Allergy sufferers may often mistake symptoms, use ineffective treatments

Allergy Nurse Practioner Fred New understands how miserable people can be during this season. He sees their suffering on a daily basis as director of Allergy Services at Lake Norman Ears, Nose and Throat.

And fall is one of their busiest seasons.

"Nearly half of all Americans suffer from some type of seasonal allergy and many allergy sufferers have no idea that their symptoms are allergy related, so they go undiagnosed. Most simply think that they are suffering from a seasonal cold due to a change in the weather."

How do you know if it's more than just the sniffles?

Itchy, watery eyes, chronic cough, sore throat, and difficulty breathing are some of the symptoms.

"Runny or congested nasal passages, chronic sinus infections, post-nasal drip and sneezing are also symptoms," New explained. "On the skin, we can have hives, itchy skin and rashes. Many allergy sufferers will also list headaches or sinus pressure as one of their symptoms. For many of these multi-season allergy sufferers, medications alone are not going to get them the allergy relief that they desire."

New recommends that allergy sufferers not try to go it alone.

"Examination of the allergy sufferer usually shows pale and swollen nasal passage tissue while the patient with a sinus infection will have very red and swollen nasal passage tissue," he said. "These are just two of the many differentiating symptoms between allergic rhinitis and a sinus infection."

Determining whether you are suffering from sinus trouble and allergies is important because they are treated in different ways.
"In most cases, a sinus infection has started out as a viral infection and will usually clear up on its own," New said. "However, if the symptoms have persisted over a period greater than a week, then antibiotics are usually needed as the infection has probably become bacterial in nature."

Treatment options for allergies include "a combination of nasal steroid sprays, antihistamines, and in some cases, leukotriene modifiers will usually provide partial to complete relief from their allergy symptoms, New said.

"Claritin and Zyrtec are two very effective over-the-counter antihistamines," he added. "For the allergy sufferer who does not get relief from medications or is not satisfied with their relief, immunotherapy, or allergy shots and/or drops, is the next option."

But how do you tell the difference between a sinus infection and allergies?

"There are several things you need to consider," New said. "Do your symptoms usually occur at the same time of the year? Is the season changing? Is there a family history of allergies or asthma? If the answers to the above questions are yes, then, most likely, you have seasonal allergies.

If your symptoms are progressively getting worse, you are developing a fever or chills, or have facial pain or upper teeth pain, it is very possible you have a sinus infection.

Medicines aren't the only way to alleviate the painful symptoms of allergies.

"Doing things around your home can greatly reduce your allergy symptoms," New said. Things like minimizing the amount of dust in the house will greatly reduce symptoms such as sneezing. Vacuuming with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter will trap many indoor allergens and keep them from circulating in the air. Air filters for your heating and air system designed for the allergy suffer are also a quick and easy way to reduce indoor allergens.

"Other options to consider are air purifiers, dust mite covers, special detergents designed for allergy sufferers and keeping pets out of the bedroom," he continued.

Adults aren't the only ones that can feel a little under the weather this time of year, but many parents question how early they can treat their youngsters.

"Allergies can develop at practically any age," New said. "Most allergy sufferers will start to show signs in adolescence, but can start much earlier. Infants and toddlers under the age of 2 are more often exhibiting food hypersensitivity than a true pollen allergy."

As the child ages and has more exposures, pollens become a factor, and by age 6, allergies are considered to be present if the child remains symptomatic, he explained.

"Having said that, children under the age of 6 who are symptomatic or have a family history of allergies should be evaluated," New added.

Whether it's sinus problems or allergies, only a doctor can tell you for sure what the best course of action is.

"With a diagnosis, proper treatment can quickly get you feeling better and enjoying the outdoors again."

What are allergies?
Allergies are the immune system's exaggerated response to a foreign substance. Normally harmless substances, such as pollen, cause the immune system to react as if the substance is harmful. Substances that cause allergies are called allergens.

What are the symptoms of allergies?

- Mild reactions include symptoms affecting a specific area of the body such as a rash, hives and watery eyes.

- Moderate reactions include symptoms that spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms include itchiness, hives and difficulty breathing.

- Severe reactions, known as anaphylaxis, are life-threatening reactions in which the body's response to an allergen is sudden and affects the entire body, including swelling of the throat, cramps and confusion or dizziness.