FACING ALLERGIES

     Grass skirts may be fun to watch but there are other types of grass that can harm some people and are not always the best choices at Christmas.  If you are headed for Hawaii there is some advice from the Canadian Medical Association.  “Be advised that the grass in this tropical paradise pollinates year around.  Find out which plant will be pollinating in your vacation spot when you book your flight.”  Taking family members as well as one of the grandmothers to Hawaii one year, our niece had to rush the grandmother to the hospital as soon as they arrived back in Canada.  The diagnosis was difficult and the hospital was overcrowded.  This year the grandmother is happy to stay at a care home while some of the others have left for Hawaii.   

     During any high allergy season – next spring for example – one should use caution because there is a lot more allergen laden air outside, like there was in 2003 when serious forest fires added to the problem.  The Canadian Health Magazine further states, “Sorry, to tell you about convertible cars, keep windows closed and air conditioning on when travelling by car.  Avoid long-wear contact lenses.  Dust or pollen particles can become embedded in them, increasing exposure to irritants.  Daily disposable contact lenses cause less redness, grittiness and cloudiness of vision.  You can dilute some allergens with artificial tears.  Allergy eye drops may help.  Protect your eyes with sunglasses, wraparounds are good.

     Exercise indoors in high allergy seasons.  “When you are physically active outdoors, you breathe in a lot more allergen-laden air,   Keep your walks short.  Avoid ambitious excursions such as hikes and bike rides in the early morning which is peak pollen time,” says Allan Becker, one of the writers for the above mentioned magazine.  Scientists believe that allergies and asthma are different facets of the same disease due to outdoor inhaling.  One doesn’t have to give up gardening   Try to minimize some of the plants listed below for possible allergic reactions.  They may include any one of these: crabapple, cherry, dogwood, alder, ash, beech, bottlebrush flower, camphor, cedar, elm, juniper, red maple, mulberry, oak, poplar and willow.  Certain people have challenges with begonia, clematis, crocus, daffodil, daisy, geranium, gladiolus, impatiens, iris, pansy, peony, petunia, rose and tulip when in flower.  When people eat more nourishing foods our own health improves to the point where we can handle most allergies.  In addition to the entrée, we need the green salad, the baked potato and three vegetables instead of just two vegetables on our dinner plates.