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Tina A. Thompson, M.D
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While spring is a beautiful time of year, it can also be miserable and frustrating for allergy sufferers. Allergies affect as many as 60 million Americans, or one in every five adults and children. Spring pollens are a common cause of allergies that result in respiratory symptoms. The most common allergic responses are breathing problems like congestion, sneezing and wheezing, along with itchy eyes and skin irritation, redness, hives or itch. If you suffer from allergies, you may have only one of these symptoms or several.
The first course of treatment is avoiding the allergen. Unfortunately, short of staying indoors when pollen counts are high--and even that may not help--there's no easy way to evade windborne pollen. Tina A. Thompson, M.D. states, “if it is necessary for you to be outside, choose a day after rain has fallen and take a shower as soon as you can to rinse off the pollen.”
Your physician may also prescribe medications, recommend over-the-counter remedies, or suggest allergy shots. Although there is no cure for allergies, one of these strategies or a combination of them can provide varying degrees of relief from allergy symptoms.
Antihistamines counter the effects of histamine that is released in response to the allergen. Antihistamines relieve sneezing and itching in the nose, throat, and eyes; reduce nasal swelling and drainage; and are used to treat hives. Some antihistamines can cause drowsiness and increase risk of vehicle and occupational injuries. But there are now newer medications that have fewer side effects.
Use caution when choosing over the counter medications to treat allergy symptoms, particularly if you are taking other prescription medications or herbal remedies. Your physician can help you make choices that will avoid dangerous drug interactions. Also, if you are pregnant, keep in mind that some of these antihistamines' effects on an unborn baby are untested; similarly, their effects on breast milk or nursing infants are in some cases not known. Always tell your physician if you are, could be, or could become pregnant, and discuss your situation with your doctor before taking any medications.
Tina A. Thompson, M.D. is a family practitioner with Rockbridge Family Practice and is on the medical staff at Emory Eastside Medical Center. Her office number is 770-925-2010.
