London — As spring blooms, so does the suffering for millions of individuals with seasonal allergies. Taking a moment to enjoy the fragrant flowers can result in sneezing, watery eyes, and other discomforts for London resident Alex Hill.
"It's a combination of a stuffy nose, sinus headaches, even nosebleeds," he shared with CBS News while strolling through a park in the British metropolis with his dog, Roxie.
However, researchers in the United Kingdom claim to have discovered a more effective method of pinpointing the exact triggers of misery for people like Hill, with the hope of offering more practical advice than the standard pollen counts currently available.
Traditionally, hay fever sufferers have kept an eye on peak pollen count periods to help alleviate their symptoms. Yet, the authors of a study featured in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology argue that measuring allergen levels provides a more precise understanding of the substances responsible for causing watery eyes and runny noses.
Hay Fever Study Reveals Grass Allergen as Common Trigger
Recent research indicates that approximately one in four U.S. adults experiences hay fever, with grass pollen identified as the primary trigger for this condition. Scientists conducted a study to measure the levels of grass allergen (Phl p 5) over a period of time and discovered that spikes in allergen levels were more consistently linked to allergic respiratory symptoms compared to grass pollen counts. The hope is that these findings will pave the way for policy changes aimed at helping individuals better prepare to manage this challenging time of year.
Pollen carries the allergens responsible for hay fever symptoms, and its release can vary in timing and quantity.
"Being aware of when allergen levels are expected to be high can assist people in making decisions such as staying indoors when necessary, possibly taking showers upon returning home to wash off any allergens they may have encountered," explained Fuertes.
Dr. Jennifer Canizales from Imperial College London demonstrated to CBS News how researchers have been monitoring allergen levels on a small scale using specialized filters placed inside air samplers.
While no country currently tracks allergen levels due to the costs and time involved, Fuertes and the research team believe that "regular monitoring of allergen levels could enhance forecasting accuracy."
He is optimistic that their findings will prompt governments and organizations worldwide to initiate the monitoring and reporting of allergen levels. This is particularly crucial as experts have forecasted that with the ongoing rise in global temperatures, the annual suffering of individuals with allergies is expected to exacerbate.
