Remember that the right combination of prevention and medical treatment can in many cases control allergy symptoms completely!

Seasonal allergy sufferers know that spring and sometimes fall bring symptoms of sneezing, watery eyes, blocked ears, coughing, shortness of breath, and sometimes asthma.   The symptoms can occur in the form of isolated attacks, or continuously, intensified as pollen from newly blooming plants and trees is carried on spring breezes.  Different people are allergic to different plants, and therefore it is important for sufferers to be examined at the allergy clinic to identify the source of the allergy and to receive treatment tailored to their needs.

Additionally, “spring cleaning” and Passover preparations can stir up dust to which many people are also allergic.  The allergy clinic performs surface tests on the skin of the back or hand, as well as blood tests to identify specific allergies and environmental factors that affect them.

Treatment is based on an appropriate combination of prevention and medications:

Prevention:  Whenever possible, it is critical to remove or avoid the causes of the allergy.  It is hard to avoid breathing in the pollen carried on the air around you, but there are measures you can take to help yourself.  For example, if you are allergic to the pollen from the olive tree, it is worthwhile to cut down the tree outside your window.  During pollen season you can avoid camping or hiking trips through grass and flowering plants.  If you are sensitive to mold spores, you should reduce any dampness on walls of your home, and avoid humid damp places.  Using air filtration systems can greatly reduce the allergens that can enter your home.

Dust is a common household allergen, because it harbors dust mites, tiny organisms that feed on dead skin cells.  Meticulous cleaning of the house and its ventilation systems, covering mattresses and pillows with special anti-allergen coverings, and using sprays can reduce contact with the mites.

Medical Treatment:  Allergy symptoms are generally treated with antihistamines that suppress histamines that cause the body’s reaction to allergens.  There are recently-developed antihistamines, for example once-daily Allerstan that do not cause the fatigue, sleepiness, and dry mouth that were the side-effects of the older medications (such as Penistil, Atarx, Ahiston.)

In severe symptoms it is possible to treat the nose locally with a spray, and the eyes with antihistamine drops.  Indeed, there are quite efficient sprays that contain steroids that act locally.

Often there is a need to combine different kinds of treatment to achieve comfort in a person experiencing allergy symptoms.  To get the best care, it is critical to consult with a doctor.  When prevention and medical treatment of allergies are not helpful, the doctor may recommend the introduction of antibodies against the allergy factors.

The tip is provided by Prof. Meir Shalit

Head of the Department of Allergies and Clinical Immunology