North Texas is filled with year-round seasonal allergens spawned from the pollen of trees, ragweed, pigweed and other. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ranked the Dallas area No. 7 on its 2014 “100 Most Challenging Places to live with Allergies” list.
Allergy Treatments
Local allergists recommend a variety of treatments that can help prevent or relieve most seasonal allergies and their symptoms.
Antihistamines: Oral, nasal sprays and eye drops. The human body reacts to pollen by releasing histamines, which cause congestion, itchy eyes and other symptoms. Antihistamines counter the body’s reactions and are available without a prescription.
Nasal steroids: Patients opting for this treatment must begin using nasal steroids before an allergy season and use them daily during the season, along with other medications, such as antihistamines.
Flonase: A prescription corticosteroid with an anti-inflammatory agent.
Nasacort: In April this nasal spray became available without a prescription.
Immunotherapy: Allergists can treat sufferers with injections or tongue tablets that contain weakened allergen doses. The treatment allows the body to slowly become more tolerant or immune to the presence of allergens. These treatments are prescription-only and are administered by a doctor. Patients may respond to these treatments with allergic reactions, requiring supervision and treatment with an epinephrine autoinjector to prevent shock.
Injections: Patients with 3–5 years of this treatment may have fewer allergies for years.
Oralair, Ragwitek and Grastek: In April the Food and Drug Administration approved these tablets that are designed to treat specific forms of seasonal allergies.
Do allergies cause …
Headaches? Most headaches are migraines or sinus-related, not due to effects of allergies.
Nasal inflammation? This may result from colds or non-allergic rhinitis, a disease that causes allergy-like symptoms; overuse of nasal sprays; or reactions to odors, smoke, dust, dirt and other non-allergens.
Fatigue? Sleep deprivation or even sleep apnea, not allergies, causes tiredness.
Other allergy myths
I have allergies because my immune system is weak Allergies result from overactive immune systems so the solution is instead to calm the system.
Hypoallergenic pets cause allergies All pets can produce allergens, but some shed less allergens than others.
Allergy shots are expensive Insurance companies provide benefits for allergen immunotherapy because the treatment is cost-effective relative to medications.
Sources: Eric J. Schmitt, M.D., Frisco Allergy and Asthma Center; William C. Howland III, M.D., Allergy and Asthma Center of Austin; Katherine Webster, LAc, MAcOM, Texas Center for Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine
