TISSUE TIME!
Airborne allergies nothing to sneeze at
By KELLY A. GOFF

It’s that time of year when you think to yourself, “If I were one of the seven dwarfs, I’d be Sneezy.” For comedic timing, this thought would best be followed by an actual sneeze, which, if you have allergies, shouldn’t be a problem!

Allergies blossom in spring because of new growth on trees and weeds. Pollens start to fly in February, peak in May and don’t abate until mid-June. “Basically, spring is tree season, summer is grass season, and fall is weed season,” says Maria Gutierrez, M.D., an adult allergy specialist at National Jewish Medical Research Center in Denver. This spring’s forecasts for Denver indicate residents will be battling cedar, maple and oak pollens, as well as quack, wheat, redtop, brome and Bermuda grass allergies.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), nearly 36 million Americans, including 6 million children, suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis, commonly called “hay fever.” Once exposed to an airborne pollen like cedar, allergy sufferers often experience sneezing, runny noses and swollen, itchy, watery eyes.

MISERY COSTS MONEY
Symptoms of allergic rhinitis can have a major impact on a person’s quality of life, including the ability to function well at school or work. Results from a study presented at an AAAAI annual meeting showed that allergic rhinitis costs employers millions of dollars annually. Specifically, a study including a group of 40 U.S. employers found that the employers lost $5 million in one year because of workers with allergies.

“It’s better to get good treatment than to let it go,” says William Storms, M.D., an allergist and professor of medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. “We have learned a few things about this disease. First, it does affect a patient’s quality of life — productivity, educational performance. Second, it may lead to secondary diseases such as otitis media (ear infections), sinus infections and asthma.”

RELIEF COMES IN MANY FORMS
Many treatment options are available. In some cases it may be as simple as limiting your exposure to the allergen — sometimes easier said than done. For others, over-thecounter antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays and/or eyedrops may be the answer. Although antihistamines and nasal steroids are the most used over-the-counter medications, many allergists don’t recommend them because they tend to have increased side effects, such as sedation, insomnia, heart palpitations and increased blood pressure.

In addition, the risk of dangerous drug interactions is increased when you consider the recent survey reported in The Journal of the American Medical Association. It found that more than 80 percent of the U.S. adult population took at least one medication in the preceding week, and 25 percent took at least five.

That’s one reason why a review paper published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings publication also cautions against the use of OTC decongestants and antihistamines. The paper urges allergy sufferers and the physicians who treat them to consider allergy treatment that will not interact with other medications.

Are there any nonprescription allergy medications that are effective and safe to use with other medications? Thankfully, the answer is yes. Cromolyn sodium, or NasalCrom Nasal Spray, which has been studied for more than 20 years, is touted as being an effective agent for preventing and alleviating nasal allergic rhinitis symptoms, and it is also one of the safest nonprescription allergy medications.

There’s a relatively new product on the market that was reviewed by the FDA in 2003 called NasalGuard. NasalGuard is a topical gel that requires no injections or ingestion and is free of medication. You basically apply a thin film of gel around your nostrils, upper lip and nasal passages. It blocks pollen, dust, dander and other airborne allergens from reaching the nose and lasts up to four hours.

For more severe cases your doctor may prescribe allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy. They help your body build up antibodies so that over time allergic reactions are lessened or prevented.

PREVENTION AND SYMPTOM REDUCTION
Can you do anything before allergy season hits? A visit to your family doctor to discuss treatment options is a good idea. He or she may recommend taking something like Claritin or Claritin D in order to decrease your reaction when heavy pollen hits. You’ll likely avoid getting an infection too.

A daily squirt of a steroid nasal spray such as Flonase or Rhinocort can also be a powerful way to combat inflammation. Nasal steroids address acute allergy symptoms and may reduce asthma risk — but best of all, they also keep allergies from getting worse year after year.

PRACTICE AVOIDANCE
“If you have severe pollen allergies, you should be especially cautious on windy days, because those are the days when pollen is being blown around a lot more,” recommends Dr. Gutierrez. “We like our patients to lead normal lifestyles. Common sense will tell you that on windy days more pollen will be stirring around in higher concentrations.”

If you plan to be outdoors, check the pollen counts in the newspaper or on the news to avoid exposure when counts are high. Peak pollen production is between 5 and 10 a.m. Pollen is highest on warm, sunny days. Wearing disposable painters’ masks to cover your mouth and nose is also helpful — especially when doing yard work.

With seasonal allergies, staying indoors as much as possible is the best way to avoid pollen exposure. Here are some additional precautions:

• Keep your doors and windows closed. Turn on the air conditioner when pollen is extremely high.

• Cover your air-conditioning vents with cheesecloth to help filter the pollen. Change your filters often. You may want to use a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter to screen out the pollen even more.

• Dust your home with a damp cloth. Clean your carpets with a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter each week. Go over the carpet six to eight passes for maximum effectiveness.

• When driving, keep your windows closed, and set your air conditioner on recirculate.

• Take a shower and change your clothes after being outdoors for a long period. This will protect you from pollen that lands on your clothes and in your hair.

• Bathe pets often, even if they live indoors.

• Take your medicine exactly as prescribed. If you know cedar will be a problem for you each winter, see your doctor in early fall to update your treatment plan and stock up on allergy medications.

• Check online resources for more information and tips: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America at www.aafa.org, Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics at www.breatherville.org, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology at www.AAAAI.org, and American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at www.ACAAI.org.

In lieu of a cure, minimizing exposure to pollen and visiting your doctor are your best defenses for combating airborne allergies.