KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN TUESDAY. APRIL 27. 2010 / NEWS
3A
Pollen is at the top of the list of top 10 allergy triggers in the United States, according to www.testcountry.org. Also on the list is animal hair, perfume and cockroaches.
Jerry Wang/KANSAN
ALLERGIES (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
TREATMENTS
Because of the prevalence of allergies throughout the year, a variety of treatments, from shots to over-the-counter medication, are available to help reduce symptoms.
Bolden administers allergy injections to severe allergy patients at Watkins. She gives shots to about 50 patients per week and each patient receives between one and five injections per visit. This season Bolden has seen worse reactions to shots with increased allergens in the air.
Allergy shots are a form of treatment for people with severe allergies called immunotherapy, in which a patient receives injections with a small amount of the allergens he or she is allergic to. The shot does not contain enough to result in an allergic reaction, but just enough to trigger the patient's immune system.
"They are getting a shot of what they are allergic to and they are also breathing the increased allergens in the air," Bolden said. "So we have been seeing more reactions."
A mild reaction might be redness, swelling or itching at the injection site. A severe reaction could result in hives, difficulty breathing or swelling of the eyes and lips.
It takes an average of five to six years for the treatment to
develop a patient's immune system. Eventually, the patient's body may be able to fight off allergic reactions and minimize symptoms during allergy season.
Brian Wyrowski, a senior from Olathe, has received allergy shots since his senior year in high school. Spring allergens trigger his reactions, but he has benefited from almost four years of immunotherapy.
"It took a while to get to this point, but this is the first year that I haven't really needed much medication," he said.
Wyroowski said he is allergic to pollen and sometimes the pollen injection he receives swells and itches. But overall, he said, his symptoms have decreased.
Bolden and Frick said the best way to cope with this unusually severe allergy season is avoidance.
"I's hard to avoid the stuff," Frick said. "Unfortunately, it's beautiful outside, but stay inside with the windows closed."
2. Animal hair
Several over the-counter medications are also available to help relieve mild symptoms, Frick said. But he said if symptoms become severe, the patient should see a doctor and receive prescriptions such as eye drops and nasal sprays.
TOP 10 ALLERGY TRIGGERS IN THE U.S.
As warm weather increases so will other allergens, Frick said. Tree season usually lasts from mid-February through April, grass
1. Pollen
2. Animal hair
3. Dust mites
4. Insect bites
5. Mold
3.
7
8. Medicine
10. Cockroaches
http://www.testcountry.org
season occurs from May to early July, and late summer brings weeds such as ragweed, which last until the first solid freeze. Bolden said rain provides temporary relief of symptoms because it cleans the air and rinses away pollen and other allergens.
Wyrowski also suggested placing an ice pack over itchy eyes to help reduce swelling and irritation. However, allergies affect different people in different ways, and there is no broad cure or solution.
"You just have to find the medicine that works for you," Wyrowski said.
— Edited by Anna Archibald
Snakes and other reptiles sit in cages along a walking path in the Baker Wetlands as part of a station for educating students on wildlife native to the area. The Wetlands offer more than six miles of trails for anyone to enjoy its biodiversity.
WETLANDS (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
with Wetland Learners, which is supported by the Kaw Valley Heritage Alliance, the Jayhawk Audobon Society and the Lied Center.
Anthea Scouffas, director of education at the Lied Center, said UKanTeach, a certificate program that trains education students in science and mathematics, and other students from the campus have been interested and involved in the program this semester.
"The University students add a special energy to the event," Scouffas said.
For example, Lauren Ashman, a junior from St. Louis, learned how to break down information for second graders. On her discovery walks down the banks of the wetlands, Ashman had the students use their
Wetland Learners provides two very important learning experiences. While the second graders learn about the life cycles of bugs and plants, Archer, an environmental studies major, and other KU students learn about education and small developing minds.
five senses to explore.
What they couldn't find out by touching or listening to, they could ask Ashman.
"They question a lot, but at least they are inquisitive," Ashman, an environmental studies major, said. "Kids are like spoonies."
Watching kids soak up facts about crawfish castles and praying mantises reinforced Ashman's plans to become a teacher. She said she wants to teach in an outdoor setting like the wetlands, not the traditional classroom. So her discovery walk today could become a reoccurring adventure in her future.
Archer also helped the kids to explore by telling them a story. She told the group of six to close their eyes and imagine with her
"I asked what kind of animals live out here, and I had one kid say rhinoceroses because there was land and water." Archer said. "Those things made sense."
"They question a lot, but at least they are inquisitive. Kids are like sponges."
However, not all the students helping want to teach in the future.
LAUREN ASHMAN St. Louis junior
Archer said she just likes being able to volunteer and show 1,000 second graders the outdoors.
that they all shrank to the size of a bug. Then, as the excited imaginary bugs opened their eyes, Archer told them to inspect all blades of grass and dirt around
"It's fun to see them curious and looking closer," Archer said. "Now they know how to find things out by themselves."
them. Excited voices shouted out things about grasshoppers and twigs - all new finds.
- Edited by Sarah Bluvas
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