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Allergies

What are allergies?

• An allergy is a reaction of the body’s immune system to a substance that is usually harmless; one that does not bother most people.
• Frequently the people who have allergies are sensitive to more than one substance.
• Some people’s allergies will trigger episodes of asthma
• Substances that are frequent causes of allergic reactions include:
• Pollens
• Dust
• Mold
• Foods
• Latex
• Insects
• Medicines
• Chemicals
• Paints
• Carpeting
• Plastics
• Perfumes
• Cigarette smok

Signs and Symptoms

• Sneezing
• Runny or clogged nose
• Coughing
• Post Nasal drip
• Itchy eyes, nose and/or throat
• Watery eyes
• “Allergic Pink Eye”
• Dark circles under your eyes

Diagnosis

• Some people are able to deduce what substance triggers a response. Other times it is more difficult to figure out.
• There is a blood test that is done in some cases. This is usually done in the Allergist’s office.
• The most sensitive test involves skin testing. This is always done by an Allergist’s office.

Treatment

• If it is possible to avoid the substance, such as cigarette smoke, it is most helpful to do so.
• There are medicines that can help
• Antihistamines
• There are over the counter medications that can be tried
• Benedryl is frequently used, but often causes severe drowsiness.
• Claritin is available in the brand name form or generic and does not cause the drowsiness associated with Benedryl.
• Other over the counter antihistamines include medicines such as Dimetapp and Chlo-Trimeton.
• There are many combination drugs that are available, such as Tylenol Cold and Allergy that may be helpful.
• There are also medicines that can be prescribed such as Allegra or Zyrtec.
• Nasal Steroids, such as Flonase or Nasonex, can be prescribed
• Chromolyn is a medicine that comes in an over the counter nasal spray. The brand name for this is NasalCrom.
• Decongestants
• Decongestants can help relieve the swelling and congestion in the nasal and sinus passages. They also decrease excess secretions.
• Decongestants are frequently found in combination medicines, including Nyquil and Tylenol Cold and Allergy.
• These can be purchased separately or in combinations over the counter.

Complications

• Untreated allergies may resolve on their own. In some cases, they may cause other problems such as
• Sinus infections
• Asthma

Is it a Cold or Allergies?

Symptom	Cold	Allergies
Cough	Common	Sometimes
General Aches, Pains	Mild	Never
Fatigue, Weakness	Usually	Usually
Itchy Eyes	Rare	Common
Sneezing	Usually	Usually
Sore Throat	Common	Sometimes
Fever	Common	Never
Stuffy Nose	Common	Common
Runny Nose	Common	Common
Duration	3 – 14 days	Weeks

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Last Updated 5/21/12

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