By Tatenda Gapa

WINDY conditions stir dust, pollen and this may activate allergies.
In Zimbabwe the month of August is windier than the others.
Most of the things people are allergic to are airborne.
Windy conditions spark allergies caused by some plants that start to bloom during the month of August.
Doctors say most people ignore a sneeze or cough, thinking it’s nothing, but if they experience itching along with it, they probably have allergies.
An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a substance that is harmless to most people.
But for those with an allergy, the body’s immune system treats the substance (called an allergen) as an invader and overreacts, causing symptoms that can range from annoying to serious or life threatening conditions.
According to medical practitioners, the body in an attempt to protect itself, the immune system of the allergic person produces antibodies.
Those antibodies then cause mast cells and basophils (allergy cells in the body) to release chemicals (including histamine) into the bloodstream to defend against the allergen ‘invader’.
It’s the release of these chemicals that causes allergic reactions, affecting a person’s eyes, nose, throat, lungs, skin, or gastrointestinal tract as the body attempts to rid itself of the invading allergen.
Allergies can be seasonal (happening only at certain times of the year, like when pollen counts are high) or can occur any time someone comes in contact with an allergen.
During the windy season in Zimbabwe tiny particles known as pollen are released from trees, grasses and weeds.
Most people know pollen allergy as hay fever or rose fever.
Trees, weeds, and grasses release these tiny particles into the air to fertilise other plants.
Pollen allergies are seasonal, and the type of pollen someone is allergic to determines when symptoms will occur.
Pollen is transported by air currents and enters human noses and throats, triggering an allergic reaction named allergic rhinitis, also known as Pollen Allergy.
In an allergic reaction, the body’s immune system generates a type of antibody called immunoglobulin ige.
The antibody developed is specific for each type of pollen.
The main treatments for allergic rhinitis are avoiding allergens, managing symptoms with medicine and other home treatment, and, in some cases, getting allergy shots (immunotherapy)
Controlling your contact with allergens and reducing your symptoms may also make it less likely you will develop complications such as sinusitis.
You do this by:
Controlling dust and dust mites. For example, dust regularly and wash bed linens in hot water.
Controlling animal dander and other pet allergens. One way to do this is to restrict pets to certain areas of your home.
Controlling indoor moulds. Clean bathtubs and showers monthly.
Avoiding outdoor pollens. This includes staying inside while pollen counts are high.
By doing this, you may be able to reduce your allergy symptoms and manage them without medicine or with fewer medicines.
You may need to clean your house often to get rid of dust.
Or you may need to stay indoors when pollen counts are high.
People experience many different symptoms, some include the following:
l Sneezing accompanied with a runny or clogged nose
l Coughing and postnasal drip
l Itchy eyes, nose and throat
l Allergic shiners (dark circles under eyes caused by augmented blood flow near the sinuses)
l The ‘allergic salute’ (in a child, persistent upward rubbing of the nose that causes a crease mark on the nose)
l Watering eyes
l Conjunctivitis (an inflammation of the membrane that lines the eyelids, causing red rimmed, swollen eyes, and crusting of the eyelids)
Vaccination against influenza, adenoviruses, measles, rubella, streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza, diphtheria, bacillus anthraces, and pertussis may even help prevent allergic rhinitis, and possible complication of asthma may help in reducing the chances of being affected by allergic rhinitis. – https://www.webmd.com/allergies