Q. It's spring. I'm itching my eyes, my nose is running, it's allergy season again. Can you help me?A. Seasonal Allergies are one of the most common medical complaints. It is estimated that 15-20% of adults suffer from some degree of seasonal allergies. Although they can come on at any age, most people will know by 20 years of age if they have them. The exact, complicated mechanism of how allergies is caused is thought to be well understood. Basically, in some individuals, the body launches an immune reaction to certain things floating in the air. This starts a well characterized set of reactions, the end result being the release of a chemical called histamine from certain cells called mast cells. It is the histamine which is thought to be responsible for the majority of allergic symptoms including:
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose, throat, and roof of the mouth
- Watery nasal discharge (yuck!)
- Tearing from the eyes
- Temporary loss of smell and taste
- Occasionally: headache or earacheWhile the way the allergy is caused is well known, it's harder to understand why some people get allergies and others do not. It is clear that in some cases allergies tend to 'run in the family', often associated with asthma and skin rashes (eczema) in a condition called 'atopy'.
Certain particles are common causes of allergies. Ragweed pollen, tree pollen, grass pollen, and mold spores are common causes of seasonal allergies. Household irritants such as house dust, pet dander, and indoor mold may cause allergies that last all year round, so called perrenial allergies.
TREATMENT
The first treatment is always to avoid the precipitating factor, which may mean vacuuming the house, giving away your flowering plants, and finding a new home for Fido. Often this alone is enough to relieve the symptoms, and no further treatment is necessary.
The mainstay of drug treatment is anti-histamine medications. These medications help to block the effect of the evil histamine and often relieve many of the symptoms. Although there are MANY anti-histamines on the market, no single medication is ideal for everyone. Older medications such as Benadryl, can work well for many people and are inexpensive, but may cause drowsiness and require taking several pills per day. Newer medications such as Claritin and Reactine may cause less drowsiness and allow once-per-day dosing, but are considerably more expensive.
In select cases, usually when the allergy is severe and unavoidable, a long series of injections may by used in attempt to lessen the body's reaction to the offending particle. However, these injections are not always successful, and may take years to complete.
Bottom line? Seasonal allergies are a common complaint, which is often treatable by avoidance and simple over the counter medications. However, if the symptoms are severe, or you are taking anti-histamine medications for long periods of time, it may be best to discuss your condition with your doctor.
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