‘Tis the season for sneezin’
Students visiting Health Center, specialists to cope with flaring seasonal allergies

By Chrissy Braden
Staff Reporter

As students renew memberships to tanning salons and gyms to get their bodies in top condition for Spring Break, they are also visiting the Health Center and local allergists to ease their suffering from spring allergies.

Cedar and elm pollen levels are in the high to medium range this week, which can affect most people who suffer from seasonal pollen types, according to the Allergy Alert Web site (www.pollen.com).

Oak, elm, maple, alder, birch and cottonwood trees affect allergies according to the Hoechst Marion Roussel, Inc.’s pamphlet “Important Information About Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis.” The pamphlet also said Bermuda, Timothy and Johnson grasses, faintly colored and scented flowers and weeds such as Ragweed and Queen Anne’s lace can evoke allergies.

Robert Sulak, assistant director of landscape and grounds, TCU has all of these plants except alder and birch trees and Timothy grass on campus.

According to the pamphlet, pollen levels are highest during season changes when plants are reproducing. Pollen induced symptoms, often referred to as hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis, include itchy, watery eyes, postnasal drip and rhinitis.

According to the pamphlet, rhinitis is an inflammation of mucous membranes lining the nose, which causes itching, frequent sneezing and nasal discharge.

Adrienne Burden, a freshman premajor, said her allergies have been bothering her for about a week.

“I have a runny nose, and I sneeze a lot,” Burden said.

Burden said these allergies usually last until summer begins. She said mold, oak and dust affect her the most.

According to the pamphlet, over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines, which are medications that counteract the allergic response, are used to ease the symptoms.

The pamphlet stated antihistamines block the action of histamine, a substance that is released by certain cells when an allergen enters the body.

Suzanne Williams, a nurse in the Health Center, said more students come in this time of year suffering from allergies.

“We can only give allergy shots to students who have seen outside allergists,” Williams said. “But doctors prescribe all kinds of medications for seasonal allergies.”

Williams said the Health Center gives about 1,500 allergy shots a year.

Dr. Burton Schwartz, a doctor at the Health Center, said the doctor and patient must work together to figure out what is triggering an allergy. After they pinpoint the cause of the allergy, they can work on medications or a way to control the environment to eliminate symptoms.

Schwartz said most students could distinguish an allergy from being sick.

“Allergy symptoms are usually just annoying,” Schwartz said.

Gabby Pryor, the pharmacy manager at Walgreen’s on Forest Hill Drive, said the pharmacy sees a 200 percent increase in allergy prescriptions being filled from October to December and mid-March.

“We see a lot more people when the seasons change,” Pryor said. “We mostly fill prescriptions for Allegra, Claritin and Zyrtec, and a lot of people are getting Benedryl.”

According to the pamphlet, aside from medications, the affects of seasonal allergies can be reduced by limiting outside exercising to late in the day or after a heavy rain, showering or washing clothes immediately after being outdoors and keeping one’s immune system healthy by eating right, getting enough restful sleep and minimizing stress.

Schwartz said allergies will not go away, but students can avoid situations like smoke-filled environments or being around pets that can trigger the allergy.

“Allergies cannot be cured,” Schwartz said. “But they can be controlled if you make the effort.”

Chrissy Braden
l.c.braden@student.tcu.edu