Allergy season blows into Sisters

Sisters’ many juniper trees are busy this time of year — releasing their yellow pollen powder to pollinate other junipers. But that natural phenomenon brings some unwanted symptoms to allergy sufferers, from runny noses to watery eyes.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates that this spring more than 35 million Americans will suffer from allergies to airborne pollen.

Dr. Steven Greer with Bend Memorial Clinic’s Sisters office said he is starting to see patients with seasonal allergies. Greer said allergy season in Central Oregon begins with juniper then moves on to other trees and grasses.

“With any allergy, avoidance of exposure is the number one thing to do,” said Greer.

Even though juniper is plentiful in the Sisters area, Dr. Greer said people who are susceptible can reduce their levels of exposure by wearing a dust mask if they need to work outside on windy days. Weather affects how pollen is carried in the air. Pollen travels best on warm, breezy days and is lowest on wet days.

At times with high pollen counts, people can keep house and car windows closed and change their air filters frequently.

Greer added it is important to determine the difference between allergies and the common cold. Allergic symptoms include sneezing and watery eyes while colds usually bring an overall feeling of not being well and are contagious.

He said medications, including over-the-counter drugs, work well for people with mild symptoms. Antihistamines are used to prevent or relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and other allergies. They work by preventing the production of histamine, a substance produced by the body during an allergic reaction. For more serious symptoms, an allergist may also recommend immunotherapy treatment, also called allergy vaccinations or shots.

Dr. Greer added this area is not particularly bad when it comes to getting allergies.

“People who have allergic tendencies become allergic where ever they live,” said Greer.

Another local health practitioner is also seeing many patients with reactions to juniper. Jeanne White is a licensed acupuncturist and founder of 5 Elements Healing Arts Center in Sisters.

“Many of my patients are coming in with itchy eyes, scratchy throat, sneezing, runny nose — common allergy/cold symptoms,” said White.

White said the best way to work with allergies is to boost the immunity through acupuncture, meditation, massage, exercise and healthy diet.

“My goal is to help people overcome their susceptibility to allergies, so that they do not continually suffer year after year,” said White.