EVERETT — If this year’s allergy season had you muttering, “This was the worst ever,” you were spot on.
The onset of grass pollen, the major summertime allergen, started three to four weeks early in mid-April and continued through July, said Dr. Jennifer Lee, a physician at The Everett Clinic who specializes in treating allergy patients.
Adding to the misery was the lack of rain, meaning there was nothing to wash the pollen out of the air.
“There was no reprieve for many weeks in a row,” Lee said. “There were a lot of patients saying, ‘This is the worst season. I haven’t felt this bad ever.’ ”
Patients complained of itchy, red, watery eyes and an itchy, runny nose. “The eyes seemed to be the main thing,” Lee said. “When it’s bad, they just cannot stand it.”
Ben Harrington, 9, was among the legion of sufferers. His symptoms, such as itchy eyes and nose, began in late February and didn’t stop until mid-June, he said.
That’s why he was laying shirtless and face down on a medical table for a series of pin pricks in his back. The cold drops he felt next contained tiny amounts of tree pollens, grasses and other potentially allergy-triggering substances. This test, commonly called a skin prick or scratch test, helps identify the things patients are allergic to.
Ben’s skin was sensitive, so it reddened a little more in reaction to the test than the average patient. The test showed his allergies include dust mites plus pollen from trees, grass and weeds. He also may be allergic to cats and dogs — bad news for a boy who wants to get a Labrador.
The early onset of pollen season meant that it ended early as well, coming near the end of July instead of lingering into August. While allergy patients may simply sigh with relief, they shouldn’t forget about what caused their troubles. This period of relative calm for allergies is a good time to both get tested and to come up with a plan for the coming season, Lee said.
“What I see happen is everybody is miserable when pollen counts are high,” Lee said. “They scramble to try to get in to see the doctor. Usually we’re so full we can’t see them in a timely fashion.”
By the time their appointment rolls around, the pollen count has gone down and they cancel their appointment. “Then the next year, they’re in the same boat again,” she said.
If patients struggle with allergies, they should make a medical appointment when they don’t have symptoms to better prepare for the next allergy season, she said. “It’s much better to have a pre-emptive plan in place, like starting medications before the grass pollen count gets really high.”
People can take simple steps to try to reduce their exposure to pollens, said Dr. Brett Buchmiller, a fellow allergy and asthma specialist at The Everett Clinic. He said he often advises patients to try to avoid outdoor morning hours when pollen counts are higher. If you do go out, change your clothes and shower when your activities are completed.
If over-the-counter antihistamines don’t provide relief, there are prescriptions that can help, including under-the-tongue pills that some patients can take instead of allergy shots.
Lee told Ben and his mom, Marielle Harrington, that the plan for his allergy relief would probably include using a nasal spray January through July, itch-reducing eye drops and antihistamines when the waves of pollen hit in the spring.
“I’m sure we can get it all controlled,” she said.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.
Learn more
More information about allergies can be found on the website of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at www.aaaai.org/home.aspx. Pollen readings are available at the Northwest Allergy and Asthma Center at www.nwasthma.com/pollen/pollen-count. Pollen monitoring has stopped for the season but will resume in late December or early January.
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