Friday, April 20, 2007
Allergy season has arrived – take precautions
Spring is here and I have already started seeing an increase number of children (and their parents) in my office with allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis is a common problem and often under recognized. I cannot count how many times I have heard “I have had a cold for a month”. Common cold or a viral infection don’t usually last more than few days.
In the United States, as many as 10% of children and 20-30% of the adolescents and adults suffer from allergic rhinitis. Most patients usually start with a sneezing, runny nose, and /or nasal blockage. Sore throat, post natal drip, head ache and tiredness are other complaints that I commonly hear. Itchy, watery eyes, swelling and blueness of the skin below the eyes can be associated symptoms. Over the next couple of days the runny nose will turn into a stuffy nose and the color may change to greenish-yellow. Contrary to common belief, this color change is not a sign of bacterial infection but a natural progression of the illness. On the other hand, persistence of these symptoms for more than two weeks could mean bacterial infection commonly known as sinus infection.
Types of Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is classified as seasonal if symptoms typically occur at a particular time of the year, or perennial if symptoms occur year round. Common antigens (allergens) causing seasonal allergic rhinitis are tree, grass, and weed (especially ragweed) pollens, and mold (fungi). Indoor allergens such as dust mites, cockroaches, animal proteins, and indoor mold (fungi) are frequently associated with perennial rhinitis. The risk of developing allergic rhinitis is much higher in people with asthma or eczema, and in people who have a family history of asthma or rhinitis.
It is often possible to identify the allergens and other triggers that provoke allergic rhinitis by recalling the factors that precede symptoms; noting the time at which symptoms begin; and examining a person's home, work, and school environments. Skin tests may be useful for people whose symptoms are not well controlled with medications and in whom the offending allergen is not obvious.
Treatment and prevention
The treatment of allergic rhinitis includes measures to reduce a person's exposure to known allergens or other triggers, combined with medication. In most people, these measures effectively control the symptoms. Dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, indoor molds, pollens and outdoor molds should be avoided.
Several different classes of drugs counter are available to control symptoms of allergic rhinitis. The severity of symptoms and personal preferences usually guide the selection of specific drugs. Consult with your doctor about these options.
People with allergies and asthma may use certain air cleaners such as air-filtration units, electrostatic precipitators, and ozone generators to eliminate bacteria, mold, and chemical contaminants from the air. Filters on central forced-air systems and furnaces should be changed periodically, according to the manufacturers’ recommendations.
Immunotherapy (desensitization therapy) refers to injections that are given to desensitize a person to known allergens (also known as allergy shots). This therapy is effective for only certain types of allergens, and is both expensive and time-consuming.
Initiation of use of nasal steroids ahead of season changes could be an easy way of prevention of seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Ravi Prakash, MD, is Chief of Pediatrics at Backus Hospital with a private pediatric office in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. E-mail Dr. Prakash and all of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org
In the United States, as many as 10% of children and 20-30% of the adolescents and adults suffer from allergic rhinitis. Most patients usually start with a sneezing, runny nose, and /or nasal blockage. Sore throat, post natal drip, head ache and tiredness are other complaints that I commonly hear. Itchy, watery eyes, swelling and blueness of the skin below the eyes can be associated symptoms. Over the next couple of days the runny nose will turn into a stuffy nose and the color may change to greenish-yellow. Contrary to common belief, this color change is not a sign of bacterial infection but a natural progression of the illness. On the other hand, persistence of these symptoms for more than two weeks could mean bacterial infection commonly known as sinus infection.
Types of Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is classified as seasonal if symptoms typically occur at a particular time of the year, or perennial if symptoms occur year round. Common antigens (allergens) causing seasonal allergic rhinitis are tree, grass, and weed (especially ragweed) pollens, and mold (fungi). Indoor allergens such as dust mites, cockroaches, animal proteins, and indoor mold (fungi) are frequently associated with perennial rhinitis. The risk of developing allergic rhinitis is much higher in people with asthma or eczema, and in people who have a family history of asthma or rhinitis.
It is often possible to identify the allergens and other triggers that provoke allergic rhinitis by recalling the factors that precede symptoms; noting the time at which symptoms begin; and examining a person's home, work, and school environments. Skin tests may be useful for people whose symptoms are not well controlled with medications and in whom the offending allergen is not obvious.
Treatment and prevention
The treatment of allergic rhinitis includes measures to reduce a person's exposure to known allergens or other triggers, combined with medication. In most people, these measures effectively control the symptoms. Dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, indoor molds, pollens and outdoor molds should be avoided.
Several different classes of drugs counter are available to control symptoms of allergic rhinitis. The severity of symptoms and personal preferences usually guide the selection of specific drugs. Consult with your doctor about these options.
People with allergies and asthma may use certain air cleaners such as air-filtration units, electrostatic precipitators, and ozone generators to eliminate bacteria, mold, and chemical contaminants from the air. Filters on central forced-air systems and furnaces should be changed periodically, according to the manufacturers’ recommendations.
Immunotherapy (desensitization therapy) refers to injections that are given to desensitize a person to known allergens (also known as allergy shots). This therapy is effective for only certain types of allergens, and is both expensive and time-consuming.
Initiation of use of nasal steroids ahead of season changes could be an easy way of prevention of seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Ravi Prakash, MD, is Chief of Pediatrics at Backus Hospital with a private pediatric office in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. E-mail Dr. Prakash and all of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org
# posted by ----------------- @ 3:57 PM 
