Welcome to the fall allergy season.
This year may prove to be especially bad for allergy sufferers. So what preventative measures can you take to help control the allergic onslaught?
Dr. Bennett Radford, an allergy specialist in Kansas, recommends allergy sufferers stock up on over-the-counter allergy symptom treatment and relief medications such as Claritin-D or Zyrtec.
Another effective preventative treatment, he said, is to use a saline nasal mist such as Ocean or Ayr to keep nasal passages cleaned out.
"The nasal passages are where the allergens start, so I've found a (nasal mist) to be very beneficial," Radford said.
If these relatively inexpensive treatments prove ineffective and signs of respiratory difficulties such as asthma, a sinus infection or inflamed skin condition appear, it may be time for a more aggressive treatment, Radford said.
"You should see your primary care doctor to try a prescription type antihistamine or steroid-type nasal spray," he said. "When you start to get asthma from allergies or a sinus infection, it takes a little more expertise to get it under control."
Although ragweed and other outdoor irritants can be a primary cause of allergy outbreaks, other factors may contribute to sinus misery, Radford said.
In some cases, a chronic allergy sufferer needs to undergo allergy skin tests to determine the root of his or her problem. Among the allergens generally tested, Radford said, are common tree pollen, grass, weeds, molds, cat and dog hair, house dust and dust mites.
A patient may be injected with minute amounts of allergens, Radford said, "to allow them to become desensitized and develop an immunity with time."A key part of an allergy treatment plan is to control or avoid substances that cause allergy symptoms. Radford suggested a few tips for minimizing the outbreak of allergens both inside and outside the home:1. When mowing the lawn or working in the yard, wear a dust mask.2. Don't dry laundry outside because it will collect pollens.3. Pets let outside need to be brushed and/or cleaned when brought back into the house.4. Carpeting, bedding and furniture collect dust and dust mites. Steam-clean rugs and carpets often, dust furniture with a damp cloth, wet-mop hardwood or tile floors at least twice a week and cover mattress, box spring and pillows with allergy-proof casings.5. Keep house and car windows shut during spring and fall pollen seasons. Use central or room air conditioning and set it at "recycle or "recirculate." Change filters often.6. Keep your home dry. Fix leaks right away and check for dry rot often. If your house is damp, use a humidifier.7. Clean rain gutters and drain areas of the yard where water collects. Remove leaves and yard debris regularly.8. At the height of allergy season, consider taking a vacation to the beach or the mountains, where pollen counts generally are lower.But no matter where an allergy sufferer goes, he or she can't hide from allergens forever."Once we get a good freeze, allergens go down. As long as it's above freezing, there will be molds and weeds sticking around."
