Allergy Sufferers, Be Prepared

Nose stuffy? Eyes watery? If seasonal allergies, such as hay fever, normally bother you, time to buy the allergy medicine.

For those people who typically get seasonal allergies, a local doctor says that in the next few weeks you may see them return.

“There are some people who are allergic to pollen and trees and we see those [allergies] typically in the spring and early fall,” said Dr. Zaid Jabbar, a general internist with an area of  interest in allergies with Edward Medical Group in Plainfield.

“Typically, right around now and the next couple of months [those allergies appear again]. Those patients have a few months off in the summer time and then they begin again in early fall.”

Maple trees are one culprit for those who are allergic to trees, but because there are a wide variety of trees in Illinois and the Midwest, there is not one tree that really has more impact than another, he said.

“If you are unfortunate enough to be allergic to pollen, trees and grass your allergies will start soon and continue through October,” Jabbar said.

Some patients are pretty savvy, he said. Most know that they have allergies and will purchase products over the counter.

Best bets for over-the-counter medicines are Zyrtec and Allegra, he said. Allergy sufferers should keep in mind when buying over the counter that if there is a heart palpitation or blood pressure problem, to avoid anything with a D in it, such as Zyrtec D or Allegra D.

The D stands for the Sudafed in the product. Sudafed is a decongestant, and not recommended for people with palpitations or blood pressure problems, Jabbar said.

Other people are less aware and suffer with symptoms for months.

“The most important thing people need to realize; the most common thing I get is a patient comes in and they tell me, ‘Doctor I have had a cold for two months,’” Jabbar said. “There is no such thing. That is basically allergies.

"When they have a cough, when they have certain symptoms they need to come and be evaluated for these symptoms.”

Some people with severe allergies may not find relief from over-the-counter products, in those situations it is important to get evaluated, he said. An allergist will take a three-step approach, reviewing the progression of symptoms, the severity of the symptoms and how the patient responds to treatment.

If a patient isn’t responding to prescription medication, then they will most likely be referred for allergy testing to determine exactly what is causing the allergy. In some cases that may mean beginning allergy shots or prescribing other medications, such as nasal steroids or stronger prescription medications, Jabbar said.

Hay fever symptoms:

• Sneezing, often with a runny or clogged nose
• Coughing and postnasal drip
• Itching eyes, nose and throat
• Dark circles under the eyes

Source: National Institutes of Health

Tips for avoiding pollen allergies:

• If spending time outside, shower or bathe before bedtime to wash off pollen and other allergens that may be in your hair or on your skin.
• If it is especially dry or windy, avoid going outside.
• Keep windows and doors shut.
• Use air conditioning at home and in the car.

Source: FamilyDoctor.org