Hay fever NewsLetter

Our newsletter this week will be focusing on Hay fever

Contents

1. What is hay fever?
2. Pollen distributors.
3. Ways to control hay fever.

1. What is Hay fever?
   
   Hay Fever occurs when someone is allergic to pollen(allergen), which in turn makes you allergic or sensitive to grass,weed ,etc.
   
   Over 26 million people suffer from hay fever.

   Hay Fever Seasons
   Every season the type of pollen allergy you have is different.
   
   

2. Pollen distributors.
   
   According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and immunology the following causes pollen.
   
   

   Tree pollens
   

   1. Ulmaceae
      1. American elm (Ulmus americana)
   2. Cupressaceae
      1. Mountain cedar (Juniperus ashei)
   3. Betulaceae
      1. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera)
      2. Red alder (Alnus rubra) Fagaceae
      3. White oak (Quercus alba)
      4. Red oak (Quercus rubra)
   4. Aceraceae
      1. Box elder (Acer negundo)
   5. Oleaceae
      1. White ash (Fraxinus americana)
      2. Olive (Olea europaea)
   6. Salicaciae
      1. Cottonwood, East.(Populus deltoides)
   7. Moraceae
      1. Mulberry (Morus rubra)
   8. Juglandaceae
      1. Pecan (Carya illinoensis)
      2. Black walnut (Juglans nigra)
   9. Platanaceae
      1. Sycamore (Plantanus occidentalis)

   Grass pollens

1. Johnson (Holcus halepensis)
2. Bahia (Paspalum notatum)
   
   

ALREADY CHARACTERIZED GRASS ALLERGENS:

1. Bermuda (Cynodon dactylon)*
2. Orchard (Dactylis glomerata)*
3. Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis) *
4. Timothy (Phleum pratense)*
5. Rye (Lolium perenne)*
6. Meadow fescue (Festuca elatior)*
7. Red top (Agrostis alba)*
8. Sweet vernal (Anthoxanthum odoratum)*

* standardized allergen extracts are commercially available

Weed pollens

Composite family

1. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
2. Short ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)* Chenopod-amaranth

Chenopod (mostly in Western USA)

1. Russian thistle (Salsola kali)
2. Burning bush, summer cypress (Kochia scoparia)
3. Lamb's quarter (Chenopodium album)
   
   
   
   Amaranth
   

1. Red root pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus)
2. Dock-knotweed family (Buckwheat family)
3. Red sorrel (Rumex acetosella)
   
   
   Plantaginaceae
   

1. Narrow-leafed plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
   
   

Indoor aeroallergens

1. Dog epithelium (Canis familiaris)
2. German cockroach (Blattella germanica)
3. American cockroach (Periplaneta americana)
4. Cat epithelium (Felis domesticus)*
5. House dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae* and
   Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus*)

Molds

Previous attempts at producing mold extracts with reliable allergenic potency have been unsuccessful. Despite this limitation, the committee has identified the following list of Deuteromycetes as the most clinically relevant molds to be considered for inclusion (if clinically appropriate) in allergen immunotherapy vaccines. The committee vigorously supports ongoing efforts to characterize mold allergens that will result in standardized commercial mold extracts.

1. Alternaria alternata
2. Cladosporium herbarum
3. Cladosporium cladosporioides
4. Penicillium chrysogenum
5. Aspergillus fumigatus
6. Epicoccum nigrum
7. Helminthosporium solani

3. Ways to Control Hay Fever.

The best way cure for Hay Fever is prevention.
Try to avoid contact with pollen producing plants and trees.

Drink lots of cool water.

Put a cool wet cloth on your forehead when you have an attack.

In cases of serious hay fever try to avoid wheat,dairy products and fruit juice.


Hay Fever and Sinusitis

Hay Fever is a major cause of sinusitis. It can cause chronic sinusitis.
It also causes you sinuses to reoccur.