Worst Allergy Season Ever

Article by Dr. Roy M. Arnold
21st Century Healthcare
812-402-2003
info@21centuryinc.com

According to an article published in the March 20, 2013 edition of Forbes magazine this spring’s allergy season will be one of the worst on record. Clifford Basset, MD, a spokesman for the American Board of Allergy and Immunology declares this spring is shaping up to be a pollen nightmare due to the early arrival of spring after a mild winter. (And yes, climate changes due to global warming are the culprit, here.)
The Forbes article goes on to say one benefit to all this sneezing is a boom in allergy medication sales, boosting the bottom lines of the companies that make over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, and other pollen-combating tools. The U.S. market for allergy drugs is projected to top $14.7 billion in sales by 2015, according to a report by Global Industry Analysts.

Before all the hand-wringing starts, it’s worthwhile to consider just exactly what allergies are and how they can be treated or even prevented by a few simple steps. You are considered to have an allergy when your body over-reacts to things that most people don’t have a problem with. These things are called allergens and may include pollen, dust, animal dander, mold, or certain chemicals.
The most common manifestation is called Allergic Rhinitis, or commonly Hay Fever. The symptoms are sneezing, coughing, runny nose, itching of the eyes, nose and skin, headache and pressure in the cheeks or forehead, scratchy throat, watery eyes or hives. Hay Fever is a misnomer because it doesn’t cause fever, and usually lasts several weeks or months rather than a few days like a cold. The nasal discharge is thin and watery rather than thick, and sneezing is more common.
Often clues to the type of allergen can be obtained from the time of year the symptoms occur. Tree pollen allergies occur in April and May, grass and weed pollen throughout the summer and ragweed pollen in August and September. Other allergens such as mold, dust and animal dander can cause year-round symptoms.
A visit to your primary health care provider can sort out the reasons for your symptoms and get you started on the road to improvement. Most persons with allergies can be controlled with medication and a few environmental steps to control the allergens. In severe cases, your primary care provider may want you to have specific testing for allergens or to see a specialist in allergic disorders known as an allergist.

Fortunately, there are a number of over the counter medications that are very effective for allergic rhinitis. These include Claritin and Zyrtec which are non-sedating antihistamines. Nasal congestion can be treated with short-term decongestants like pseudoephedrine or nasal sprays. It is important not to use these more than a few days without consulting your primary care provider. Nasal steroid sprays can be prescribed to help prevent the symptoms longer term. Some individuals may not improve sufficiently with these treatments and may need skin testing and desensitization.

Environmental steps are also very important in symptom relief. If you are allergic to pollen, you should consider showering or bathing before bed to wash off any pollen. On dry windy days you may want to avoid going outside. Staying indoors in air conditioning may be a good idea when the pollen count is high.

Mold can be reduced by frequent cleaning of bathrooms and shower curtains with cleaners containing bleach. Keeping the humidity lower than 50% in your house and ensuring good air circulation with ceiling fans may help. Make certain furnace and air conditioner filters are clean. Bathrooms and other damp rooms should not be carpeted.

Minimize dust and the tiny mites that cause allergies by frequent cleaning and dusting. Vacuum cleaners should have a HEPA filter. Wood or tile floors are easier to keep dust free than carpet. Consider installing a high-efficiency air cleaner on your central heating system. Wash all bedding in hot water weekly.

If you have been tested and are allergic to pets, you may want to attempt to control dander before parting with your animals. Keeping the animal clean and brushed and providing it with anti-allergy bedding can reduce dander significantly. Consult your veterinarian for suggestions.

Allergies are certainly no fun and can cause significant illness. Most of the time, they can be controlled by environmental measures and simple medications. It is important that you consult your primary health provider for advice in these matters.
Much of the content for this article was adapted from educational material published by the American Academy of Family Physicians (www.aafp.org) and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (www.aaaai.org)