Springtime allergies

Flower & Garden Magazine, March-April, 1998 by Carol A. Prebich

Spring is just around the corner and

most of us are simply itching to get

out in the garden. Unfortunately, for

some, the word "itching" has an altogether

different meaning than a longing

to have our hands in the soil.

At a recent gathering of friends, all

true-blue Flower & Garden fans, the

conversation eventually came around

to the magazine, which led to the

department "Healthy Gardener." It

seems some of us who never had an

allergy or outbreak were experiencing

newly acquired reactions, and others

wanted to be prepared for the upcoming season.

I sought advice from Donald V.

Belsito, Professor of Medicine and

Director of the Division of Dermatology

at Kansas University Medical

Center. I want to share, in my

lay-person manner, some of his insights on

garden-related allergy and dermatology concerns.

All of us who are hay fever sufferers

know the symptoms of a day outdoors

-- red, itchy eyes, runny or stuffy

noses. Another type of garden-related

outbreak is eczema, or a red, itchy,

scaly rash on the skin. These two types

of allergies are caused by different

mechanisms, and both can develop

among gardeners.

Pollens can be a powerful source of

irritation and are the most common of

the allergy triggers for hay fever. Pollen

is scattered by two methods -- insects

and wind. Fortunately, most vegetables

and ornamental plants don't produce

the kinds of pollen than can cause our

allergy symptoms. Most vegetables and

ornamentals are insect-pollinated, and

these pollens are not easily inhaled.

The wind-pollinated plants, such as

trees, weeds and grasses, do result in

phenomenal amounts of pollen being

dispersed. Just by being outdoors in

the garden, a certain vulnerability

occurs that will enhance the possibility

of allergies.

Molds are an additional source of

hay-fever allergens that can cause

runny-nose symptoms. If you have a

known allergy to molds, stay away

from moist compost piles. If you must

have one, have someone else care for

it. And stay away from greenhouses.

With the heat and humidity,

greenhouses are a prime breeding place for

mold, especially under wood surfaces.

When raking, mowing or weeding,

hay-fever-type molds and pollens can be

stirred up. Again, if you are particularly

sensitive and can have someone

do these for you, all the better. Mold

spore counts typically are many times

greater than pollen counts. Check your

local weather for the daily count.

Garden-related eczema can be

caused by some of your garden products.

Be sure your gardening tools are

not rusty -- this can also create an

eczema-type reaction. Dr. Belsito

recommends not using any type of latex

garden gloves; use cloth or leather

instead. If these are not readily available,

opt for cotton glove liners. Be

aware of the possibility that fungus in

the soil can cause fungus in your nails.

If you are generally susceptible, you

can develop frictional dermatitis or

psoriasis in areas of trauma when

coming in contact with handles on mowers

or rakes. And be sure your gardening

tools are not rusty -- this can release

nickel, a common eczema-type allergen,

especially in people sensitive to

costume jewelry.

Also unpleasant to the gardener is

poison ivy, especially during spring and

early summer. Dr. Belsito reminds us

of the age-old saying, "Leaves of three,

let it be." Regrettably, there are many

plants with leaves of three, so it's best

to become familiar with the poison ivy

variety, especially if you know you

have a sensitivity to it. Be conscious of

the fact that your outdoor pets can

transfer the ivy resin to you -- animals

are not allergic to poison ivy, but if they

happen upon it and some resin attaches

to their fur, it can be transmitted to you

by your petting them. Also, check rake

handles or your garden gloves that

have been inadvertently dropped for

any ivy resin.

An interesting fact that Dr. Belsito

shared was winter-time reactions from

poison ivy. The culprit? Firewood. If

any ivy resins are on the logs, the

smoke from a fire will throw them off,

creating a situation that can be

hazardous to any poison ivy-sensitive

person in your home.

As for the time of day best for

gardening with relation to allergies, Dr.

Belsito recommends early morning or

late in the day. But if another time of

day works for you, by all means

continue to garden then. When you are out

in the elements, all types of weather

can be problematic to sensitive gardeners.

Remember to use sunscreen, and

be sure to check for offensive ingredients.

Are you using any medications

that would prevent you from being in

the direct sun? Be especially careful on

hot, windy days, when large amounts of

pollen are dispersed. A cloudy, cool

day may be your best bet.

The number reported on the

percentage of the overall population of

allergy sufferers varies. And the statistics

on women vs. men are also sketchy.

It seems that women tend to visit the

doctor earlier with symptoms, while

men tend to wait until they have no

other options! There is no one season

of the year more offensive than

another -- it all depends on what

you're allergic to. If it's trees and flowers,

then spring is the time for caution;