Allergy Relief

“Allergies” is a general term that refers to a reaction the body has to allergens. Allergens are substances that are generally not harmful to the body. However, if you have allergies, the immune system thinks allergens are dangerous and tries to fight them off like it would any other intruder, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Having allergies, therefore, means the immune system is overactive. In other words, the immune system is doing something it is normally supposed to do but the reaction is exaggerated, unnecessary, and even harmful to the body. In medical terminology, this overreaction is called a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction.

There are many different kinds of allergies that differ based on the part of the body affected and the severity of symptoms. In some cases, allergies may cause a small rash or runny nose. In other cases, allergies can be life-threatening. Types of allergies include allergic rhinitis (inflammation in the nose), contact dermatitis (an allergic reaction on the skin), allergic asthma (a specific type of asthma), and anaphylaxis (a life-threatening condition that involves swelling of the airways).

Researchers aren’t sure why some people develop allergies and others do not. What we do know is that the tendency to develop allergies is genetic. This means if your family members have allergies, you are more likely to have them as well. Additionally, certain allergic conditions commonly occur together. Known as the “atopic triad,” these conditions are allergic rhinitis, eczema (also called atopic dermatitis), and allergic asthma.

Allergic rhinitis is typically caused by allergens that are airborne. These are roughly divided into outdoor airborne allergens and indoor airborne allergens. Common airborne allergens found outdoors include tree pollens, grass pollens, and weed pollens. Common airborne allergens found indoors include animal dander, dust mites, and mold.

Outdoor allergens are usually seasonal because plants release pollen at certain times of the year. Spring allergies are commonly due to tree pollens. Late spring and summer allergies are commonly due to grass pollens. Late summer and autumn allergies are commonly due to weed pollens, such as ragweed pollen. In fact, ragweed pollen is one of the primary causes of allergic rhinitis and 75% of people with pollen allergies are allergic to ragweed.

Indoor allergens may be present throughout the year. However, certain situations can make indoor allergies worse. For example, animal dander allergies may be worse in the winter because pets may spend more time indoors and there is less circulating fresh air. And mold allergies may be worse if there is a very rainy spring season.

There are many oral and nasal medications that can be taken for allergic rhinitis, both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC). More than 80% of allergy sufferers fail to choose the best OTC medication to treat their symptoms (Tan, 2018).

While it is safe to combine some allergy medications, certain combinations may be dangerous or may cause excessive drowsiness. Therefore, it is always important to talk to your healthcare provider about what you are taking, including over-the-counter medications.