But this year was very different for Mr. G., and he knew it on the first day of allergy season. First, when he arrived at work after his customary walk through the park, he could not stop sneezing. His eyes were red, itchy, burning, and tearing, and by the time he was able to stop blowing his nose, his sides were sore. His boss suggested that he go home for the day to "take care of himself." So Mr. G. headed over to the pharmacy where he bought some cold-allergy pills, and the next morning he was in fact worse. In addition to his runny nose and itchy eyes, he now had chest congestion and couldn't breathe comfortably. He even noticed funny, high-pitched accordion noises in his chest. Finally, he went to his physician, who informed him that he did not have a bad cold, but in fact was having a serious seasonal allergy attack, and referred him to an allergist. That's when I met Mr. G.
What are Seasonal Allergies?
Plants reproduce by releasing millions of pollen spores that travel to other plants. . Some plants have beautiful, scented flowers that attract insects that will spread the pollen around as they move from flower to flower. Other plants produce ugly, unscented flowers that do not attract insects; instead, these plants rely on the wind for pollen movement. When plant pollen bursts into the air, it is inhaled by humans and animals. If you are one of the 40 million Americans who have the genetic tendency to be allergic, then this pollen is not merely flower dust, but the cause of major illness.
