Dede Johansson and her family left New York City headed for a simpler lifestyle in Kentucky. They settled in the small town of Corbin, which lies just inside the Cumberland Plateau region of Appalachia in the southeastern part of the state. The Johansson's believed the temperate climate, bucolic atmosphere of rolling green pastures and nearby Laurel River Lake was the perfect place to raise their three daughters. What they didn't realize and neglected to consider was their family's history of asthma, which would only be exacerbated by living in the area. Geography and weather play important roles in seasonal allergies. In southern regions where the growing season starts early in the year, spring allergies can begin as early as January. The rainy and humid conditions they left behind in NYC had dampened pollen and reduced exposure by making it less airborne. According to the Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, hay fever and other seasonal allergies affect around 35 million Americans. When it encounters pollen, the immune system releases chemicals called histamines to combat the allergens. Histamines are behind hay fever symptoms, including sneezing, headache, runny nose and watery eyes. Tree pollen in early spring and grass pollen in the summer can make this time of year particularly uncomfortable. The Johansson family managed to deal with their minor mishap of moving during peak springtime months by rolling up the windows of their car when they drive down country roads. They also adapted to thoroughly washing and changing clothing after spending much time outdoors to prevent the transfer of pollen. And, much to Dede Johansson's regret, she decided to forego one of the very things she imagined herself doing at her new country home, hanging freshly laundered clothing outside to blow dry in the soft spring breezes on the clothesline. Another spring and summertime source of allergic reactions which at the very least, create a nuisance, are bugs. Although most seasonally appearing bug bites just leave us with an itchy sensation, a few can infect us with serious viruses such as West Nile virus from mosquitoes, Lyme disease from ticks or even a life-threatening allergic reaction from a bee sting. Mosquito bites are perhaps the most common of insect attacks during the spring or summer months, although entomologists say they prefer to bite animals. People who claim they are human target practice for the pests at alarming rates can protect themselves by wearing repellant and by keeping in mind that most of the 3,500 species of mosquitoes are attracted to sweat, alcohol and perfume. Experts at the Centers for Disease Control suggest using insect repellants that contain picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or the chemical DEET which are most effective in warding off mosquitoes and ticks in particular. DEET, or N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, is the most common active ingredient in most insect repellants, but it's not without its own set of pesky attributes. Originally developed by the U.S. Army following its encounter with jungle warfare during World War II, DEET is a pesticide. It was originally tested on farm fields, first used by the military in 1946 and approved for civilian use in 1957. As a precaution, manufacturers advise that DEET products should not be used under clothing or on damaged skin and should be washed off after its effect is no longer needed. The American Academy of Pediatrics have found products containing between 10 to 30 percent DEET are safe for use on children and adults, but recommends it not be used on infants under two months old. Those outdoor types who prefer to keep themselves and the environment pesticide-free can purchase any number of over-the-counter natural repellants such as Lemon Eucalyptus oil as mentioned earlier. Another popular product called Bite Blocker contains geranium oil and soybean oil. Common citronella oil found in plants is used in lotions, sprays and candles, but experts say the candles alone do not supply enough coverage to prevent bites. Whichever methods we use to optimize pest-free outdoor living during the spring and summer months, it is prudent to resist scratching which can lead to infection. Serious reactions that require immediate medical attention are swelling of the face or neck, wheezing and shortness of breath and feeling dizzy. People who know they have life-threatening allergies to certain foods, plants or insects should carry an EpiPen. The EpiPen is a medically prescribed device for an injection of the drug epinephrine. It works by relaxing the muscles in the airways and tightening blood vessels. Have fun at the picnic!
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