ask the doctor
Aahh-choo!
Winter fl u season is over, and you’ve put the box of tissues away. But spring can bring another cause of sneezing: seasonal allergic rhinitis, or hay fever. By Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, D.O.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis is caused by breathing in pollen and developing an allergic reaction to it. Rhinitis is inflammation of the nasal cavity. Sneezing; a runny nose and watery, itchy eyes; and an itchy throat or cough also are common symptoms. In a person with asthma, pollen and other allergens can make asthma worse or set off an asthmatic attack.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis can be differentiated from a cold. A cold only lasts a few days, rather than the entire pollen season; the throat is sore rather than itchy; nasal secretions are thick and yellow rather than clear and runny; and you might have a fever.
About 10 to 15 percent of Americans suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis. Different people are affected in different seasons, depending on their specific pollen allergy. Springtime allergies often are due to blossoming trees such as oak, birch, and pecan. In the summer, some people find themselves sneezing after mowing the lawn. Fall allergies often are due to ragweed.
The primary way to prevent seasonal allergic rhinitis is to avoid exposure to the allergens, mostly pollen and related plant substances. Pollen can travel many miles, so it is difficult to control the pollen in the air around your house. Limiting time outside helps, especially when pollen counts are high. Keep house and car windows closed. Staying in air-conditioned cars and buildings, with effective air filtration systems, is helpful. If you spend time outside, wash your hair and change your clothes to avoid spreading pollen in the house. It is especially important to keep your bed free of pollen because pollen on a pillow provides exposure the entire time you’re asleep. Remember, dogs and cats also can bring pollen into the house and onto the bed.
When seasonal allergic rhinitis can’t be prevented, several treatments are useful. The primary medical treatment is the use of antihistamines, both over-the-counter and by prescription. Read labels carefully; sleepiness is a side effect of several antihistamines, so driving and other similar activities aren’t safe after taking them. Some people find taking antihistamines on a daily basis during the peak of pollen season helpful. This is best monitored by your health care provider.
When antihistamines aren’t enough, nasal steroid and non steroidal anti-inflammatory sprays can be prescribed. Some people use over-the-counter nose and eye drops, but typically these should only be taken for a couple of days. However, saline nasal drops can be used indefinitely. In severe cases, allergy skin testing and allergy shots might be recommended, but the shots require a long-term commitment and must be taken for several years to have any effectiveness.
MO
— Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, USPHS (Ret), D.O., M.A., is a health care consultant in Chevy Chase, Md. Find more health and wellness resources at
www.moaa.org/wellness. For submission information, see page 6.
It Could Be Worse Some allergies can be life-threatening. Fortunately, seasonal allergic rhinitis is more of a nuisance than a danger.
*online: Check your local pollen count at
www.webmd.com/allergies/healthtool-pollen-counter-calculator.
46 MILITARY OFFICER APRIL 2013
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