prevent the allergies.

Keeping the windows shut and staying indoors as far as possible is advised.