Tue Feb 09 2010
By DARLENE PRINCE
Green grass, flowers and warm weather -- a prescription for a beautiful day for some and a miserable day for others.
While spring can be a refreshing time, for those with allergies it is a time of sneezes and teary eyes.
If people have a stuffy nose, itchy eyes and sneezing more this spring, it is probable that they have hay fever, which is also called allergic rhinitis.
According to the Mayo Clinic, hay fever is one of the most common allergic conditions, affecting some 40 million people in the United States.
Triggers for hay fever include tree pollen, grasses or weeds in the spring and ragweed in the fall.
The Mayo Clinic reports that symptoms of hay fever allergy include a runny nose, watery eyes, congestion, sneezing, coughing, sleeplessness, fatigue and facial pain.
Dr. John Winder, a practicing northwest Ohio allergist at the Defiance Clinic, said medications such as Claritin are safe to use for adults and children with allergies.
"Don't let your child suffer with allergies," he said.
"Claritin, or its generic equivalent Lortadine, are safe for children under 10 years old."
Treatments for allergies may include nasal corticosteroids (nasal sprays); medicines with antihistamines, such as Lortadine; decongestants, including Sudafed and Neo-Synephrine; leukotriene modifiers, such as Singulair, which are available by prescription; and for some people, allergy shots.
Hay fever can also increase the risk of developing a more serious condition like asthma. Hay fever and asthma often take place together.
Persons with asthma will have symptoms such as difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, a tight feeling in the chest and coughing and wheezing.
"Eighty percent of asthma is triggered by allergies," said Winder, who also is affiliated with the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology that has been doing asthma screening for 10 years.
"This is the 11th year of screening for asthma," he said. "We have screened more than 100,000 people and sent 50 percent of those to see a physician for evaluation."
Some steps to take to prevent allergy attacks, as recommended by the Mayo Clinic, are:
-- Close doors and windows during allergy season.
-- Use air conditioning.
-- Stay indoors on dry, windy days.
-- Use a dehumidifier.
-- Avoid mowing the lawn or raking leaves.
Comments
By Posting to this site, you agree to our Terms of Service Be polite.
Inappropriate posts may be removed.
Crescent-News.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Login above or Register to comment.
0 Total Comments Home | Back
Copyright Defiance Publishing, LLC 1995-2010. All Rights Reserved.
Content may not be republished without the expresse written consent of the publisher.
Content may not be republished without the expresse written consent of the publisher.
Dix Communications