North Shore Eye Care : Allergy season is upon us and this year is slated to be one of the worst

Does the thought of spring make your eyes itch, your chest tighten and your nose run well then join the club. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, close to 50 million Americans are effected by seasonal allergies every year. But don't panic just yet or stockpile on tissues, nasal sprays and over the counter anti-histamines. There are fantastic traditional and natural remedies to tackle your worst symptoms. Let’s review, outdoor allergies are usually triggered by pollen from grass, weeds, and trees, as well as from mold. The pollen-heavy seasons are usually mid to late spring (tree pollen), late spring to summer (grass pollen) and late summer (weed pollen, mainly ragweed). However, these can vary depending on which area of the country you live in, for example there will be a higher concentration in suburban areas of long island as opposed to urban areas like Brooklyn, NY. Pet dander can also cause both outdoor and indoor allergies year-round. Indoor allergies are caused by dust mites, cockroaches and mold can be very intense. Seasonal changes can increase and decrease the severity of the attack.  Food allergies can also occur when the immune system has an abnormal response to a particular food. The most common that we are aware of are milk, soy, wheat, seafood, nuts, and eggs, therefore you need to be careful to avoid the individual foods and products that contain the allergens. It is a huge advantage having  hardwood floors rather than carpet, which is an allergen recipe for disaster and difficult to clean. Humidity 40 percent or higher can promote mold growth. One should avoid using feather pillows and down comforters, and put airtight encasements on your box spring, mattress, and pillows. The use of a freestanding air purifier with a HEPA air filter in most homes can make a significant difference.  Research has clearly proven that they reduce pet-allergen levels and improving breathing symptoms such as coughing and wheezing. In the end if symptoms persist it is always a prudent choice to be evaluated by an allergy specialist especially an eye doctor if there is significant ocular involvement. Our eye doctors ( Dr Sid Martin, Dr Jeff Martin, Dr Larry Zweibel, and  Dr John Mauro) at North Shore Eye Care see and treat many patients with a variety of allergic disease on a daily basis.