TIPS FOR PREVENTING/MANAGING ALLERGIES AND ASTHMA
HOW CAN YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAVING A COLD AND HAVING ALLERGIES?
Some allergy symptoms like congestion are also common with colds, so a lot of people have a hard time telling the difference between them. In fact, a recent survey found that nearly half of allergy sufferers (49%) find it difficult to differentiate allergies from a cold.
It also found that one-third of patients (33%) think sneezing, runny nose and congestion must signal a cold – but that’s a misconception. It’s important to understand the differences between allergies and colds, so you can get the most appropriate treatment and find the relief you need.
One of the biggest differences is duration. Cold and flu symptoms are finite and run their course in about 7-10 days. Meanwhile, allergies can wax and wane or just persist all the time. Allergies can also be more prevalent at certain times of year – so if you find yourself sniffling and sneezing at the start of spring each year, it’s probably time to see an allergist for a proper diagnosis.
Also, symptoms like itchy eyes/nose/ears are typically associated with allergies, not colds. Meanwhile, colds can involve symptoms like a sore throat and slight fever that aren’t as common with allergies. Allergy secretions also tend to run clear, whereas cold secretions may be more yellow/mucousy.
HOW ARE ALLERGIES DIAGNOSED?
Allergy diagnoses are made by board-certified allergists, based on a patient’s medical history, a physical exam and the results of an allergy test. Allergy tests are typically done as skin tests where the surface of the skin is pricked or scratched with tiny amounts of common allergens. When a scratch test cannot be performed, a blood test can also be done.
Many people may have a suspicion of their triggers based on their allergy symptoms occurring during certain times of year or around specific things like a dog or fresh-cut grass. If your symptoms are more year-round, it might be more challenging for you. But keeping a mental diary can help an allergist diagnose your triggers along with either a scratch test or blood work.
HOW CAN PEOPLE FIND OUT WHAT THEIR ALLERGY TRIGGERS ARE?
Allergy tests detect a patient’s sensitivity to common allergy triggers, such as pollen, dust mites, animal dander, and mold. If you are sensitive to a certain allergen, you may develop redness, swelling or itching at the test site. Once the test is complete, your allergist can tell you what your individual allergy triggers are and give you advice on ways to avoid them in your daily life.
WHAT ARE THE BEST TREATMENTS FOR ALLERGIES?
I consider the cornerstone of treating allergies to be a mix of a 24-hour oral antihistamine, an intranasal corticosteroid, and some sort of allergy eye drop. For my patients, I often recommend over-the-counter antihistamines like Allegra (which offers fast, non-drowsy relief) and Xyzal (which relieves allergies all night and all day, so you can get a better night’s sleep and have more productive day) or nasal sprays like Nasacort (which offers relief of nasal allergy symptoms like congestion). If allergic asthma is an issue, an asthma medication like an inhaler may be needed, as well. It’s important to learn about your options and find what works for you, so you can take back control.
WHY DO SOME ALLERGY SEASONS TEND TO BE WORSE THAN OTHERS?
The reality is that allergy season is getting worse each year with higher pollen levels, due in part to climate change – and this year is no different. Warmer temperatures and higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere help plants grow and produce pollen, which then trigger allergy symptoms.
Essentially, the moisture of winter followed by warmer longer days with more sunlight lead to early and vigorous pollination, which then leads to intense pollen levels when full-blown spring hits. So even if spring is “delayed,” you’re still going to experience those dreaded symptoms.
WHAT ARE SOME HOUSE CLEANING TIPS FOR INDOOR ALLERGIES?
First, when cleaning your house, it’s a good idea to wear a face mask and gloves to avoid contact with allergens as you go. It’s also important to wash your bedding weekly in hot water to help get rid of dust mites. In addition, I recommend using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, which will help ensure allergens stay sealed within the vacuum instead of blowing them back into the air.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA?
Common asthma symptoms include coughing, difficult breathing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and wheezing (although it’s important to know that even if wheezing is not present, asthma can still be the diagnosis). Nocturnal cough is also a classic symptom of asthma, especially in children.
CAN A PERSISTENT COUGH BE A SYMPTOM OF ALLERGIES?
Absolutely. A cough from a cold or virus should clear up in a couple of weeks. But if your cough persists or shows up consistently or in a pattern like every night in bed or each spring, it’s likely caused by an allergy.
WHAT CAUSES ASTHMA?
Asthma can be caused by exposure to allergens like pollen. Asthma can also be caused by nonallergic factors like stress, exercise, changing seasons and temperature changes, including humid or cold weather. Asthma can also have a genetic component like all alllergic conditions.
ARE THERE THINGS I CAN CHANGE IN MY LIFE TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ASTHMA?
Yes, you can reduce your risk by not smoking and avoiding second-hand smoke at all costs. Also, see a board-certified allergist who can help you identify your triggers, so you can minimize your exposure and start effective treatment. Compliance with your asthma plan and medications is so essential, too!
WHAT KIND OF TESTS WILL I NEED TO MONITOR MY ASTHMA?
Your doctor can provide you with a peak flow meter, which can give you a daily and as-needed snapshot of how you are doing. Keeping a symptoms diary and documenting triggers, along with breathing tests your doctor can do in the office, will all help your doctor assess how your asthma is doing and identify the best treatment approach.
Read Dr. Ogden’s answers to your ‘Text Tom’ questions on the next page.
Are we born with allergies or do they come as we age? Started sneezing more in my 50s, related to changes in weather.
New onset adult allergies are more common now than ever because there are more severe seasons with really high pollen levels. Many of us are born with a genetic pre-disposition to allergies – meaning if your parents had some form of allergy, you’re more likely to develop them as well. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t have them start to exhibit as an adult. One of the biggest things in my practice is people like you, in their 50s, coming in with allergies for the first time due to the higher pollen counts or the fact that they only started to exhibit allergies later in life.
Is it possible to grow out of allergies and/or pick up new allergies?
It is definitely possible to pick up new allergies. If you’re an existing allergy sufferer, you’re likely to pick up new allergies with continued exposure to new allergens. Growing out of existing allergies is less common unless you have a history of getting allergy shots. Otherwise, allergies can be a lifelong battle.
My eyes run constantly due to my allergies. What can I do?
Hygiene plays an important role in controlling allergies. There are a few important steps that you can take to help. When you come home from being outside or on-the-go, rinse your eyes with saline wash for the eyes to remove the pollen. You can also use baby wipes to gently wipe down your eyelids and eyelashes once you come from outside. You should also check in with a board-certified allergist who can prescribe effective allergy eye drops based on your symptoms.
What’s the best way to get tested for what you’re allergic to? A blood test or one of those prick skin tests?
Both tests are effective at diagnosing allergies. The difference is that the prick test can be done right in your allergist’s office and you can get immediate results. The blood test is more invasive and takes a few days for results. The prick test requires that you stop certain medications such as antihistamines for a few days because they can interfere with the results of the test. Therefore, the blood test might be a better option for allergy sufferers who can’t tolerate going even one day without their medications.
Can allergies affect vertigo?
Yes, they can because our vestibular system in our inner ear affects balance and contributes to vertigo. Because allergies can lead to fluid collection in the same area, it can worsen vertigo.
My son recently had his Parotid gland swell could allergies have caused this?
Keeping your asthma under control requires taking your medication consistently whether you’re experiencing symptoms or not. You should always start asthma medications before your typical flare up season so that you’re prepared. If you have asthma, you should also see a board-certified allergist to identify your allergy triggers because air-borne allergens can trigger a flare-up or attack. If you know what you’re allergic to, you’re able to control and avoid exposure to those triggers.
Why do allergy medications work so well when I’m treating my cold? I get a cold the same time every year that lasts only 3 days.
Some allergy medications address the same symptoms that you experience when you have a common cold (e.g., nasal congestion, post-nasal drip) so you might get relief and feel better while taking those medications. Ultimately, a cold goes away after several days whereas allergies can linger longer.
I have been diagnosed with asthma and allergies. I’m only treated by my family practitioner. Would it be a good idea to see a specialist on a regular basis also?
It depends on how severe your asthma and allergies are and the level of care you’re getting with your family practitioner. I always recommend seeing a board-certified allergist because they are narrowly focused on allergies and can pick up on nuances in your condition to target the appropriate treatment. They also can perform allergy testing and thoroughly interpret the results to ensure you are getting a treatment tailored to your specific needs.
I have ventricular tachycardia (on beta blockers, flecainide) what OTC allergy medicine will avoid rapid heartbeat?
It is very important to speak with your doctor so that you can get a medication that does not interfere with anything else you might be taking or that takes into account any other conditions you might have.
I suffer horribly from dust allergies. Are dust mites live creatures?
Yes, dust mites are living organisms and are very much a part of our environment. There’s nothing we can do to get rid of them completely, but you can protect yourself from exposure. Consider protecting your mattresses with allergen encasings, washing your bedsheets in hot water every week, making sure your bedroom is carpet free, minimizing the amounts of upholstery and curtains and wiping down hard surfaces regularly.
Can allergens trigger asthma symptoms? Sometimes when walking outside, I experience breathing difficulty after 10 or 15 minutes of walking. After coming back inside symptoms subside after a short time.
Absolutely! Asthma flare-ups or attacks are often a side-effect of springtime allergies and walking outside on a high pollen day can trigger asthma symptoms. It’s important that you see a doctor who can treat your asthma with proper medication. I recommend my patients take their “as-needed” inhaler 15 to 30 minutes before going outside or coming into contact with a trigger, along with the medications they are directed to take daily.
What can I take for night time nasal congestion? I get congested then I’m sleeping with my mouth open then I snore.
A: There are great over-the-counter options including Xyzal® Allergy 24HR and Nasacort® Allergy 24HR. Xyzal® Allergy 24HR is an antihistamine that provides relief of sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes and itchy nose or throat. It provides all night and all day allergy relief that can help you get a better night’s sleep and be more productive during the day. Nasacort® Allergy 24HR provides 24-hour relief of sneezing, itchy runny nose and congestion. It does this by blocking the body’s responses to allergens and reducing inflammation in the nasal passages.
How do you get rid of a lingering cough that is associated with allergies?
The lingering cough from allergies is usually due to post-nasal drip from inflamed nasal glands and sinuses or allergic asthma. I recommend continuing to stay on an intranasal steroid spray like Nasacort® Allergy 24HR or an asthma inhaler. It can take a couple weeks to overcome the cough, so check in with your doctor on the duration of treatment.
Since any one can have a service dog; how can we control our allergies in public? My daughter is SEVERELY allergic to pet fur & dander but the dogs are everywhere. What is she to do? She already has to take allergy meds daily. She travels quite a bit but no matter where she goes, here comes someone with a dog. She swells up & finds it hard to breathe.
This is a really tough situation. If your daughter is severely allergic to dogs, she might consider seeing a board-certified allergist to discuss starting allergy shots.
When should you use a decongestant? I heard that it increases your blood pressure.
A: It is very important to speak with your doctor so that you can get a medication that does not interfere with anything else you might be taking or that takes into account any other conditions you might have.
Dr. Neeta Ogden is an adult and pediatric allergist, asthma specialist and immunologist in private practice in New Jersey. She is a graduate of Yale University and Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Dr. Ogden has published research in various academic journals and presented at several national allergy meetings. She has also contributed to public education on allergies by sharing her expertise with a number of media outlets including The Today Show, CBS The Morning Show, CNN, and NPR to name a few.
READ MORE STORIES ON BLACKAMERICAWEB.COM:
GET THE HOTTEST STORIES STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX:
