It’s that time of year again the weather is getting warmer, the flowers are blooming, and for many of us that means it is time to start sneezing. If you are one of the millions of Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies, you may have noticed your symptoms seem to get worse on Fridays. And if you are superstitious, you may be wondering if there is a connection between your allergies and Friday the 13th. For many people, Friday the 13th is a day to be avoided. But for those with allergies, it is just another day. Allergies are caused by an overreaction of the immune system to a usually harmless substance, such as pollen or dust. When these substances come into contact with the nose, eyes, or skin, they can cause symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and watery eyes.
Some common allergies include hay fever, pet allergies, food allergies, and drug allergies. Although there is no cure for allergies, there are ways to manage them. Avoidance is the best way to manage allergies. If you know you are allergic to something, try to avoid contact with it as much as possible, such as staying indoors on days when pollen counts are high and avoid petting animals that you know you are allergic to.
When an allergy suffer comes in contact with an allergen, there are body releases histamine in an attempt to get rid of the allergen. This release of histamine is what causes allergy symptoms like watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. So, what does all this have to do with Friday the 13th? Well according to some researchers there may actually be a connection between the 2. One theory is that because Fridays generally tend to be busier days than other weekdays, people are more likely to come in contact with allergens like pollen and pet dander. Additionally, stress has been shown to increase histamine levels in the body, so if you are feeling extra stressed on Fridays (perhaps because of work deadlines or family obligations, that could also contribute to worsening allergy symptom
Whether or not there is a real connection between allergies and Friday the 13th remains to be seen. But if you are someone who suffers from seasonal allergies, it might not hurt to take some extra precautions on days when your symptoms seem to be worse than usual. Stay indoors is much as possible, keep windows closed and avoid being outside during peak pollen hours (generally early morning and late afternoon. And if you know you will be spending time around pets or other allergens, be sure to take your allergy medication ahead of time. There are ways to manage allergies such as avoidance, medications, and allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots) so if you suffer from allergies do not let Friday the 13th stop you from living your life.
TulsaAllergyNews 