Dr Boima
HEALTH ISSUES

You have had a runny nose and irritating cough for several weeks now. You realize that this is your second or third bout of cold this season. In fact, you have never really seemed to get completely well in between the episodes.

You are growing weary of the constant nose wiping and doses of cold medicine just so you can get to rest or sleep. When will these colds end? Or could it be something serious? TB perhaps? You go back to your Doctor and insist on being tested for all serious illnesses that you can think of under the sun, only to be told you have allergies. Sounds familiar? It does to me; it has been my daily bread in the outpatient clinic lately.

Allergies are a very common problem, affecting at least two out of ten (2/10) people in studies carried out in America. An allergy refers to exaggerated reaction by our immune system in response to exposure to certain foreign substances that shouldn’t normally cause a problem.

The response is said to be exaggerated because these substances are usually harmless in non-allergic individuals. While environment plays a big role in allergy development, there is a greater risk of developing allergic conditions if a person has a family history of allergy, especially in parents or siblings (genetics).

Although allergies can start at any age, they generally develop during childhood with some of the initial exposure or sensitization having occurred in – utero. Most children who have allergies do outgrow them over time. The allergic conditions include hay fever (nose), asthma (chest), allergic conjunctivitis (eyes), food allergies, atopic dermatitis (skin) and anaphylaxis.

During this month, I will walk you through the confusing world of allergies and help you prevent and treat these bothersome symptoms. Only symptoms relating to the nose, eyes, throat and ears will be discussed in this article.

Hay fever

Allergic rhinitis or hay fever as commonly known is the most common of the allergic diseases affecting up to 30% of people worldwide. It refers to nasal and eye symptoms that are due to allergens in the atmosphere (causing inflammation of the lining of these tissues). Adjacent areas such as the ears, sinuses, and throat are usually involved also.

Perennial (year-round) allergic rhinitis is usually caused by indoor allergens such as dust mites, animal dander/hair, or molds.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis is typically caused by tree, grass, and weed pollens. Many individuals have a combination of both seasonal and perennial allergies and are only mildly affected by the symptoms. However, for some, symptoms may be so severe and persistent that they are unable to carry out their daily tasks at home, work or at school properly – these people will require medical attention.

Treatments may not get rid of the symptoms quickly or altogether, but they usually help to lessen their impact, making them easier to live with.

Symptoms: The symptoms of hay fever are similar to those of a cold (which is caused by a virus) and they include the following;

Runny nose (clear mucus)

Stuffy or congested nose

Sneezing

Itchy nose, ears and throat

Red, itchy and tearing eyes

Postnasal drip  (leading to throat clearing or cough)

Diagnosis: A Doctor usually makes the hay fever diagnosis (which is fairly obvious) basing on the symptoms that the patient is presenting with and physical examination findings. A blood or skin test can be done to identify which substances the patient is allergic to.

Treatment: Management options can be both medical and non-medical and they include;

Avoidance or decreasing the exposure to the irritants/allergens that trigger one’s symptoms is the cornerstone of allergy treatment

Home remedies – drinking plenty of fluids, honey, hot steaming

Medications – antihistamines in the form of sprays and tablets, eye drops and corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce the inflammation caused by hay fever.

Immunotherapy (allergy shots) – Immunotherapy has been proven to provide long-term relief or remission for many people suffering from hay fever. It works by gradually desensitizing the patient's immune system (over a period of up to 5 years) to the allergens that trigger their symptoms.

Prevention – The following measures may be helpful in allergic people to help prevent triggering (or severity) of hay fever attacks, especially during the high pollen or spring/summer seasons;
Keeping windows and doors closed

Keeping away from grassy areas or avoiding mowing the lawn

Gardening when pollen is less rampant

Regularly splashing the eyes with cool water

Showering and changing clothes often when one gets home

Protective eye wear (spects or sunglasses)

Keeping windows closed when driving

Avoiding keeping flowers in the house

Keeping the house surfaces, floors, carpets as dust free as possible

Avoiding using a vacuum cleaner or making sure it has a good filter

Quitting smoking or avoiding secondary smoking

Avoiding keeping pets or washing them regularly whenever they come indoors

For comments or questions email agboima@yahoo.com