Tips for Surviving the Upcoming Allergy Season

Thanks to this season’s heavy rains, we’re seeing an unprecedented super bloom of wild flowers. And where there are wild flowers, there is pollen and where there’s pollen, there are allergies. Juniper and oak trees are the major pollens, and soon the new grass will make it worse.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, “An allergy is when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance, called an allergen. It could be something you eat, inhale into your lungs, inject into your body or touch. This reaction could cause coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose and a scratchy throat. In severe cases, it can cause rashes, hives, low blood pressure, breathing trouble, asthma attacks and even death.” And according to the CDC, “Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the US with an annual cost in excess of $18 billion. More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year.

The good news is that there are many things allergy sufferers can do to help mitigate allergic symptoms.

Treating an Allergy

Treating an allergy depends on the severity of the organ involved. If the nose is involved (allergic rhinitis) and the symptom is not serious, I typically recommend trying a non-sedating over-the-counter antihistamine such as Loratadine, Fexofenadine, Cetirizine, or Levocetirizine. Do not take sedating antihistamine like Diphenhydramine as the medication can affect concentration and the ability to operate heavy machinery like car. Also, chronic usage of sedating antihistamine is associated with dementia, based on a study for patients over 65-years old. If rhinitis persists, one can use an over-the-counter nasal steroid, such as Fluticasone or Triamcinolone, however this type of medication should be stopped if nosebleed occurs. In addition, if you have glaucoma, you will need to consult your doctor before using it. If symptoms still persist, it is recommended to see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and advance treatment including allergen immunotherapy.

If the allergy is affecting the lungs and includes coughing or wheezing, it is more serious and may indicate asthma, which can be life-threatening if not treated appropriately. In this instance, you should consult your doctor for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

If rhinitis is not controlled with the above recommendations, you may have sinusitis, an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, which may be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, allergies or an autoimmune reaction. Other conditions that can mimic an allergy include nasal polyps, reflux and malignancy.

If the condition persists perennially (all year long), or the symptoms are worse inside your home, you may be allergic to to dust, mold and/or pets living inside the home. In this instance, special dust-proof encasement of pillows/mattress is helpful. Washing blankets with hot water will also help. To keep dust mites at a minimum, it is recommended to maintain indoor humidity below 50 percent. This can be achieved by using a dehumidifier. Vacuuming the carpet may also help but it is not as effective as special dust-proof encasement of mattress and pillows. If you have cat/dog allergies, it will help to keep the pets out of bedroom, and using a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner will also help. If the specific allergens within the home are not clear, a skin test from your doctor can help to identify specific allergens.

If you are allergic to pollens -- usually patients are symptomatic during spring when weather is good and not raining -- closing windows in bedroom at night may help. If driving, closing the car’s windows and using the AC system during spring will help. If that is not sufficient try the medications suggested above.

To see monitor pollen levels in your community, the Weather Channel offers a helpful application called the “Allergy Tracker.”

Bio: Dr. Schuman Tam, MD at Marin General Hospital and UCSF