Texas Tech Health: Treatment for allergies depends on the cause

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http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/052002/hea_allergies.shtml

Monday, May 20, 2002

4:44 a.m. CT

Texas Tech Health: Treatment for allergies depends on the cause

By Dr.

Millions of Americans know the discomfort of allergies. They know what it's

like to spend their days itching, sneezing and sniffling.

Many things can cause allergies, from foods to pollens, but treatment often

depends on what is causing the allergy in the first place.

For most allergies that cause the typical symptoms of sneezing, congestion

and itchy, watery eyes, the causes are environmental, such as pollen, dust

mites, mold or animal dander.

The first step is to determine what is causing the allergy, usually through

a skin test. Then you must avoid the allergen. Of course, that's not always

possible. Encasing bedding and pillow in allergy-proof materials and washing

bedding in hot water every week can help ease the symptoms of a dust mite

allergy. To reduce other allergies such as pollen and molds, keep windows

shut and pets outdoors.

But even these precautions can't eliminate some people's allergies

altogether. If the symptoms are still bothersome, treatment options are

available including steroidal nasal sprays and prescription medications. I

don't suggest people use over-the-counter medicines for allergies because

they can have serious side effects, including sedation.

Many of these over-the-counter medications also contain pseudoephedrine,

which can cause serious problems if you have other health concerns such as

heart disease. You have to be extremely careful with these medications. If a

person has very severe allergy symptoms, a doctor may prescribe allergy

shots.

Typically, patients receive the shots every week initially and gradually

taper down to once every two weeks or once a month. However, patients who

receive allergy shots must be monitored closely after the injection because

they can develop a reaction to the medicine.

Generally, the risk of reaction is very low. Patients may have a local

reaction at the injection site with a little itching and rash. However,

everyone must be watched for at least 20 minutes because some patients may

have systemic reactions with body hives, shortness of breath or dizziness.

New treatments for allergies are being developed and seem promising,

including development of medications to block the allergic antibodies and

other new medications.

Some of these are going to make major changes in how we address allergies.

Right now, most treatments address the symptoms, not the cause. In the

meantime, practice prudent avoidance of things that trigger allergic

reactions.

Dr. is chancellor of the Texas Tech University System.