Young, Broke, and Fabulous: Allergy Season Has Arrived

Catharine Conway, Opinion Editor

With all of the sneezes, coughs, and piles of tissues going around, it is not a wonder that

Spring has sprung at Pace.

Unfortunately with the aftermath of hurricane Sandy and the winter’s record-setting amounts of snow, the amount of precipitation over the Northeast region will leave its inhabitants suffering the most during this allergy season.

“[This] promises a robust allergy season,’’ said Leonard Bielory, an allergy and immunology specialist with the

Rutgers Center for Environmental Prediction in New Jersey, a state which suffered widespread destruction from Sandy.

With pollen being the most serious offender during this time of year, a variety of trees, weeds, and grasses are also to blame for the cold like symptoms that plague so many students.

Having sinuses clogged day after day while sneezing 20 times during one class period can be unbearable for students.

All of that plus coughing and having itchy and watery eyes is a combination to never be wished

on anyone. Yet people still suffer.

“I’ve been giving myself allergy shots since I was 14 years old,” freshman Nursing major Henry Snyder said, “And even with that, I am still on multiple medications at the same. When I wake up in the morning, I can’t see or breathe. Then I have to drain my sinuses and take my medications. After about half an hour, I can breathe again.”

Is there a way to get rid of allergies permanently? Nope.

There are no cures for allergies; only temporary fixes to alleviate the discomfort.

So in the meantime, here are some options: Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra, Benedryl are the most popular over the counter drugs that will help students with their allergy symptoms.

For those opposed to medication, a change in environment is recommended.

They don’t call it Spring Cleaning for nothing, right? Cleaning your room and getting rid of the dust bunnies that have been collecting all winter may help with the discomfort and allow for a better night’s sleep.

“My allergies in terms of pollen at Pace aren’t that bad,” freshman Public Relations major Melissa Bergholz said, “But an increase in dust and mold really bothers my sinuses.”

This time of year is the most important for students, especially with final exams, formals, and having to move out of their dorm rooms at the end of the year.

For some, graduation is coming. I would hate to be sick on my graduation day.

So for those who are suffering, sneeze and cough no more. Summer is almost here.