Spoonful of honey may help allergies

“Orange blossom” sounds like a song. But just as Orange Blossom Trail does not always live up to the bucolic beauty the name suggests, orange blossom time may not be the best time of year for you either. In fact, it can make you pretty miserable. If the green dust everywhere has you sneezing, you are not defenseless. The art of reducing your allergic reactions is fighting the battle against your body’s reaction to the dust and minimizing your green dust exposure.

Symptoms of orange blossom pollen allergy are runny nose with teary and swollen eyes, cough, headache and sneezing. Your immune system launches an attack on the pollen, releasing histamine and other chemicals. The lining of your nose gets inflamed, making your nose itch and secrete mucous, triggering coughing and sneezing.

A teaspoon of local (check the label!) honey a day during pollen season is said to reduce your body’s reaction. Unless you need to avoid honey for other medical reasons, it might be worth a try. You can purchase honey at the farmers market or local bee farm.

Medications for pollen allergies attempt to reduce the immune response or its effects. Antihistamine pills and sprays block histamine, the chemical your body releases as part of an allergic reaction. Decongestants attempt to dry up the congestion your body creates in response to pollen. Nasal corticosteroids sprayed into your nose reduce the inflammation of the nasal passages, but can irritate the nose and alter your sense of smell and taste. Many antihistamines and decongestants are available without a prescription; nasal corticosteroids and other treatments require a prescription.

Remember that most medications, including over-the-counter and herbal treatments, can have side effects and should be used with caution and in consultation with your health care provider. Honey can raise your blood sugar. Some antihistamines can make you drowsy. Decongestants can increase your blood pressure, worsen glaucoma, increase insomnia and make you irritable. Decongestant sprays for more than a few days can be counterproductive — your body can have a rebound reaction, creating more secretions.

You can also reduce your exposure to pollen by making your home a haven from the green dust. Keep your windows closed. Use the air conditioning with a hypoallergenic filter, even if it is not hot, to clear up the air. Damp mop the floors and dust frequently. Wash the curtains and wipe the blinds. Wash bed sheets frequently in hot water. Remove area rugs. If you have carpeting, vacuum frequently. If you can, replace rugs with terrazzo, tiles or wood laminate. If your house is older, consider having one of the local duct cleaning companies remove years of dust in the air system.

Check the pollen forecast on the local weather websites. Go outside when the pollen counts are lower, typically after a strong rain has cleared the air, when the humidity is high and when the temperature is up — the typical Florida hot, humid and hazy forecast. Pollen counts rise on those crisp clear days of cooler temperatures and low humidity.

If your allergic symptoms persist, drive you crazy or are making you sick, consult your nurse practitioner or physician. The persistent irritation and mucous production can be a perfect environment for a sinus infection to flourish. Ongoing symptoms could be signs of other problems.

If it is orange blossom time that gets you, remember it will be over soon.

Maitland resident Nancy Rudner Lugo is a nurse practitioner and president of Health Action, offering workplace health consulting and nurse coaching. Visit www.healthaction.biz