by H. Farhadian. M.D., F.A.A.P.
Is it going to be a bad allergy season this year? This is one of the common questions recently asked. The answer is yes.
Due to rainfall and humidity, plants have grown and are spreading pollens in the air. In spring time mainly, trees and grasses pollinate.
Imagine 35 species of Evergreens, 60 species of oaks, Olive trees, Eucalyptus, Sycamore, Box Elder, etc. are the most pollinating trees in this area.
Sneezing, runny noses, itchy eyes, wheezing, coughing, and sinus headaches, are the cardival symptoms and main complaints of the patients who suffer from some kind of allergy.
In more than 80% of the time allergies are hereditary. Geneticians believe that if one of the parents has allergy 25-35% chance that their child will have this condition. However, if both parents are afflicted with the disease, there is more than 50-60% chance the child will be born with allergies.
Besides the pollens that usually are the culprit of allergy in spring and fall, other agents such as dust, animal hair and dander, molds, especially during rainy season and foods might cause allergic disorder. Insect bites, especially bee’s sting in some allergic patients cause skin rash and at times systemic reaction that could be dangerous. We might add drugs such as penicillin, sulfa, and aspirin to the list of agents that cause allergic reaction.
Other contributing factors are weather changes, wind, smog, change in atmospheric pressure and emotional factors.
The best treatment for allergy is the prevention, if that would be possible. Treatment of the symptoms for immediate relief is recommended. The alleviation of symptoms is usually achieved by proper medications, such as first and second-generation antihistamines, sometimes combine with decongestants. Second generation antihistamines are newly developed anti-allergic medications that do not have the side effects of old generation antihistamines such as drowsiness, dry mouth, and prostate complications.
We believe that for long-term relief of symptoms and permanent approach to therapy, the cause of allergy should be treated along with the symptoms.
To accomplish these goals, the allergist will perform tests to determine the cause of the allergy and then recommended avoiding if possible. If not, immunotherapy will be suggested.
By this method the person develops immunity to the offending agent. This result is gradual disappearance of the symptoms.
For more information, call:
Santa Clarita Valley: (661) 259-6996
Antelope Valley: (661) 266-3322