Got the sniffles? Maybe it's spring allergies

By: ALEENA LAKHANPAL

Posted: 4/30/09

As the flowers bloom and the grass turns green, many of us find ourselves sneezing and sniffling, miserable with springtime allergies. As winter draws to a close, trees, grasses and weeds start releasing pollen and spores into the air, which we then breathe in and which our bodies try to sneeze out.

Many people are born with the genes that give them increased sensitivity to allergens. However, actually developing reactions to certain allergens, like sneezing in response to pollen, depends on several other factors, such as how long and to what extent you have been exposed to the allergens.

When people without allergies breathe in pollen, they can breathe it out without any problems. However, when someone who has that gene attributed to allergies breathes in pollen, his body sees it as an invader and begins to attack the pollen by producing massive amounts of antibodies.

"You inherit the ability to become allergic, which means that from your grandparents and parents, you inherited the ability to produce too much of the protein IgE," said Peter Creticos, medical director of the Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center.

These IgE antibodies then bind to a certain type of white blood cell known as a mast cell. This bond causes the mast cells to release chemicals that produce the symptoms we so commonly complain about: watery eyes, hives, runny noses and painful sinuses.

One of those symptom-producing chemicals is histamine, which causes increased mucus secretion. You've probably heard of antihistamine drugs which combat allergy symptoms by blocking the release of histamine.

Sadly, allergy season is not only limited to spring. Many people suffer throughout fall and summer as well. It depends highly on geographic location, local plant life and other environmental factors such as pollution and temperature.

Here in Baltimore, Hopkins students find themselves sneezing because of airborne ragweed in the early fall. According to Forbes, Baltimore ranks as the 41st worst city for allergies in the U.S.

With allergies being such a widespread and long-lasting problem, researchers are investigating preventative medicines and treatments that may permanently turn off the pathways that lead to runny noses and itchy eyes.

In terms of over-the-counter drugs, one can only treat the symptoms of allergies temporarily. Allergies can be remedied in numerous ways, including bronchodilators that enlarge the airways for easier breathing, antihistamines that prevent sneezing and itchy noses and leukotriene antagonists that curb the sniffles.

In terms of prevention, if you are prescribed allergy-combating medications, it is crucial to use them consistently. "Take them every day throughout the season. If you stop them, the symptoms will come back within four to five days," Creticos said.

However, some of the most exciting progress is being made in long-term immunizations against allergies. Bits of DNA are added to an allergen to make it able to produce a greater immune response. After four to six shots of this modified allergen, the patient can generate immunity to the normal allergen for years. They are even working to develop a pill for those who don't like or are too busy for shots so that one day, the long-term prevention of springtime allergies can be done from home.

In the meantime, grab a pocket-pack of Kleenex, take your favorite antihistamine and hope the pollen count is low.