The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology claims that over 60 million people in America suffer from allergic rhinitis (irritation of the nose). When the spring arrives, pollen makes life miserable for allergy sufferers.
These allergies cause visual and oral difficulties. Oral allergies from eating fruit are exacerbated during the high-pollen season. Marshall Plaut of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases explains that "Oral allergy syndrome" occurs due to cross reactivity between the proteins in certain fruits and the proteins within pollen. This is why allergy sufferers get hives and other similar conditions when they eat particular kinds of fruit.
When people with allergies have watery eyes, it's usually the result of breathing in the pollen that covers the ground during springtime. Chemicals are released in the nose causing sneezing, as well as itchy and watery eyes according to Karl von Tiehl of the Cincinnati Childrens hospital. Global warming may contribute to this problem, with the American Academy blaming this phenomenon for an increase in the length of pollen seasons.
People with seasonal allergies need not suffer in silence. For watery eyes, there are drops available that are effective at removing redness and the itchy feeling. With diseases like glaucoma a possibility from overuse, von Tiehl recommends the prudent use of eye drops, only using them for a short time. If the allergy is so bad as to adversely affect your quality of life, ignore over-the-counter medications and immediately visit your physician for treatment and advice.
If you are one of the millions of Americans suffering from allergies, dont hesitate to take action when dealing with the problem. Immunotherapy, otherwise known as allergy shots, is available and is one of the best seasonal allergy treatments.
