C’mon outside and play!
MAY 
Not Everyone Loves Spring
by Ian Darlington
Spring is finally here! We have waited for it through the long, dark, cold winter, and now it is time to start enjoying the simple pleasures of sitting outside, listening to the birds sing, and watching as the plants spring up and release pollen into the air. Suddenly, many of you may find spring less appealing because this evolution means a stuffy head, runny nose, and itchy eyes, which could cause you to miss out on all the fun of Spring Term. So what can you do about it?
The first step in any battle is simple: know your enemy. Seasonal allergies happen when the body is tricked into thinking that harmless particles are dangerous invaders. The immune system tries to get rid of these allergens by sneezing them out, flushing them out with tears or mucus, and preventing them from getting into the lungs by constricting the airways. These are all normal responses to toxins and viruses. The difference is that seasonal allergies do not pose any harm to the body; they just make life miserable.
These responses are caused by weakness in the immune system. The immune system develops fastest during childhood and studies have shown that children who are breast-fed develop a stronger immune system to allergies when compared to children who drink formula. Similarly, children who are exposed to pets, dirt, a variety of foods, etc. are less likely to be allergic to these things. Some of you are suddenly grateful for all that mud you ate as a kid, huh?
The next step is simple: identify your specific allergies. Knowing what you are allergic to will help you avoid contact. This may seem like common sense, but many people do not know what exactly they are reacting to. Your doctor can perform some simple tests to find out which allergens affect you and to what degree.
In keeping with the theory of most Western medicine, many people with allergies look for a miracle pill to solve their problems. Steroids, anti-histamines, and decongestants are popular, as are brand name drugs like Zyrtec, Zaditor, and Alavert. Some of these work, some do not. The biggest problem with pills is that they often only cover up the symptoms instead of tackling the problem: a weak immune system.
A better option for some people is the natural and long-term approach to fixing the problem: increasing general immunity. Making sure you are getting enough vitamins, especially vitamins C and E, is very important as they serve to strengthen immunity. A more “country” method of increasing immunity is to eat local honey. As local bees use local pollen, the honey will contain trace amounts of these substances which will then be used by the body to build an effective response. This process works through the same method as immunization shots.
Two plants shown to help counter allergies are nettle and butterbur. Nettle contains huge numbers of histamines, the exact things which are used to fight allergies in the first place. Butterbur works from the same base as Zyrtec; both contain the chemical cetirizine. The differences are that less butterbur is needed to achieve the same results as Zyrtec (8mg vs. 10mg), and the main side effect, drowsiness, is greatly reduced when using butterbur (mayoclinic.com).
In short, you have a lot of options to control your allergy reactions. If it all still seems confusing or you are unsure what treatment would work best for you, it’s always best to consult your doctor.
Safe Sun Tips
Warm weather is upon us, and for many this means spending more time outside and becoming more active. This is excellent for your mind and body, but it’s important to take a few things into consideration before hitting the quad to play Frisbee or just sunbathe.
First, after a long winter, we’re stoked to be getting out in the sunshine again. But remember, 90% of skin cancers are caused by the sun and is the most common type of cancer for women in our age group. So, protect yourself a little bit before you go out to keep that young, youthful glow for years to come. Here are some tips for doing so: