Ask the Doc: Allergies!

DME – April – Allergies

It’s spring, which means beautiful weather, more sunlight and pollen. Pollen is one of the main causes of springtime allergies, which plagues countless Alabamians as they spend more time outside. Dr. Angela Blount, an otolaryngologist or ENT with Walker Baptist Medical Center, spoke with us about springtime allergies and how you can survive allergy season this year.

Why does pollen cause allergies?

Many people are allergic to pollen, with reactions ranging from mild to severe. When pollen reaches the nose or throat of someone with an allergy, it causes an allergic reaction. This means the body’s natural defense system is overreacting and begins fighting substances that are normally harmless. The most common side effects of a pollen allergy are sneezing, watery eyes, nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy throat, cough, sore throat, and a hoarse voice.

What are the best ways to avoid pollen and allergens?

There is no way to completely avoid pollen. Spring means pollen because it’s the way that plants reproduce, and unfortunately the South has a longer pollen season than other parts of the country. Here are some quick tips on how to survive allergy season:

1. Know the pollen count. Pollen may be hard to see, but pollen counts calculate the amount of pollen in a specific amount of air during a particular period. These counts can help you plan outdoor activities for when the counts are lower. Pollen counts are normally highest during the morning and midday.
2. Protect yourself from pollen when going outside. Wear sunglasses to keep the pollen from your eyes. If your allergies are particularly bad, wear a mask to keep the pollen from entering your nose and throat.
3. Change clothes and take a shower when you come in from working outside. You can help reduce your allergens by washing off the pollen when you come in from being outside.
4. Close doors and windows. This keeps the pollen from getting inside.
5. Don’t hang clothing and bedding outside to dry. Pollen can get into the fibers of cloth and make your allergies worse.
6. Take any allergy medicine before you go outside. By taking your medicine before you go outside, you can reduce the time you suffer from symptoms.

What is the best way to treat seasonal allergies?

First, try to avoid as much pollen as possible using the tips above. That is the best way to minimize your allergies. For most people with a mild allergy, over-the-counter medicines like antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays can help you deal with allergy symptoms. For people with more severe allergies, there are other treatments available including stronger prescription drugs and allergy shots. These treatments can work wonders, but they need to be carefully managed by a physician.

What should I do if I have severe allergies?

If you try over-the-counter allergy medicine and don’t see results, it’s time to see an allergist or other specialist, such as an otolaryngologist. We can help you figure out exactly what is causing your allergies and the best way to fix them. Everyone is different and some treatments work better for some people than others. By seeing a specialist, you get the most knowledgeable care you can get and have a much better chance of minimizing your symptoms.

How can I tell if my child has allergies or a common cold?

While the symptoms of allergies and colds are similar, there are several ways to tell the difference. One quick way to tell is how the symptoms appear. Allergy symptoms tend to occur all at once, while cold symptoms add up over several days. Your mucus discharge can also be a clue. Allergies generally cause clear, thin, watery mucus while colds cause a yellowish nasal discharge that is common with infections.

The duration of the symptoms also can help you identify your illness. If it lasts 10 days or less, you probably have a cold. If it extends past that, it’s most likely allergies.  Colds are more likely in the winter, while allergies are more common in the spring.

Can allergies be cured?

Sadly, no. Allergies cannot be cured, but their symptoms can be controlled and managed. If you are having problems, make an appointment with an allergist or otolaryngologist. They specialize in fixing these problems and can help find the best treatment for you.

Do you have a question you would like a doctor to answer? Please email [email protected] and you might see it in the next column!

If you would like to make an appointment with a Brookwood Baptist Health physician, please call 877-844-3258 or visit brookwoodbaptisthealth.com. Ask the Doc is brought to you by Brookwood Baptist Health.