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Allergy myths versus reality
Myth: Beautiftil flower* cause springtime allergies.
Dr. Jyothi Gndde explained that many people mistakenly believe the same springtime blooms that bring joy to our winter-weary eyes also bring tears and allergy eyes. “If you see flowers and they are pretty and colorful, that is to attract the bees. That pollen is heavy and it sticks to the bee ," it doesn't float around in the air, Gadde explained.
The real offenders are actually tiny flowers that escape our notice, like oak trees and grass. These plants have to send out massive amounts of pollen, just hoping some of it will land in the right place. It’s a very inefficient and wasteful way to reproduce, and the end result is the thick film of tree pollen we often find covering our cars at this time of year. But the pollen on the car only represents a small percentage of the particles that are still floating around in the air, just waiting to find a way into our noses.
Myth: Allergies are only seasonal.
Gadde said many people believe allergies only act up in the warm months, and that year-round symptoms must be the result of sinus trouble. In our region, she said, the pollen season lasts from February through October, and mold is a pervasive problem for most of the rest of the year. Also, indoor allergies (dust mites, cat dander and roaches) linger year-round.
Myth: Asthma and allergies are different.
Gadde said that 30 to 40 percent of people with nasal allergies will have lung problems. A long-term, untreated allergy can become a self-perpetuating cycle. Allergies can provoke asthma attacks, and increased exposure to allergens at home or in the office increases the risk of developing the disease.
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