Cape Town - Whether your hayfever and sinusitis are triggered by house dust mites, animal dander, grass, weeds or dietary elements like eggs, milk, cheese or gluten – for many, summer is the season to be snotty.
Casualty units and GP practices are being inundated with requests for the “sinus injection” that lasts six months.
What exactly does one need to know about allergies?
What are seasonal allergies?
Seasonal allergies or “hayfever” are a group of conditions that can cause sneezing, a stuffy nose, or a runny nose. Symptoms occur only at certain times of the year. Common causes are trees, grasses, or weeds as well as mould spores. The weather can facilitate the abundant growth of spores especially when it is humid, wet or damp.
Often the allergen or trigger is airborne – leading to an exaggerated immune response causing irritation due to inflammation and histamine release. This causes the symptoms.
Am I doomed for life?
The first onset of seasonal allergies often occurs during childhood or in young adults. Seasonal allergies are lifelong, but symptoms can get better or worse over time. There is certainly a genetic link to these allergies – they run in families.
Symptoms that persist all year round are usually caused by:
* Insects, such as dust mites and cockroaches.
* Animals, such as cats and dogs.
* Mould spores.
Symptoms of seasonal allergies?
We all recognise the stuffy, runny nose, sneezing and itchy or red eyes, often compounded by a sore throat, or the itching of the throat or ears. Complications include insomnia leading to excessive daytime sleepiness.
What are the tests for seasonal allergies?
Besides an essential history and thorough systemic ear, nose and throat examination, a few special tests are worth knowing about. The skin test can help detect specific trigger allergens. During a skin test, a doctor will put a drop of the substance you might be allergic to on your skin, and make a tiny prick in the skin. Then, he or she will watch your skin to see if it turns red and bumpy.
How are seasonal allergies treated?
Nose rinses – rinsing out the nose with salt water cleans the inside of the nose and gets rid of pollen in the nose. Different devices can be used to rinse the nose.
Steroid nose sprays – doctors often prescribe these first, but it can take days to weeks before they work. (Steroid nose sprays do not contain the same steroids that athletes take to build muscle.)
Antihistamines – these medicines help stop itching, sneezing, and runny nose symptoms. Some antihistamines can make people feel tired.
Decongestants – these medicines can reduce stuffy nose symptoms. People with certain health problems, such as high blood pressure, should not take decongestants. Also, people should not use decongestant nose sprays for more than three days in a row. Using sprays for more than three days can make symptoms worse.
Allergy shots – some people with seasonal allergies choose to get allergy shots. Allergy shots are given every week or month by a doctor. Many people find that this treatment reduces their symptoms, but it can take months to work.
Talk to your doctor or nurse about the benefits and challenges of the different treatments.
Can seasonal allergy symptoms be prevented?
Yes. Take medication prior to your typical time of seasonal onset. Also, prevent symptoms by avoiding the things you are allergic to.
INSECT STINGS
There is a serious and possible fatal reaction to an insect sting. Insects that cause the most serious reactions include honey bees, hornets, wasps and fire ants.
They can discharge venom into your skin. Insect stings can cause the area around the sting to swell, turn red, painful, and warm. But in insect allergies, the sting also can cause symptoms throughout your body.
What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction to an insect sting?
Flushing when your skin turns red and feels hot, especially on your face. Hives are the red, raised itchy patches of skin. Angioedema is swelling of the face, eyelids, mouth, tongue, hands, and feet .
When to call an ambulance
Anaphylaxis can lead to trouble breathing, hoarseness of the voice and wheezing. You may start to swell at the throat or around the face, eyelids, mouth, hands, or feet. Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea can sometimes occur as well as dizziness or loss of awareness .
How is an insect allergy treated?
Allergy shots intermittently for desensitisation – initially shots one to three times a week for a few months, then once a month for at least three years but usually up to five years . Epinephrine stops the symptoms of an allergic reaction rapidly. Pre-filled injectors are lifesavers for those with known allergies – they should always carry at least one epinephrine injector at all times.
How people allergic to insect stings can avoid being stung
* Stay calm and try to avoid a stinging insect. Do not wave your arms when one is close by.
* Food and drinks should be covered when you are outside, and clean up any spills.
* Be cautious when wearing sandals and open-toed shoes.
* Be careful when doing things that might disturb an insect nest, such as pruning a hedge.
* If you find an insect nest in or near your house, call a pest-control service to get rid of the nest safely.
* If you live in an area that has fire ants, avoid stepping on ant mounds.
* Dr Darren Green, a trusted figure in the field of media medicine, is a University of Stellenbosch graduate who adds innovative spark to health and wellness issues. He features on 567CapeTalk.
If you’ve got medical problems, contact the doctor at [email protected], 021 930 0655 or Twitter @drdarrengreen.
The advice in this column does not replace a consultation and clinical evaluation with a doctor.
Cape Argus