For many, spring in Durham means a cloudless blue sky, warm weather and longer days. Yet, for some Duke students, spring brings more than visually pleasing sundresses; it also comes with olfactory displeasing coats of pollen. And where there's pollen, there are allergies.
"For me, there are two sides to spring," said Trinity sophomore Evelyn Kow, explaining that while she appreciates the warm weather, the itchy and watery eyes are definitely not a plus.
Allergies are quite common-about every one in five Americans has hay fever. This allergic reaction appears to be genetic, but can be brought out by environmental factors. North Carolina is an especially bad area for allergies due to the high level of moisture, said Dr. Peter Bressler, associate professor of rheumatology and immunology.
To alleviate allergy symptoms, Student Health distributes allergy shots five times a week. "There's an increase in calling... once the weather gets suddenly warm," said allergy nurse Madeline Schoberl. The problem develops when changing temperatures trigger the grasses and trees to release their pollen.
"An allergy is an immune response to what the body perceives as foreign," explained Bressler, adding that individuals can be allergic to almost anything, from trees and weeds to dust and cats.
An allergic response starts with an IGE antibody that recognizes an allergen, an object foreign to the immune system, and binds to it. This causes cells to release chemicals, among them a small molecule histamine, which initiate the body's immune response-including watery eyes and a runny nose.
Jean Hanson, assistant director of student health, explained that there are several steps available to alleviate allergies. For mild symptoms, over-the-counter drugs like Benadryl can suffice, while for more serious symptoms, such as asthma attacks, there are various inhalers available. In addition, individuals can also receive a shot of serum composed of those substances responsible for the allergic reaction. The shots can eventually minimize the allergies to a point where they are not much of a bother.
Although Hanson pointed out that there is not much that can be done for simple spring sniffles beyond taking over-the-counter drugs, both Kow and Kristin Tepas, a graduate student in the Nicholas School of the Environment, said their allergy shots and prescription medications leave them feeling fine.
There are currently around 150 allergy patients registered at Student Health. "Some are seen as often as three times a week, some as infrequently as once a month," said Hanson.
Yet sniffles of the nose do not seem to interfere much with matters of the heart. Kow, whose seasonal asthma worsened after she came to North Carolina from New York, said she would still choose Duke, despite the weather. Tepas said she still does a lot of fieldwork, despite her allergies. As she said, "I'm allergic to what I love."
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