Allergy Season Has Arrived

By Dr. Malcolm Blumenthal, M.D.

Sneezing? Runny nose? Watery, itchy eyes? That’s right, allergy season is upon us. And in the U.S., an estimated 36 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies.

Allergies are the result of the body overreacting to pollens and other substances it perceives as threats. Sneezing, a runny nose, or watery eyes are ways the body tries to eliminate that threat. If your parents have allergies, you are likely to have them, too.

Minnesota's allergy season starts in March or April and typically runs through September or October. The season starts with the blooming of trees and is followed by grass season, beginning the middle of May. Those who have problems with weeds, such as ragweed, tend to suffer most mid-August to mid-September.

Other sources of allergy symptoms are mold, which tends to be worse during the warm, wet months, and dust mites, which may affect people year-round but especially when the weather is warm and humid. Pet dander, too, causes year-round allergies.

The first line of defense for anyone suffering from allergies is to avoid the source. Stay indoors with the air conditioning on, run the air conditioning in your car, and regularly dust and vacuum your house. Also avoid the outdoors during early morning and early evening hours, when pollen levels are highest.

The next step is to try over-the-counter medications. These medications include antihistamines which may be sedatives, like Benadryl or Cholortrimeton, which come in tablets. Some people become drowsy when they take these medications. Drugs like Claritin (Loradidine), fexofenadine (Allergra) or Cetirizine (Zyrtec), which are or will be available over the counter, are less sedating antihistamines and can be safer. Some drugs, like Zyrtec D, Claratin D and Allergra D, are combinations of antihistamines and decongestants. Other drugs, like Singulair, block production of a substance called leukotrines, which are involved in the production of allergy symptoms. Nasal steroids like Rhinocort, Flonase, Nasonex, and Nasacort, can reduce the inflammation and symptoms like the runny and congested nose. Some people also get relief from nasal sprays and eye drops.

Another line of defense is allergy shots. Allergy shots work by training the body not to react to substances like pollens, pet dander, or dust mites. The extracts are made for individual patients and they are typically given on one-week intervals for six months to a year, followed by monthly shots to maintain that immunity. Most people take them for three to five years.

So this allergy season, try avoiding the source, using medications, and getting allergy shots. After all, it’s never good to settle for itchy eyes and boxes of Kleenex.

Malcolm Blumenthal, M.D., is professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School. This column is an educational service and advice presented should not take the place of an examination by a health-care professional. For more health-related information, go to http://www.ahc.umn.edu/healthtalk.