POLOKWANE – We have all heard the chug-chug-chug sound when standing in a queue at the bank or out in public.

“The sound of mating frogs,” is how one TikTokker described it.

I am talking about the sound that allergy sufferers make when they scratch their throat with their tongue.

No amphibian-shenanigans, however, are causing this problem as pollen, mold and dust mites are the main culprits in this instance.

Colloquially, people refer to it as sinus problems, hay-fever or just plain old allergies, but the collective medical term is allergic rhinitis.

It affects all ethnicities, ages and socioeconomic groups and, yes, it even affects those living next to the ocean.

The salty moisture of a sea breeze isn’t the panacea of allergies. In fact, the fynbos and other coastal flora of the Cape are notoriously hyper-allergenic.

Allergic rhinitis is a condition where the immune system overreacts to harmless substances in the environment, known as allergens.

This overreaction results in inflammation of the nasal passages, causing symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, congestion, and itching of the nose, throat, and eyes.

If you are thinking these symptoms sound a lot like those of the common cold, you are right. It is notoriously difficult to distinguish between the two in the absence of fever.

In babies and small children, it might even be more difficult as these little ones tend to get up to 10 colds per year. The continual coughing and nasal symptoms can easily be interpreted by parents and doctors as being part of allergies or asthma.

Avoiding the allergen is the first step in treatment. Pollen counts for cities across South Africa can be accessed on www.pollencount.co.za.

To minimise your exposure during peak pollen times, the Allergy Foundation of South Africa (AFSA) suggests the following:

• Keep car and home windows closed where possible
• Choose succulents to keep indoors and avoid allergenic pot plants
• Use nasal snifters and wear a mask when mowing grass
• Do not hang clothes outdoors in the peak pollen season
• Exercise in coastal areas during the tree pollen season

The severity of allergic rhinitis can vary from person to person and can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe.

Mild cases may only require avoidance of the allergen and over-the-counter medication, while more severe cases may require prescription medication and even allergy shots.

Please consult your local doctor if you are suffering from this condition.

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