Is It ALLERGIES?

Anytime a runny nose seems to last longer than a week or so, people start to be concerned about allergies as a cause. Sometimes they are right. More and more people are being diagnosed with environmental allergies every year. Compared to the 1900's, we are now exposed to more chemicals and more foreign substances than ever before. No longer is just "weeds, grasses, and trees," there are thousands of potential allergens lurking about.

Making the diagnosis of an allergic disorder is relatively easy compared to identifying the specific allergen that may be causing your symptoms. For instance, when a person develops hives (urticaria), they want to know what caused it. I tell them it could be anything they ingested, touched, or breathed. Even changes in temperature, medications, molds, animals, cigarette smoke, invisible insects/mites, certain illnesses, and emotional states can trigger hives. You name it and someone may have an allergic reaction to it.

Allergies can be seasonal or year-round. They can also occur randomly and without warning. Even without allergy testing, many people have identified allergic triggers in their environment. I am absolutely amazed by the number of children allergic to peanuts and peanut butter. During my entire childhood, I can't recall one friend that was allergic to peanuts, unless he was the stinky kid that always ate tuna fish sandwiches.

Over the years, I have discovered that I am allergic to two things (just two): bees and Levaquin (an antibiotic). I discovered that I was allergic to bees when I was a teenager. While working on a farm, I was initially stung a few times up my pant legs. This resulted in immediate hives all over my body. A week or so later, I was stung again. This time, it caused me to have some serious breathing difficulties. A few years ago, I took a new antibiotic for a sinus infection. After the first dose, it was Hive City once again. Like most humans, I am probably allergic to other things, too. Now that I think about it, I am also highly allergic to poison oak, but then again, most people are.

The most common symptoms experienced by allergy patients would be an itchy, runny nose and watery, itchy eyes. The key symptom here is itching. Unlike colds, allergies tend to cause itching. In children, a common observation is the constant, up-wiping of the nose with the hand, affectionately termed the allergic salute. In children, upward nose wiping can cause a horizontal, white crease occur across the bridge of the nose. Children also wipe their noses on sleeves, fingers, furniture, and unwary pets. They can also develop a repetitive sniff that drives adults crazy.

Asthma is considered the most serious form of allergy. Almost all children with asthma have been sensitized by an inhaled allergen, such as pollen, mold spores, animal dander, or insect proteins. Uncontrolled, asthma can be a killer. Sadly, several of my patients have died from asthmatic attacks over the years. The mortality rate among African Americans is three to four times higher than the white population; boys get asthma twice as often as girls. Exposure to cigarette smoke is a significant factor for asthma.

The most common symptom in asthma is wheezing - the air goes in but has a whistling time getting back out. Dry cough, chest tightness, chest pain, and shortness of breath with exertion are also seen. Mysterious, persistent nighttime coughing in children could also be a sign of asthma. Asthmatics also have the plethora of allergy symptoms, too, such as runny nose, dry/itchy skin (eczema), itchy/watery eyes, and sneezing.

The key to allergy and asthma management starts with the proper medical assessment and education. Many primary care medical professionals are quite experienced in allergy management. The more severe cases may need the involvement of an allergist or pulmonologist. If known allergens can be identified, they should be avoided. There are many great allergy and asthma medications, but they do not work very well when they remain in their containers. Failure to comply with prescribed treatment regimes is a major obstacle in allergy management. A mainstay of asthma management is the use of anti-inflammatory medications, namely steroids. Because people are afraid of steroids or confuse them with body--building and abused steroids, they often are reluctant to use them. Big mistake. When it comes to asthma and allergy management, it is often best to allow your medical provider to do the driving.

Related Topics:

• WebMD Video: Environmental Allergens and Immune System
• WebMD Video: Allergy Shots for Asthma

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