It’s that time of year! While we welcome the longer days and lush blooms along the landscape, many of us suffer from the allergies that are a result of it. It is a very common problem with at least two out of 10 Americans suffering from it. Many things cause an allergic response, and not all of it is seasonal either. This time of year is particularly bad for those who suffer from the pollen of trees, weeds and grass. However, there are many different allergens out there, including dust mites, molds, pet dander and cockroaches, that can persist year round.
Signs and symptoms vary in severity from person to person. In some mild cases, a patient may just describe not feeling well. Flu-like symptoms or cold symptoms may mimic an allergic response. Other symptoms are watery or itchy eyes, post nasal drip, itching and runny nose, hives, sneezing and rashes like eczema. In very severe cases, a reaction known as anaphylaxis can occur and may involve the whole body. These symptoms can include diffuse itching, hives, swelling and tightness of the throat, wheezing, or a tingling sensation of the extremities, face and scalp. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening emergency that can result in a collapse of the circulatory system if not caught early. Always seek medical attention if anaphylaxis is suspected.
Nowadays, testing can often be done by simple blood work at your primary care physician’s office to find out if you have allergies, and what may be causing them. One of the best ways to avoid allergic symptoms is to minimize contact with the offending agent. Depending on your allergen profile, your doctor can offer helpful suggestions on how to do this in your daily environment.
If that fails, your doctor can suggest several medications to try. Over-the-counter remedies can be tried, including medications such as Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec and Allegra. Your doctor can also prescribe nasal and ocular preparations in addition to these medications. In addition, a prescription medication such as Singular can be used which is also used as a treatment for asthma. In severe cases, your doctor may refer you to a specialist in the field of Allergy/Immunology to assess whether you may need injections to help control your symptoms. No matter what, don’t suffer! We’ve got a lot of remedies available to help you feel better soon.