Hay fever blues
2009-11-26
SPRING is still in the air, but so is the sound of sneezing. For thousands of hay fever sufferers, this time of the year is no fun, with constant sneezing, sniffling, runny eyes and nose, and itchy skin. And according to reports, the Paarl Valley has one of the highest pollen counts in the country. This is also aggravated by the constant spraying of pesticides in vineyards and orchards. Hay fever is caused by tiny particles of plant or animal protein which weigh so little that they drift invisibly through the air, getting deposited into the membranes of the victim’s nose, throat and eyes. This causes an allergic reaction in some people. Although these particles are harmless, it is the human body that overreacts, releasing chemical agents such as histamine to counteract the particles. Although October and November are the worst months for hay fever sufferers, their agony can continue straight through the summer months. The most common medication prescribed to these sufferers are antihistamines, but these cause drowsiness in many. Nasal sprays are another option and an interesting treatment for severe hay fever sufferers is a process called desensitisation, where increasing extracts of known allergens such as grass and pollen are injected beneath the sufferers’ skin. These are given at weekly intervals and in doing so, the sufferer becomes tolerant towards these allergens. But at the end of the day, this is the small price that they must pay for living in this magnificent valley.
More
News
|
