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Seasonal Allergies
“April
showers bring May Flowers. May flowers
bring--Allergies?” Are you prone to Mother Earth’s season of
procreation? You are not alone. Approximately 20 to 25% of
the people in the U.S. suffer the symptoms of hay fever and
represent 10% of all patient visits to a physician. The
actual cause of your allergic symptoms stems from an immune
response to a certain element in the environment called
allergens. Seasonal allergies are usually caused by the
pollination of plants, and when inhaled, cause most of the
symptoms associated with hay fever.
Plants
capable of causing allergies produce large amounts of pollen
in unattractive flowers that depend on wind for
pollination. Pollen from attractive, pleasantly scented
flowers (such as a rose) are not allergenic, since these
flowers depend on insects for pollination. The so-called
“rose cold” is usually due to grass pollen, which is present
during that period of time when roses are in bloom.
When you
inhale an allergen (such as pollen), a chemical called
histamine is released from cells in the nasal cavity,
resulting in nasal congestion, sneezing and itching.
Antihistamines are often prescribed by your physician and
are very effective in blocking the effects of the allergen
and may diminish these symptoms.
Nasal
steroid inhalers are another line of defense in the
treatment of your allergy symptoms. They are successful in
treating hay fever and are very safe to use. Most allergy
specialists recommend initiated therapy about a week before
the start of your relevant pollen season. Many patients can
be free of allergy symptoms for the entire pollen
season. These steroids work by inhibiting the nasal mucosal
membranes response to the allergen, even when given only 1
hour before exposure.
When nasal
steroids are used in combination with an oral antihistamine,
nearly 90% of hay fever patients will respond and are
satisfied with the relief. However, many patients seek
medical advice only after the pollen season has started.
These patients become frustrated and abandon the spray after
2 to 3 doses, because it did nothing to help their
symptoms. Their experience with over-the-counter nasal
sprays (such as Afrin) resulted in immediate response
-usually within 5 to10 minutes after spraying. If you are
prescribed a nasal steroid and an antihistamine, the full
benefits of its’ use may not be appreciated for up to 3
weeks.
Patients
who fail to respond to nasal inhalers and antihistamines
will often times be referred to a specialist that may help
confirm the diagnosis of hay fever. Skin testing using
solutions of the suspected allergens may identify what is
causing the symptoms. The treatment of choice is removal of
the allergen from the environment. This task is easy if your
allergy is to the dander of your pet cat or dog. In hay
fever, most patients are often sensitive to numerous
allergens in the environment. Allergy specialists may
choose immunotherapy (allergy shots) with sufficient doses
of the appropriate allergens to control your symptoms. This
form of therapy has been shown to reduce symptoms in 95% of
patients with allergies due to ragweed or grass pollens.
15% of the
general population have positive allergy skin test to one or
more allergens and may not have symptoms of an allergy.
Often times they are given the diagnosis of vasomotor
rhinitis. This is defined as nasal symptoms occurring in
response to a vague stimuli such as a change in weather,
humidity and temperature. Strong odors and even the soap
aisle in the supermarket can provoke the symptoms. Vasomotor
rhinitis may not respond to the traditional medication used
to treat allergic rhinitis. A significant number of patients
with vasomotor rhinitis will respond to nasal steroids or
cromulin inhalers, however. If their symptoms are
year-round, most physicians will prescribe them as the side
effects are minimal.
If you or
someone you know is experiencing the symptoms of seasonal
allergies, contact your physician in order to exclude other
causes of your nasal stuffiness other than allergic
rhinitis. If you are given the diagnosis of “hay fever”,
rest assured your physician may have the ability to relieve
your suffering. If you know you have allergies to ragweed,
dust mites, molds or pollens, take the necessary precautions
outlined above in order to become free of allergy symptoms.
You might be able to avoid the pain and suffering associated
with allergies such as sinus or ear infections and the
expenses associated with their
treatment.
Content
of articles can only be used with writer attribution to Dr.
Kevin Weiland.
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