Doctor On Call: Allergies getting the better of you?

Q: How can I avoid getting allergies this springtime?

A: by Dr Melize de Villiers. 

Spring means green grass and flowers! But to some it means itchy eyes, ears, runny nose, sneezing, and worsening of asthma and eczema. 

This is because some of the most common inhalant allergens are trees, grass, pollen and dust.

Until the summer rain falls in KZN, its allergy time for many!

The best treatment is avoidance.

So, do a good spring clean around the house, including wiping the small forgotten surfaces like blinds and fans to limit dust collection. 

Also keep your room free of dust collecting items like carpets and soft toys. It’s a man’s best friend, but the dog (and cat) should not sleep in the bedroom. 

Stay indoors on dry windy days. Smoke outside (if you are still smoking).

Identifying and avoiding the causative allergen is not always easy because up to 80% of allergy patients are poly sensitized (have more than one allergy). 

Sometimes being exposed to one of your allergens, for e.g. your dog, does not cause enough rise in histamines to result is symptoms, but add pollen and grass to the mix, and you have a compound effect resulting in the symptoms.

Therefore, allergy testing and screening can be immensely helpful. This can be done by a skin prick test or a simple blood test. 

Taking an anti-histamine is the mainstay of treatment, and when prescribed by your GP, a steroid nasal spray will also help. Avoid long term use of decongestants as they
will have a rebound effect when stopped. 

Seek help, get tested and treated, so that you too, can wake up and smell the roses!