What are allergies?
Allergies
are usually caused by your body overreacting
to particles in the air such as pollen, mold,
dust or animal dander. The symptoms of
allergies include itchy and watery eyes,
sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, fatigue or
headaches. You can sometimes determine the
cause of an allergy by recognizing when your
symptoms occur. People who suffer year round
are usually allergic to indoor allergens such
as pet dander or dust. If you have symptoms
during a specific time of the year you
probably are allergic to a type of pollen or
mold that is around during that time. Tree
pollen usually arrives in the early spring,
mold in the mid summer and grasses in the
late spring and fall. The amount of outdoor
allergens, pollen and mold, dramatically
drops off after the first or second hard
frost, usually the second or third week in
October in Cincinnati.
What testing can be done?
You
may require referral to an Allergist for skin
testing or your doctor may order a blood test
called a RAST test to see what exact what you
are allergic to. This will allow you and your
doctor to devise ways to avoid those
substances.
Prevention tips
The best way to treat your allergies is to
avoid those things you are allergic to. If
your symptoms occur during a particular
season:
- limit the time you spend outside when pollen counts are highest
- keep your car windows and house windows closed
- use an air conditioner to filter pollen from the air
Symptoms brought on by dust
- keeping your house as dust free as possible
- avoiding carpeting and upholstered furniture
- avoiding feather pillows
- covering your pillows, mattress and box springs with special plastic covers to reduce dust
- washing all bedding in hot water
Symptoms brought on my mold
Symptoms
caused by mold spores can be reduced by:
- using your air conditioner
- keeping your humidifier below 50%
- cleaning your air filters frequently
Symptoms brought on by pets
If you
are allergic to a pet:
- remove the pet from the home
- keep out of the bedroom
- consider finding new home for your pet, if allergies are severe and not relieved with medicine
Treatment Options
Antihistamines
are
medications that block a potent chemical
involved in causing inflammation during an
allergic reaction called histamine. These are
the most commonly used medications to treat
allergies and hayfever. If you have itchy
eyes, antihistamine eye drops are available
without a doctor's prescription.
Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine, will temporarily open congested nasal passages. They can cause jitteriness and difficulty sleeping.
Nasal steroids are also an effective way to block inflammation in the nose and reduce sneezing and congestion. They are only available with a doctor's prescription. They can be used alone or in combination with an antihistamine.
Allergy shots may be your only alternative if all else fails. You will likely need to see an allergist and you will require testing to see exactly what you are allergic against. Then you will be given a series of injections with a small dose of the purified material to which you are allergic. Your immune system develops a tolerance for that allergen and when you are exposed to it you no longer react by having allergy symptoms. You will need to continue to get repeat injections for this treatment to work.
Talk to your doctor to find out what the best options are for you to keep allergy symptoms in control.
Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine, will temporarily open congested nasal passages. They can cause jitteriness and difficulty sleeping.
Nasal steroids are also an effective way to block inflammation in the nose and reduce sneezing and congestion. They are only available with a doctor's prescription. They can be used alone or in combination with an antihistamine.
Allergy shots may be your only alternative if all else fails. You will likely need to see an allergist and you will require testing to see exactly what you are allergic against. Then you will be given a series of injections with a small dose of the purified material to which you are allergic. Your immune system develops a tolerance for that allergen and when you are exposed to it you no longer react by having allergy symptoms. You will need to continue to get repeat injections for this treatment to work.
Talk to your doctor to find out what the best options are for you to keep allergy symptoms in control.