Thomas Veech, MD, JD Richmond Family Practice |
Ahh, Central
Virginia in the springtime... the days are longer, the weather is warmer
(usually), the birds are singing, the flowers and trees are in bloom... and my
car is green. Mind you, my car is
supposed to be black. Welcome to pollen
season. Runny noses and itchy eyes are
as common around here as dogwoods and daffodils.
As Virginians,
you know that allergy season is not limited to spring. In fact, the milder winters (this past one
being an exception) and long humid summers contribute to the Richmond area’s
perfect recipe for a year-round allergy problem, noted frequently as one of the
nation’s worst.
Allergies,
sometimes referred to as allergic rhinitis, are a very common health problem involving
an inappropriate response of our immune systems to allergens, substances which
can induce allergic reactions. There are
both outdoor and indoor allergens. Aside
from different types of pollens and molds, allergens can include animal dander
and dust mites.
Allergies
can negatively impact quality of life, as well as decrease productivity in our
daily jobs. Allergies can also worsen
other health problems like asthma. Common
symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes. Thankfully, there are many effective
treatments.
For mild to
moderate allergies, steroid nasal sprays are the medications of choice. These sprays
block the release of certain chemicals that cause inflammation in the nasal
cavity. Steroid nasal sprays can begin working in as little as 30 minutes, but
it usually takes several hours to several days to notice an improvement in all-around
symptoms. Some of the more common side
effects of these sprays include nasal irritation, like drying or stinging, and
occasionally, nosebleeds. In general,
nasal steroids are quite safe and they are now available over-the-counter.
For more
severe allergies, antihistamines are often needed along with nasal steroids. These
medications block histamine, a substance released by the body in response to
allergens. Some oral antihistamines, such as
diphenhydramine, can cause drowsiness and may be best when taken at night. For daytime use, consider loratadine
(Claritin), fexofenadine (Allegra), or cetirizine (Zyrtec). Antihistamines in the form of a nasal spray
are only available by prescription and typically used to treat more severe
allergy symptoms. Compared with oral
antihistamines, nasal antihistamines directly target the nasal passages, but may
cause a bitter taste and/or headache.
Over-the-counter
decongestants may also be helpful in treating the stuffy noses that often go
along with allergies. Pseudoephedrine
and phenylephrine are common oral over-the-counter decongestants. Some asthma medications can also be used to
treat allergies, but they are generally not as effective as nasal steroids or
antihistamines.
If you, like
many Virginians, have allergy problems, your primary care physician can help
develop a treatment plan that works for you.
In some instances, an evaluation by an allergist may be needed. These
specialists can determine which allergens are causing your symptoms and provide
appropriate therapies.
Enjoy the
spring and grab some tissues!
For further inquiries about allergies, asthma, or other
chronic respiratory symptoms, contact Thomas Veech, MD, of Richmond FamilyPractice, at 804.358.0248, or visit their website at richmondfamilypractice.com.
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