How can I Predict My Seasonal Allergies?
The first step in predicting your seasonal allergy reactions is knowing which allergens are creating your problem. A trip to the Allergist is the best way to get this important information.
Once your Allergist has determined the most likely culprits you can begin to understand and predict some of your allergic reactions and pre-treat yourself for optimal effectiveness.
An important tool in predicting seasonal allergy issues is knowing the pollen count (what type and how much pollen is in the air) in your area as well as the weather heading in your direction. WEGO Health has an excellent link that provides both of these tools, as well as detailed information about different pollen types and when and where they are typically active. Simply clicking on a state, then entering your city or your zip code gives you detailed information you can use to help predict how your allergies may be affecting you for the week.
If seasonal allergies are new to you, you might begin by keeping a diary that includes your symptoms, the medications that you took that day and when, as well as the weather and pollen counts. One season of a detailed diary like this is usually more than sufficient to begin to see trends that can help you for years to come, and is a helpful tool for your doctor in determining which allergy testing to perform and if your symptoms warrant immunotherapy (allergy shots).
Does anyone else have any helpful websites or tools they could share? If I find any other more helpful sites I'll be sure to post them as well!
Once your Allergist has determined the most likely culprits you can begin to understand and predict some of your allergic reactions and pre-treat yourself for optimal effectiveness.
An important tool in predicting seasonal allergy issues is knowing the pollen count (what type and how much pollen is in the air) in your area as well as the weather heading in your direction. WEGO Health has an excellent link that provides both of these tools, as well as detailed information about different pollen types and when and where they are typically active. Simply clicking on a state, then entering your city or your zip code gives you detailed information you can use to help predict how your allergies may be affecting you for the week.
If seasonal allergies are new to you, you might begin by keeping a diary that includes your symptoms, the medications that you took that day and when, as well as the weather and pollen counts. One season of a detailed diary like this is usually more than sufficient to begin to see trends that can help you for years to come, and is a helpful tool for your doctor in determining which allergy testing to perform and if your symptoms warrant immunotherapy (allergy shots).
Does anyone else have any helpful websites or tools they could share? If I find any other more helpful sites I'll be sure to post them as well!
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Jan Duvall on -
My horse is extremely allergic to pollen. In May 2007 he started excessive snorting, rubbing his nose and tossing his head in response to nasal irritation -- allergic rhinitis. Same thing in July 2008, and now it has started again end of February 2009. It interferes with everything we try to do together -- the head tossing is actually dangerous. Last summer I started giving him antihistamine capsules (Hydroxyzine Pamoate), but that does not seem to be helping much this year. I'm wondering if any other horse owners have this problem and what can be done to help the situation. Thanks!
-
Permalink Reply by Anna Sochocky on
-
Jan,
Oh, do I feel your pain. I bought a horse in Fort Collins, Colorado and moved him to Santa Fe, New Mexico and he is miserable with allergies. My vet still thinks he is a headshaker, but I am holding firm to the presence of intense allergies. First, what I have tried and did not work: cypro, trihist powder, doxipin. First round of allergy shots worked, but the second round did not take into account the first blood result and did not work. I am at another lab, Bio-Medical in Austin, Texas (UC Davis vet school uses it) and just got the results back. My horse is not allergic to the standard NM fare like juniper, but is allergic to almost every weed on the planet. Spirulina powder which you can purchase in Ameri-Herbs in Ames, Iowa (online) works well. Shake No More from Smart Pak Equine did not work for my horse, but could work for you. I am going to try an nose net from Equilibrium next. Am also going to try the headshaker cocktail listed in Practical Horseman this month...magnesium, melatonin (though the vet doesn't think he is a photic headshaker, but still a headshaker), and spirulina. I think my horse has severe allergic rhinitis, too...lone voice in the wilderness that I am these days. Also, I have ordered a product called NostrilVet from England which is supposed to coat the nasal membranes and keep out allergins from a horse's nose. I think the website is nostrilvet.com. I don't really post on this site but saw your email. There is a headshaker group on Yahoo which has quite a bit on allergies in horses as well that I have found very helpful. Also, if you are willing to trade emails, we can keep up-to-date about what is working for our horses and what isn't. My email address is: asochocky@yahoo.com Good luck. Where do you live? Anna
-
Permalink Reply by Ellen S on -
Gosh guys, I feel for you terribly. I hope it turns out to be an allergic reaction versus tossing/shaking. A friend had a shaker we think was Photic, since evenings he seemed to be virtually fine. She ended up taking him back to the seller. Awesome hunter horse, but this was a major problem that made it impossible to compete. I have Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) which has sometimes been compared to shakers. If the horses are feeling the same thing I do when triggered, it's amazing they don't do more than shake. Some people find relief with anti-virals or simple Vitamin B12 which helps the protective coating around the nerves to heal. I've never heard of dealing with horses in this way tho. Have you tried the distraction method (probably has a name I'm not remembering)? Something that comes into constant contact with part of the face that is being triggered... The nose net Anna mentioned is one, but I've seen owners do everything from add a fringe to a noseband, to cover with a bandana. What works for one doesn't always work for another. Not a cure, but maybe something to get you through until you get the allergies worked out? Good luck guys. I'd love to know how it comes out. It's almost got to be triggering the nerve branch in the sinus don't you think? Seems like there should be something that would work. What about Lidocaine spray? We use that for Migraine and Sinus headache issues sometimes...Grasping at straws here...
-
Permalink Reply by Cherlyn Williams on -
I work for Dermatology for Animals, we actually have a clinic in Sante Fe and we treat horses as well. Look us up on the web, www.dermvet.com or call 877-604-8366. Thanks Cherlyn
-
Permalink Reply by sillyfigbash72 on
-
Hi Anna!
What is the Yahoo group that you were talking about?
Also- I have my horse on Spirulina as well- doesn't seem to be helping much, but then again, I have had him on it for at least a year. He is also on garlic and on "Breather Powder" from Springtime, Inc. (great company...)My horse is allergic to everything here in MA too....even timothy hay! Horrible and very frustrating since I can't ride him like this :(
pam
-
Permalink Reply by Sheila on
-
My horse has just been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, or photic head shakeing. He is not rideable and barely workable at all. I have just started him on cyproheptadine. This was the 3rd day and so far I have seen very little improvement. He has a full fly mask on 24/7. My horse is not the best behaved to begin with, and the 'headshaking' to the point of rearing is making him dangerous. I am hoping it is seasonal. Otherwise,I do not know what becomes horses with this ailment.
I plan to explore suplements and even accupuncture to help my horse.
Please share anything that you have found that works.
Sheila and Gabilan
-
Permalink Reply by susan on
-
Jan, For the past several years, my horse started his seasonal headshaking in April or May, but in 2009, he started in February, just like your horse. I live in the Prescott, AZ area. According to the results of a blood test, he is allergic to just about every plant in the region. Has anyone else noticed an earlier onset of headshaking in 2009?
-
Permalink Reply by sillyfigbash72 on
-
Hi Jan!
Wow- my horse is EXACTLY the same way- he is an OTTB, and I have had him for about 2 years. His allergies are HORRIBLE!!!! It is so bad that I also can not ride, basically all he wants to do is be inside his stall (he has a run-in)....he is allergic to timothy, meadow grass- the list goes on and on.
I tried spirulina and that seemed to help for a bit, but not really when the pollen counts are as high as they are right now (today it was "high" which was around 10.0)....I am in the north central part of MA. All my horse does is sneeze and throw his head if I try to ride.....I don't dare b/c he actually is so bothered that I think he tries anything just to get back to his dark stall. :(
Anything help you since you last posted??? Woodie (my horse) started showing allergic reactions this year in April....also, I have noticed he gets hives (not too hot, but little bumps all over the area) at times. I think this is from when he lays down on the hay in his stall (that he did not eat!).....
any help/commiseration would be greatly appreciated!
pam
-
Permalink Reply by leslupe@aol.com on
-
Hi Jan,
My horse has a runny nose and some tearing. I was told he has allergies. I started giving him antihistamines and that helped a lot in the beginning. Stopped his symptoms for about 2-3 weeks then they came back. I heard a little cough last weekend and had my vet come out. He gave him a shot (steroid) to open up his airways a bit. He suggested I have Chico tested to see what he is allergic to. But also suggested bronchiodilators, etc. He only tosses his head when he is trying to get rid of the mucous that is hanging off his nostril(s). I live in FL and heaven only knows EVERYTHING grows down here! The vet also mentioned trying spirulina. What did you end up doing? Thanks!
-
Permalink Reply by Cherlyn Williams on
-
Hi, I actually work for a veterinary dermatologist, we treat allergies all the time in dogs, cats and horses. We actually test horses for enviromental allergies and treat them with immunotherapy as well. I would highly recommend you seek out a veterinary dermatologist in your area, you can search for one with The American College of Veterinary Dermatology, their website is www.acvd.org or check out our website at www.dermvet.com. The good news is that most of our horses only need immunotherapy for a couple of years. Good luck!!!
-
Permalink Reply by Lee Rayson on -
Hi Ellen,
I like you state, used to pre-empt my allergy attacks. At one stage I would even lick an antihistamine tablet before going out, just in case! My attacks were life threatening, so anxiety about my future was a big part of my life. I suffered from allergy attacks from the age of 25 until I was 47!
I have learned to Live NOW. I don't live in the past, as that is gone, I no longer worry about the future as I know the things that we predict as true are not certain.
As difficult as it may initially seem, do not accept your current state of health as true for you, for the rest of your life.
I no longer suffer from allergy attacks. I regained control of my life.
-
Permalink Reply by sarahc on -
last year i brought my irish draft x cob and he soon developed symptoms in june of 08 his eyes teared and had a lot of nasel discharge had the vet they gave him eye drops but they only took away the swelling didnt solve the problem by the end of summer he became spookey which was totally out of character as he was totally bomb proof as winter aproched he was fine back to his normal self abot 4 weeks ago it all started again his eyes watering and alot of nasel discharge i had his teeth checked and was given more eye cream from my vet but then he got worse he then started headshacking couldnt be ridden at all and the poor chap just went down hill i new i had to find something to help him he cant carry on like this so i did alot of research spoke to alot of people and found that bee pollen tablets are amazing and if the nasel discharge is thick white or creamy colour i gave him bee propolis to clear ant infection you can buy them for pets or humans they truely are amazing and also aloe drink in there feed is brill i dont no what i would of done if i hadnt of found these products as i couldnt stand watching my horse suffer humans can be treated for pollen allergies so why cant horses and there isnt enough help out there for this thanks
© 2009 Created by Marie
