May is recognized as Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. This month aligns with the spring or peak allergy season on the mainland when the flowers are blooming and the pollen is floating in the wind.
On Guam, however, pollen season is year round. The rain is also pretty regular year round, which means that pollen is not as big of a threat as other allergens.
An allergy happens when your immune system mistakes a usually harmless substance for a threat.
The body’s response can range from a mild skin rash to a life-threatening emergency called anaphylaxis. The severity of an allergic reaction caused by an allergen varies from person to person.
Common triggers
Many people think of allergies as sneezing from dust or the pollen in flowers. But food allergies are serious and sometimes deadly.
For Pacific Islanders, seafood such as fish and shellfish is the most common trigger, with nuts in second place.
Other common allergens include eggs, milk, wheat and soy. Environmental allergies such as dust mites, mold, pet dander and insect stings are also widespread.
A study published in the Postgraduate Medical Journal from the University of Auckland examined food-induced anaphylaxis hospital admissions in New Zealand. Pacific Island populations were three times more likely to be hospitalized for a severe allergic reaction than New Zealand Europeans.
Anaphylaxis can happen quickly. Within minutes, the throat can swell, making breathing difficult and blood pressure drops. Without immediate treatment like adrenaline from an epi pen, it can be fatal.
Signs to watch for include itching, hives, swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, and vomiting.
If you or someone nearby shows these symptoms after eating, call 911 immediately.
Do you have an allergy?
Many people live with undiagnosed allergies for years. Some manage mild symptoms and never connect them to a specific food or trigger.
A physician can order a skin prick test or a blood test to identify specific allergens. A skin prick test exposes a small area of skin to suspected allergens and checks for a reaction. Blood tests measure your immune response to specific substances.
See your doctor if you notice consistent reactions after eating certain foods or spending time in certain environments.
Protect yourself
Knowledge is power and awareness is the best defense for people and communities where allergies are common.
Once you know your triggers, you can take steps to avoid certain ingredients, inform those around you of the allergens you are sensitive to, and have important medication readily available.
Read food labels carefully. Inform restaurants about your allergy when dining out. Carry an epinephrine auto-injector, known as an EpiPen, if your doctor recommends one. Make sure close friends and family members know how to use it.
For environmental allergies, keep windows closed during high pollen periods. Use air purifiers at home. Wash bedding regularly to reduce dust mites.
If you suspect you have an allergy, do not wait to do testing as it could be lifesaving.
You deserve to feel safe in your own skin—and at your own table.