Students at California State University, Fresno battle allergies due to pollution and increased airborne dust from high winds, according to University Health and Psychological Services Nurse Practitioner, Kay Busby.

University Health and Psychological Services reported an increase in patients suffering from allergies and asthma. Clinicians identified 98 student visits in September as allergy related and 78 allergy visits in October. However, in October the majority of those visits occurred after Oct. 14.

“It’s hard for me to focus on homework and stay awake in class,” senior liberal studies major Sandda Vang said. In order to combat her watery and itchy eyes, sneezing and runny nose, Vang takes allergy medicine but it makes her drowsy.

Busby, who has worked for an allergy institute for 10 years, said there are many factors contributing to students’ poor allergies this season.

“Fresno is surrounded by the Sierra Mountains on the east and coastal mountains on the west,” Busby said. “It creates kind of a bowl and [Fresno is] sitting down at the bottom of it.” She said that the Sierra’s trap the pollution in and around the Fresno area.

The lack of rain is also another contributing factor to poor air quality Busby said because rain helps keep the dust down. Winds and farmers working the ground make the dust airborne.

“We also have Highway 99 going right through the Central Valley,” Busby said. “A lot of the pollution comes from the exhaust.”

Junior accounting major Carlos Fuentes said he’s gotten six bloody noses in the last two months.

“One of them started in class and I had to leave.” This is Fuentes’ first semester at Fresno State after moving from the Bay Area.

Allergy related symptoms and colds are often difficult to distinguish, however, Busby said colds create body aches, fever and usually last five to seven days. In comparison, allergies don’t come with a fever and may last longer than a week.

If a student’s allergies become severe, the University Health and Psychological Services may prescribe medication.

“My allergies have been bad,” said Lesisita Fifita, a first-year sociology major. “I missed two days of school.”

Fifita said his runny nose and a sore throat led to an infection that he received treatment for from the University Health and Psychological Services.

Busby’s tips to cope with allergy season
•Pollens exist year-round and may travel up to 10 miles. They have the highest count from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m., so students allergic to pollen should not sleep with their windows open.

•Dust and vacuum at least once a week.

•Cover trashcans and don’t leave dishes in the sink. This prevents critters from creating feces in students’ living spaces. Many people are allergic to feces created by cockroaches.

•Limit live plants in the household if residents are allergic to mold. The mold is caused by the moisture and becomes airborne.

•Avoid exercising outdoors after 12 p.m. This is when pollution rates are the highest.