Novi (WWJ) -- Itchy eyes...stuffy nose...sneezing. These may all be symptoms of allergies, and recently, people have been suffering more with them. But why now, since allergy season usually runs through September, or through the first frost, which many Michiganders experienced with recent cold weather.
"Well," says Dr. Michael Rowe of the Allergy and Asthma Center of Michigan in Novi, "sometimes we have to wait for a real heavy frost. Or, what they could be suffering from is mold allergies, which usually lasts through the first snow."
Dr. Rowe says that the most prevalent allergy that many institutions, including his own, have seen recently is mold allergies. This is due to the recent damp weather and constant rain, and will continue throughout most of fall, because of the leaves that collect humidity and in turn create more mold.
So the question then arises...why are more people suffering from allergies than in the past years. "This may have to do with living environments. More people are moving to more rural areas where they are around woods or ponds, with a lot more exposure to pollen or mold."
"Also, many people are living in tighter spaces for energy conservation. They tend to hibernate indoors more often, which exposes them to the indoor allergens."
"So other than taking medicine and seeing allergy specialists, what can people do? "Those suffering from allergies should try and stay away from the thingsthey're allergic," says Dr. Rowe. "If you are allergic to outdoor mold or pollen, make sure to keep your windows closed. Also, when it gets warmer again, you can turn on the air conditioning which filters most mold and pollen.
"If you're allergic to things indoors, try to keep dust levels down, and make sure your furnace is cleaning your air properly."
However if these don't work, Dr. Rowe advises people to see a specialist who can prescribe the right medication.
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