Allergies, either seasonal or perennial, trigger runny, itchy, or stuffy nose symptoms. Although many people think of allergies as just a minor annoyance, experts recognized them as a common health problem. Nasal allergies, also called allergic rhinitis, are the most common allergic diseases in the United States. Symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis are periodic and occur or worsen during certain seasons. Common allergens include grass, tree, and weed pollens. Year-round, or perennial, allergy symptoms are usually set off by indoor inhaled allergens like dust mites, mold, cockroaches, and animal dander.
Seasonal allergy symptoms occur or increase when pollen is released into the air. If you have pollen allergies, your symptoms appear when the pollen you are allergic to is in the air. Since different types of plants release pollen indifferent months, you may be able to figure out what you are allergic to by identifying when your symptoms start. While some allergens are only around for a few months of the year, others are in the air all of the time.
Medicine may make symptoms less severe. Most medications that treat nasal allergy symptoms are taken as pills or nasal sprays. Allergy shots should be considered for people who experience a long season of exposure to their allergens, those with year-round nasal allergy symptoms, and those with poor tolerance or response to medications or who will not take them regularly. Immunology is not a quick fix; it can take months or years of shots. Allergies can be long term, even when you are feeling okay, your doctor may tell you to continue taking your medication. Treating your symptoms on a regular basis during your problem seasons will ensure more effective control of your symptoms.
People who are most susceptible are under 40 and already have an allergic condition: asthma or dermatitis and those who have a close relative with allergies. Some disappear with time others last for a few weeks or months. Skin tests can determine what you are allergic to, whether it is to pollen, dust, mold or food. Staying inside when pollen count is high, keeping your home clean and dust free as much as possible and avoiding foods that trigger your allergies can help prevent flare-ups.
There are four classifications of asthma: mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent and severe persistent. If your doctor feels your child has persistent asthma, allergy testing should be done. Approximately 70 - 90% of children with asthma have allergies and these allergies can greatly exacerbate asthma symptoms. Knowing what a child is allergic to can allow you to take important environmental control measures. Allergy testing requires expertise. So, if your child needs to be tested, consider getting a referral to or consultation with an allergist or asthma specialist.
An allergy test can be performed in a few different ways:
- Scratch or puncture test - An allergen is scratched across or lightly pricked into the skin. If an allergy exists, the skin will show evidence of allergic reaction by producing a small, raised area.
- Intradermal test - An allergen is injected under the skin and again the skin is examined for evidence of a reaction. This test may be needed if the scratch test results cannot be determined.
- Blood test - A blood test is usually used when a skin test is not possible.
In addition to making the proper diagnosis, your doctor should also educate you on the disease and provide you with take-home information. They should involve the family and others close to the child, act as a constant resource and help treat the diagnosed asthma as children can have a difficult time managing asthma. A doctor can make the child more comfortable, knowledgeable and, of course, much healthier.