So before dismissing your burning eyes and hacking as merely a hassle, read on to see whether your allergies are putting you at risk for something more serious.

Allergies--or Asthma?

Hay fever (allergic rhinitis), the most common nasal allergy, develops when your body overreacts to substances in the environment that it mistakenly believes are harmful, such as pollen from trees, grasses, or weeds.

Asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs, is the only pulmonary disease that can also be caused by allergies. If you have allergies, you are six times more likely to develop asthma, according to the American Lung Association (ALA). But not all asthma is allergy-related, and not all allergies will cause an asthma attack. (To learn the biology of an allergy, visit "Anatomy of an Allergy" at MSNBC.com.)

Asthma can be costly--its sufferers often miss work and school and rack up doctor's visits--and also deadly, particularly among African-Americans. We account for only 12 percent of the population but more than 24 percent of asthma deaths, according to the ALA. So it's important to get a handle on your allergies to prevent them from developing into something worse.

If you have the following symptoms, see a doctor immediately--you may already have asthma:

* Coughing a lot during or immediately after exercise;

* Shortness of breath;

* Wheezing when you breathe;

* Tightness in your chest.

The African Asthma-and-Allergy Connection

We African-Americans are slightly more allergy-prone than our European-American peers. It is believed that when our forebears lived in the tropics, high levels of an allergy-fighting cell, known as IgE, that targeted specific substances helped them to stave off parasitic infections, according to Anne Staveren, M.D., a Los Angeles allergist and immunologist.

Experts speculate that those who had more of this specific IgE were more likely to survive than those who did not, she continues. So while we may view our allergies as a headache, they are a testament to our powerful genetics. But the downside is that if your parents or grandparents had hay fever or asthma, you are more likely to have it too.

You're also more likely to develop asthma if you've been exposed to dust mites (microscopic bugs that thrive on dust, common in housing that has old carpets or mold or is in disrepair), cockroaches, or secondhand cigarette smoke, particularly your mother's.

Hay Fever or a Cold?

Contrary to its common name "hay fever," allergic rhinitis is actually not accompanied by fever. Symptoms include these:

* Itchy nose, eyes, ears, and throat;

* Nasal congestion;

* Violent and prolonged sneezing spells;

* Clear, watery nasal discharge.

Even though some of these symptoms can be common to colds, itchiness usually signals allergies, advises Dr. Staveren. If symptoms last longer than a cold and recur at the same time every year, you probably have allergies. Fever or body aches usually mean you have a cold, although fever can also indicate a sinus infection, which could be caused by allergic rhinitis.

How to Handle Your Hay Fever

If you have allergies, make an appointment with an allergist at least once in your life. She or he can help you identify the substances that trigger them and also develop preventive and treatment strategies.

Most people with allergies merely need an over-the-counter antihistamine, which counters the body's production of symptom-causing chemicals. If you have asthma, however, you must see your doctor to make sure your condition is properly managed. (Visit the American Lung Association site for more information.)

There are also many holistic ways to manage hay fever. Dr. Staveren recommends drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day and taking extra doses of vitamin C. Saltwater cleansing (visit your drug or health food store) removes pollen from the nose and decongests it. She also suggests that certain herbal remedies may help prevent the condition.

Author and lecturer Andrew Weil, M.D., suggests the following herbs: 1 to 2 capsules of stinging nettle every two to four hours; 400 milligrams of quercetin, a bioflavonoid, two times a day between meals; and astragalus, to boost immunity (2 capsules or tablets twice a day, unless the product directs otherwise).

Dr. Staveren warns that before taking any herbal remedies, you should read their labels very carefully to make sure that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients. Bee pollen extract, for example, can cause a bad allergic reaction in many people. Also consult your physician or pharmacist beforehand about potential drug interactions. For more information about herb safety, visit the Herb Research Foundation.

Hilary A. Beard is a NiaOnline senior channel producer

Published on: 05/06/2002

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