Living with Seasonal Allergies
by Amy Kingery, Public Relations & Communication Coordinator, Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center
Sneezing. Runny nose. Nasal congestion. Watery eyes. Itchy throat. All can be unpleasant signs of an allergy attack. Common culprits include plant pollens, molds, household dust, animal dander, industrial chemicals, foods, medicines and insect stings.
Allergic reactions often occur in the skin, eyes, lining of the stomach, nose, sinuses, throat and lungs - places where special immune system cells are stationed to fight off invaders that are inhaled, swallowed or come in contact with the skin.
Some of the most common allergies are due to airborne substances, such as pollen and molds. Symptoms of airborne allergies include: sneezing; runny nose; coughing; postnasal drip; itchy eyes, nose and throat; watery eyes; and conjunctivitis.
People with allergy symptoms may suspect they have a cold. It's important to see a doctor about any respiratory illness that lasts longer than a week or two. When it appears the symptoms are caused by an allergy, the patient should see a physician who understands the diagnosis and treatment of allergies.
Approaches to helping people with allergies include: advice on ways to avoid the allergen as much as possible; prescription medication to relieve symptoms; and providing a series of allergy shots. Although there is no cure for allergies, one of these strategies, or a combination of the three, may provide varying degrees of relief from allergy symptoms. Following are some tips on how to live with seasonal allergies:
Avoidance
§ Remain indoors in the morning when the outdoor pollen levels are highest. Sunny, windy days can also be troublesome.
§ When working outdoors, wear a face mask designed to filter pollen out of the air and keep it from reaching your nasal passages.
§Avoid locations that are dry and dusty or where crops are being harvested.
§ Dust-proof your bedroom by avoiding wall-to-wall carpets, venetian blinds, down-filled blankets, feather pillows, dogs, cats and closets full of clothing.
§ Frequently dust with a damp cloth or oiled mop.
§ Use a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency filter.
§ Use air conditioners in your home and car to help prevent pollen and mold allergens from entering.
Medications
For people who cannot adequately avoid airborne allergens, symptoms may be controlled with medications.
§ Antihistamines counter the effects of histamine, which is released by the mast cells in the body's tissues and contributes to allergy symptoms. They can be useful in relieving sneezing and itching in the nose, throat and eyes, and in helping to reduce nasal swelling and drainage.
§ Topical nasal steroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that help to stop the allergic reaction. They help to reduce the number of mast cells in the nose and reduce mucus secretion and nasal swelling.
§ Decongestants can help re-establish drainage of the nasal passages to relieve symptoms such as congestion, swelling, excess secretions and discomfort in the sinus areas that can be caused by nasal allergies.
§ Immunotherapy, or a series of allergy shots, is a treatment that has a chance of reducing the allergy symptoms over a longer period of time. Patients receive injections under the skin of increasing concentrations of the allergen(s) to which they are sensitive. Your doctor will decide if this method is right for you.
If you suspect you're suffering from allergies, see your doctor about best diagnosis and treatment options for you.
