Flowers are not the only thing in bloom this time of year. 2.4 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies according to the Center for Disease Control.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America defines an allergy as “when the body’s immune system sees a substance as harmful and overreacts to it. The substances that causes allergic reactions are allergens. When someone has allergies, their immune system makes an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies respond to allergens. The symptoms that result are an allergic reaction.”   

For the library’s books, ebooks and articles on symptoms, treatment and prevention of both seasonal and food allergies, simply type “Allergies” in our catalog search bar.   

We also offer members our Health and Wellness database for full-text articles of nursing and allied health journals, pamphlets, newsletters, periodicals, newspapers, encyclopedias, and more. 

Click on the link above to access the database through Power Library, Pennsylvania’s Electronic Library.  Enter your library card number when prompted.   To browse the many databases offered through this service, click on the Power Library icon in the top right corner of the page, then click on “Find e resources – list all e resources.”

Search medical websites such as Mayo Clinic, the Foundation listed above, and, locally, UPMC Pinnacle for useful information about seasonal allergies.

And if you’re deciding whether to picnic or not to picnic on that beautiful breezy day, first get the daily pollen count at pollen.com.   Enter your zip code in the search bar for results.  For even deeper reporting,  Pollenlibrary.com lists currently active Dauphin County trees, weeds and grass allergens.

Wishing you an allergy free season!