In his monthly column, Dr. Kent Herbert answers your questions related to health care matters. Simply submit your question to deb@newfalconherald.com. It’s your chance to ask the doc.Question: My allergies are acting up. What can I do to control them?Answer: It is estimated that between 40 and 50 million people in the United States suffer from allergies – about 20 percent of the population. Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the U.S. and account for more than 14 million visits to a doctor’s office annually. Missed work and school is a major complication of uncontrolled allergies, and it is estimated that absenteeism due to allergies costs U.S. companies about $250 million annually.Allergies are caused when your body overreacts to something that it normally wouldn’t react to. This can be something in the environment, such as pollen; something in your diet, like milk; or something in your home, such as pet dander. In addition, the body can react to chemicals in laundry soap, makeup, foods and any other product that comes in contact with the body.Different reactions cause different symptoms. Some people get itchy and watery eyes, others get runny nose and sinus pressure, and some get itchy and blotchy skin, such as hives. Some people, unfortunately, get all of these. Kids will sometimes get dark circles under their eyes, called “allergic shiners,” or use their palm to push their nose up to stop the itching, called the “allergic salute.”The cause of allergies is often seasonal, with spring allergies usually caused by tree pollens; summer allergies caused by weeds and grasses and fall allergies caused by ragweed. In Colorado, unfortunately, many people are exposed to and react to all of these, causing almost year-round allergies. Other common causes of year-round allergies are pet dander and dust mites. Pet dander is the shed skin and protein from any indoor pet, and dust mites are tiny mites that live off of the shed skin of humans. Both of these are typically found in homes and can be airborne, making them potent triggers for allergies.Treatment for allergies consists of three phases:
- The first is avoidance of triggers. If the trigger is pet dander, then avoiding close contact with a pet is a first step, as well as washing your pet at least once a week, using a HEPA air filter and wearing clothing like cotton that does not attract dander. Wearing a mask outside can avoid exposure to environmental triggers, as can closing the windows in your home and avoiding outdoors during high pollen counts. Often the triggers are obvious, but if not, blood or skin testing can be done to identify what one is allergic to.
- If avoidance does not adequately control allergy symptoms, then medications can be used. Antihistamines, such as Benadryl, are the most common type of allergy medicine and are typically available without having to see a doctor. Antihistamines are either short-acting but sedating, such as Benadryl, or long-acting and non-sedating, such as Zyrtec or Claritin. Long-acting antihistamines are generally preferred when allergies are daily, and typically they will control the full range of allergy symptoms. In addition, one can use nasal sprays, such as Afrin, or eye drops in addition to an antihistamine to control focused symptoms. Over-the-counter nasal sprays should only be used for three days in a row, however, or they will cause worsened symptoms when they are discontinued.
- If over-the-counter medications do not work, see your doctor for prescription medications. Prescription nasal sprays, such as Flonase or Rhinocort, and prescription eye drops work very well and are approved for long-term use. Other oral medications, such as Singulair, are available and can often be used in addition to over-the-counter medications to achieve complete relief of allergy symptoms. For severe or persistent allergies, shots are available that work very well to control the full range of allergy symptoms.
