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onallergies
WITH THE SUMMER MONTHS
upon us, most of us are enjoying longer,
warmer—or actually hot—days filled
with wonderful outdoor activities. We’ve
boxed up our bulky sweaters and boots
and replaced them with T-shirts and flip-
flops. However, these
dog days of summer
also come with the
blooming of flow-
ers, trees and grass,
which can aggravate
allergy symptoms for
some of us.
For the readers
of
Partners
,Thomas
Cawthon, MD, with
Montgomery Otolar-
yngology, is offering
allergy advice.
What is an allergy?
An allergy is an unusual sensitivity that
someone has to a normally harmless
substance, called an allergen. For example,
a nonallergic person who is exposed to
grass will have no symptoms, while a per-
son who is allergic may have symptoms,
which may include sneezing, itchy eyes
and a runny nose.
What causes allergic
reactions in the first place?
Exposure to allergens comes in many
forms. They can be inhaled, such as pol-
lens and dust. They can be ingested, such
as foods and medications. They can be
injected, such as medications and those
produced by stinging insects. We can also
have exposure through contact with the
skin to allergens such as latex and nickel.
What happens during an
allergic reaction?
In the allergic individual, after exposure
to an allergen, histamine is released.
This causes swelling of blood vessels and
increased production of mucus. The body
becomes hypersensitive.
What areas of the body can
be affected by an allergy
condition? How?
Allergic reaction can be limited to one
body system—or multiple systems can be
affected. For instance, if the nose is affected,
we speak of allergic rhinitis, or hay fever.
Reactions of the lungs can include asthma
symptoms; of the eyes, conjunctivitis; of the
skin, hives or eczema. Allergies can also af-
fect the digestive tract and cause symptoms
such as cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.
How do you know if
you have allergies?
First you must visit your physician for a
diagnosis. Your physician will have you
provide a detailed history in which you
can inform him or her of your symp-
toms. Then the physician will perform a
physical exam to see if there is evi-
dence of body systems being affected.
The physician may perform testing in
order to confirm the diagnosis of a true
allergy. These tests can include skin
testing (prick, intradermal or patch),
blood testing, or oral food or medication
challenges.
What are some
treatment options?
Fortunately there are treatment options
for persons with allergies. The first option
is avoidance. This is especially important
with food allergies. But other allergens
can be avoided as well—for instance, furry
pets. Medications, such as antihistamines
and nasal sprays, are another option.
These can alleviate some of the symptoms
caused by allergies. If these two options
do not provide enough relief, immuno-
therapy should be considered.
How does
immunotherapy help?
The goal of immunotherapy (desensitiza-
tion) is to build up a tolerance to allergens
and thus relive symptoms. This can be
done with subcutaneous injections (under
the skin) or sublingual drops (under the
tongue). Both methods take about three
to four years of treatment to achieve
desensitization. This is not a cure but can
provide improvement to current allergy
conditions.
As you try to cope with allergies, re-
member that you can improve symptoms
by avoiding known allergens, using anti-
histamines and nasal sprays, and seeking
the help of a physician who is trained in
allergy treatment.
Thomas
Cawthon, MD,
Montgomery
Otolaryngology
Improve symptoms by avoiding
allergens, using antihistamines
and nasal sprays, and seeking
the help of a physician.
Learn more
from the American
Academy of Allergy,
Asthma & Immunology.
Visit
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