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Allergy-sufferers have tough time in Miami Valley
Pollen counts are up, aided by weather.
Monday, May 05, 2008
So the idea of pulling out your eyeballs, rinsing them under cold water and flooding your empty sockets with a garden hose sounds soothing to you?
You must be an allergy sufferer in the Miami Valley, where spring is a welcomed sight but an awful, itchy, sneezy feeling of allergen-induced misery.
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"This year is an unusually bad year," said Dr. William Parker of Allergy and Asthma Associates. "This is the typical time of year for tree pollen, but this year the pollen counts have been unusually high and our patients have been suffering an unusual number of symptoms and not responding (to therapy) like they have in the past."
What's behind the high counts? A combination of heavy rain, which promotes plant and tree growth, followed by dry, windy days that disperse the allergens, Parker said.
Local pharmacies are feeling the effects, too.
"I can tell you with allergy season in Dayton, we have noticed an increase in prescriptions for inhaled steroids (Fluticasone or Flonase) and oral medicine, including Clarinex and Allegra," said Carol Hively, spokeswoman for Walgreens' corporate office. "In addition, our pharmacists have seen an increase in patients asking for recommendations for over-the-counter allergy medicines."
Parker said prescription and over-the-counter allergy drugs are getting better all the time, but it's always a good idea to consult your physician about possible side effects and drug interactions.
For itchy eyes, he recommends a cool compress and over-the-counter artificial tears if prescription drops are too expensive or temporarily out of stock. There are several avoidance measures allergy sufferers should take, too, he said.
• Keep windows shut and use the air conditioner. While it's tempting to open your windows and let in some sunshine and fresh air, you're inviting unwelcome pollen into your home, leaving you no escape from an allergen assault.
• Forget the clothesline and use a dryer. Allergens cling to clothes hanging outside.
• Shower, shampoo and change your clothes after working and playing outside.
• Consider allergy shots. If you don't want a repeat of this year's misery next spring, it might be time to discuss injection therapy with your physician.
The tree pollen season is typically over by early June, Parker said, but it overlaps with grass season, which last until July.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7408 or agottschlich@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Types of allergy medications
Antihistamines: Inhibit the release of histamine, an immune-system response to an allergen, which causes symptoms by enlarging blood vessels and causing redness, swelling, itching and increased fluid in the nose, eyes, sinuses and skin.
Nasal steroids: Flonase is one of these. Decrease inflammation caused by histamine and other immune-system chemicals, relieving congestion along with itches and excess fluids. Steroid sprays require daily use.
Decongestant pills: Often signified by "D" at end of brand name, as in Zyrtec-D. Constrict blood vessels, shrinking tissues and opening up airways. Mostly nonprescription, but doctor should advise about drug interactions and multiple side effects.
Decongestant nasal sprays: Afrin is one of these. Safer than pills because they affect only nose and sinuses, but using them more than three to five days can cause chronic congestion.
Saline nasal sprays: Ocean is one of these. Clean and lubricate nose and sinuses without drugs.
