S EASONAL A LLERGIES Dr. Rachna Shah Allergy & Immunology

T OPICS FOR TODAY What are the symptoms of allergies? What cause allergies? What can we do about our symptoms of allergies?

S YMPTOMS OF ALLERGIES

E YE SYMPTOMS Itchy eyes Watery eyes Red eyes Allergic Shiners Very rarely pain and sun sensitivity

N OSE SYMPTOMS Itchy nose Sneezing Runny nose Nasal congestion

E AR S YMPTOMS Itchy ears Ear popping Fullness in the ears

M OUTH AND T HROAT S YMPTOMS Post nasal drip Clearing cough Itching of palate Mouth breathing

A STHMA Inflammation of the airways Cause symptoms of Shortness of breath Wheezing Coughing Chest tightness Waking at night with difficulty breathing Increased shortness of breath with exertion

E CZEMA Itchy, red patches on the skin Located mostly on the inner surface of the elbows and behind the knees

H IVES Itchy, red, raised bumps when in contact with allergens

W HAT C AUSE A LLERGIES

I MMUNE REACTION

W HAT ARE P OLLENS AND M OLDS

P OLLEN Round or oval grains released from trees, grass, and weeds Pollen that is allergenic is small, dry, and light Need to be spread by the wind Flowers are not likely to cause allergies unless you are a florist

T REES Pollination season: Mid March until beginning of May

G RASS Pollination Season: Mid May until the end of June

R AGWEED Pollination season: Mid August until the end of September

M OLD Season: mid July through the first frost Live in soil and on plants and grass

W HAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT ?

P REVENTION Limit exposure Keep windows closed at home and in the car. Use air-conditioning as much as possible Limit outdoor activity Wear goggles and mask when cutting grass Keep windows closed Avoid gardening

P REVENTION - CONTINUED Rinse off After exposure remove clothes Take a shower and wash hair Try daily disposable contacts

P REVENTION - CONTINUED Sinus rinse or nettipot

M EDICATIONS Antihistamines Blocks antihistamine that are released during an allergic reaction

M EDICATIONS CONTINUED Steroid nasal spray Decreases inflammation in the nasal passage Antihistamine nasal spray Helps with congestion in the nose

DO NOT USE AFRIN!

A LLERGY S HOTS Series of shots that last from 3-5 years Patient is given increasing concentration of allergenic extract based on what they are allergic to Changes the immune system from having symptoms of allergies to having less or no symptoms 80% of people have improvement in symptoms In children see decreased progression to asthma in those that undergo allergy shots

C ONCLUSION Seasonal allergies result in symptoms like itchy eyes, itchy nose, post nasal drip, asthma, and eczema. Seasonal allergies are caused by an immune reaction to pollens and molds that we inhale. Pollens and mold have defined seasons. Avoidance of allergens is the primary treatment Other ways to treat allergies are antihistamines, nasal sprays, and allergy shots

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