S E C T I O N S

Spring Allergy Update

• Pollen allergy affects 10% of the U.S. population and effects 26 million people!
• 9.2 million office visits per year are for allergic rhinitis.
• Estimated cost of hayfever in 1990 was 1.8 billion dollars (1999-8 billion.)
• More than 50 million people in the U.S. skin test positive to pollen, mites, molds and danders.

What can we do?

• Close the windows at bedtime! (pollen is released between 5:00 and 10:00am.)
• Exercise in the afternoon.
• After working in the yard or garden, shower and change clothes.
• Know what you are allergic to.
• Ask your family physician or internist for a referral to an allergist.
• Ask for nonsedating prescriptions drug relief.
• Be familiar with the proper technique for using nasal corticosteroids.

What are the quality of life issues?

• Poor sleep patterns result in daytime fatique, irritability and poor concentration.
• Fatigue and sleepiness compound the effects of allergies.
• Carrying around tissues to deal with a nose that waters constantly is a nuisance.
• Sneezing time after time is exhausting.
• Associated symptoms in clued watery, itchy red eyes palatial itch, ear itching and plugging all of which can be hard to deal with!

What is available now?

• Nonsedating products i.e. antihistamines such as Claritin and Allerga as well as combinations with decongestants.
• Topical (local) intra-nasal steroids may significantly relieve congestion, itching, watering of nose and eyes and sneezing.
• They require proper technique to minimize side effects such as bleeding, stinging and burning.
• Be prepared!

o Ask your physician questions.
o Try to connect repeated bouts of sinusitis with nasal symptoms in and around the infection.
o Ear plugging, popping and itching may be connected to Eustachian tube dysfunction secondary to chronic or acute allergy inflammation.

Finally:

Our understanding of hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) has improved greatly in recent years.

Stay tuned!  Modifiers of the allergic reaction end of inflammatory cells are being tested at present.