|
Allergy Relief
Itching for Some Allergy Relief?
Pollen grains from trees, grasses and weeds can float through the air in spring,
summer or fall. But along with staying on mission to fertilize plants and tree
flowers, pollen particles often end up in our noses, eyes, ears and mouths.
The result can be sneezing spells, watery eyes, congestion and an itchy throat.
Pollen allergy, commonly known as hay fever, affects about 1 out of 10 Americans,
according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
For some, symptoms can be controlled with occasional over-the-counter (OTC)
medicine. Others have reactions that may more seriously disrupt the quality
of their lives. Allergies can trigger or worsen asthma and lead to other health
problems such as sinusitis and ear infections in children.
"You can distinguish allergy symptoms from a cold because a cold tends
to be short-lived, results in thicker nasal secretions, and is usually associated
with sore throat, hoarseness, malaise, and fever," says Badrul Chowdhury,
M.D., Ph.D., an allergist and immunologist in the FDA's Division of Pulmonary
and Allergy Drug Products. Many people with seasonal allergic rhinitis notice
a seasonal pattern with their symptoms, but others may need a doctor's help
to find out for sure that pollen is the source of their misery. If these symptoms
crop up year-round, dust mites, pet dander or another indoor allergen could
be the culprit. This is known as perennial allergic rhinitis.
Chowdhury suggests you see a doctor if you're experiencing allergies for the
first time, if your symptoms interfere with your ability to function, if you
don't find relief in over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, or if you experience allergy
symptoms on a chronic basis. You may need an allergy test, the most common of
which is a skin test that shows how you react to different allergens, including
specific pollen allergens like ragweed or grass pollen.
Once you know you have seasonal allergies, probably the most important step
you can take is to avoid pollen as much as possible. Try to stay indoors when
pollen levels are highest. In the fall ragweed pollen season, pollen levels
are highest in the morning. During the grass pollen season in the spring and
summer, pollen levels are highest in the evening. Pollen counts measure how
much pollen is in the air and are expressed in grains of pollen per square meter
of air collected during a 24-hour period.
It may also help to keep windows closed in your house and car and to run the
air conditioner. If possible, avoid mowing grass and other yard work.
Of course there will be times when pollen is inescapable. Here's a rundown
of drug options that can help you survive the sneezing season:
- Nasal corticosteroids: These are typically sprayed or inhaled into
the nose once or twice a day. The newer drugs in this category are Nasonex
(mometasone furoate) and Flonase (fluticasone propionate). Side effects may
include stinging in the nose.
- Oral antihistamines: These drugs, which are available in both OTC
and prescription forms, counteract the action of histamine, a substance released
in the body during an allergic reaction. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Chlor-Trimeton
(chlorpheniramine) are examples of OTC antihistamines. Drowsiness is a common
side effect, so don't take the drug when you have to drive, operate machinery,
or engage in other activities that require you to be alert. You could try
newer and relatively non-sedating antihistamines that are available by prescription
such as Clarinex (desloratadine), Claritin (loratadine), or Allegra (fexofenadine).
Zyrtec (cetirizine), also available by prescription, has sedation frequency
slightly higher than the relatively non-sedating antihistamines mentioned
above. Last May, the FDA held a public hearing that discussed whether Claritin,
Allegra and Zyrtec should be moved from prescription to OTC status. The FDA
has not made a final decision yet.
- Decongestants: Decongestants are available both by prescription
and over-the-counter. These drugs come in oral and nasal spray forms, and
are sometimes recommended in combination with antihistamines. Antihistamines
alone do not have an effect on nasal congestion. Allegra D (fexofenadine and
pseudoephedrine) is an example of a prescription drug that contains both an
antihistamine (fexofenadine) and a decongestant (pseudoephedrine). Note that
prolonged use of nose sprays and drops can result in even worse nasal congestion.
- Non-steroidal nasal sprays: NasalCrom (cromolyn sodium) nasal spray
which is available without a prescription, can help prevent symptoms of allergic
rhinitis if used before symptoms start. It's a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drug and needs to be used more often than the nasal steroids, three to four
times a day.
If you have any other health conditions, check with your doctor first to determine
which OTC medicine to take. For example, people with uncontrolled high blood
pressure or serious heart disease shouldn't take decongestants unless directed
by a doctor.
Immunotherapy, commonly known as allergy shots, is also an option for treating
allergic rhinitis. Candidates for immunotherapy might include those who don't
respond to either OTC or prescription medications, or who suffer from frequent
complications of allergic rhinitis.
According to NIAID, about 80 percent of people with hay fever will experience
a significant reduction in their symptoms and their need for medication within
a year of starting allergy shots.
"Discuss the option of immunotherapy with your doctor thoroughly because
immunotherapy is not for everybody, and there is a significant time commitment
involved," Chowdhury says.
The process involves receiving injections of small amounts of allergens that
are considered to be responsible for your symptoms. The injections are given
over at least three to five years. The doses are gradually increased so that
the body builds up immunity to the allergen, with discontinuation being based
on minimal symptoms over two consecutive seasons of exposure.
Chowdhury points out that because allergy shots have been around since the
early 1900s, they have been grandfathered in. "They have not been tested
rigorously in accordance with current FDA standards."
To check on pollen counts in your area, tune in to your local weather reports
or contact the National Allergy Bureau, which monitors pollen counts throughout
the United States. The Bureau is run by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma,
and Immunology. Contact 1-800-9-POLLEN (1-800-976-5536) or visit www.aaaai.org.
More information about Allergy Relief:
Information About Allergies
Itching for Some Allergy Relief?
|
 |
