Spring Allergy Season Has Arrived in Sumner County
2023年4月6日
Many of our fellow county residents are appreciating nasal congestion, 流鼻涕, 打喷嚏, and post-nasal drainage known as allergic rhinitis (or “hayfever”) this time of the year. Individuals with allergic rhinitis may also develop itchy watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis), 哮喘急性加重, sinusitis and itchy irritated skin (atopic dermatitis).
What medications are your taking for allergic rhinitis?
Allergy patients now have access to a growing number of over-the-counter and prescribed medications.
Intranasal corticosteroids (fluticasone, 去炎松, mometasone) can be effective in treating nasal congestion, 打喷嚏, 还有流鼻涕. Intranasal corticosteroids are typically employed for daily use since they take time to become fully effective.
The newer oral “second-generation” antihistamines (cetirizine, 盐酸非索非那定, and loratadine) are designed to treat an itchy, 打喷嚏的鼻子. They can be used on an as needed or daily basis. Intranasal antihistamines (azelastine) are now available prescription and over-the-counter.
The leukotriene blockers (montelukast) were originally approved to treat asthma. However, it became apparent that they are helpful in treating allergic rhinitis in some individuals.
It is important to select the appropriate combination of medications for each individual.
What are the side effects of your allergy medications?
Older (first-generation) antihistamines (diphenhydramine, 扑尔敏, hydroxyzine) can trigger sedation and performance impairment.
Decongestants (pseudoephedrine) can increase blood pressure, 提高心率, 导致失眠.
Intranasal spray can lead to local irritation and nasal bleeding.
Do you know what your allergy triggers are?
Although our local tree and grass pollen levels are abundant, the most common allergy trigger in Tennessee is house 尘螨. 50% of homes have at least six detectable allergens present.
Skin testing by a board-certified allergist can identify specific triggers within 20 minutes of placement. In some cases, a blood test may be appropriate.
Allergists commonly test to pollens (trees, 草, 杂草), 尘螨, 猫, 狗, 模具, 和蟑螂. Food testing and tests to other animals are also frequently utilized.
Some patients’ nasal symptoms are not triggered by pollens, 宠物, 模具, 还有尘螨, a condition known as non-allergic rhinitis. 香水, 百花香, 烟草烟雾, 强烈的气味, 天气变化, and a deviated septum can trigger symptoms.
What environmental control measures are appropriate for you?
The most common local allergen is house 尘螨. The average bedroom in central Tennessee is estimated to contain 500 house 尘螨 per gram of dust. A carpet-free bedroom and vapor proof pillowcase and mattress covers can improve symptoms in allergy suffers who are sensitive to 尘螨.
Reduced exposure to 宠物 can be helpful in patients who are allergic to 宠物. Allergy testing can help guide whether patients would or would not benefit from avoiding 宠物.
Some patients may improve with nasal rinse or nasal saline.
Reducing exposure to 强烈的气味, 烟草烟雾, and fragrances can also potentially be helpful.
Would allergen immunotherapy (or allergy shots) be helpful?
Some patients can improve from a desensitization regimen by receiving gradually injecting amounts of allergens (such as pollen, 宠物, 还有尘螨) once or twice a week until the top (or maintenance) dose is reached. 在维持剂量下, injections are administered every two to four weeks, 一般是三到五年. All doses must be administered in a physician’s office with a thirty-minute waiting period.
Do allergies ever require hospitalization?
Allergic rhinitis is typically treated in homes, clinics, and physician's offices. Other allergies including allergic asthma, 食物过敏, 速发型过敏反应, and medication allergies occasionally require Emergency Department visits and hospitalization.
Board-certified allergists are trained to test for allergies, direct medical management and environmental control, 讨论潜在的副作用, and administer allergen immunotherapy.