Look Forward To Spring Without Allergies

By Srinagesh Paluvoi, MD

Allergy & Asthma Affiliates, Inc

More Allergy, Asthma & Infectious Disease Articles

Look Forward To Spring Without Allergies

The arrival of spring is always welcome after the long, cold dreary months of winter. But along with the sunny days, budding trees and flowers comes pollen, sneezing and the irritations of spring allergies.

Approximately 40 percent of the American population suffers from some sort of allergic rhinitis or hay fever. The good news is there is a way to prepare for the months ahead.

How can you tell if you have allergic rhinitis? Here are a few questions that will help you determine if you suffer from allergies

What is allergic rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis is a medical term for an inflammation of the nasal airways (sometimes, including the sinuses, ears, and/or throat) that occurs when you breathe in or are exposed to something to which you are allergic.

How did I get it?

When you have an allergy, it means your immune system is fighting something that would be considered harmless by the immune system of a non-allergic person. For example, while most people can sleep comfortably on a down feather pillow, others may be allergic to the feathers.

What about medicine?

A variety of medications are available to help relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis. These include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal corticosteroid sprays, and allergy shots (also called immunotherapy).

Immunotherapy, commonly called 'allergy shots,' is effective in reducing or eliminating seasonal allergy symptoms in up to 90 percent of patients. Allergies commonly cause sneezing, a runny nose, nasal congestion and itchy watery eyes. These symptoms can lead to loss of sleep and impair performance at work or school. While there is no cure for allergies, immunotherapy may be the next best thing. Allergy shots have been shown to improve allergies, asthma and sinus problems, and may prevent the development of future sensitivities.

The first step for treating allergies is determining the cause of your symptoms. An allergist will use skin testing, a painless and accurate procedure, to identify allergy triggers. Results are generally available within 15-20 minutes.

Allergy shots expose a patient to tiny amounts of allergens over a long period of time, decreasing the body's overreaction to allergy triggers. The serum provided in the shots is customarily mixed for each patient to treat specific allergy triggers.

Patients receiving allergy shots visit their allergist twice a week and the shots are administered in increasing doses until a 'maintenance dose' is reached. The maintenance dose is continued for about three to five years. At the completion of immunotherapy, many patients no longer experience allergic reactions.

If spring makes you miserable, stop suffering. Consult with your physician or allergist today and get out and enjoy the beauty of the season.