Not sure which over-the-counter medications to buy? Pharmacologist Joe Graedon from “The People’s Pharmacy” shares some of his wisdom about allergy treatments that you can find at the grocery store.
It’s time to kick back and go on vacation, but are you gonna let allergies ruin your trip? As you may already know form experience, hotel rooms can be a hot bed for allergens. Here’s a great list of ways to make your hotel room allergy free, from the Allergy Buyer’s Club:
1. Very few hotels have “green rooms” but it’s worth asking. Green rooms carry less allergen than traditional rooms. They are specially equipped with hardwood floors rather than carpets, blinds rather than drapes, hypoallergenic bedding, and allergy free dust mite encasings.
2. Get a non-smoking room and if you are allergic to pets, a room that has not had pets stay in it.
3. Take a spray along to kill the mold and remove the dust in the air conditioning system. I recommend “Filter Plus”, available at Home Depot.
4. Ask that the air conditioner filter be changed before you arrive.
5. Hotel room a little dry? Throw a few wet towels around, or turn on the shower to fill-up the room with steam and keep your sinuses moist. Keep using your saline spray frequently. We don’t recommend asking the hotel for a humidifier - many of them only spray around ugly bacteria.
6. Allergic to dust mites? Take your own dust mite pillow encasings with you. You might try taking your own allergy free pillow if you travel by car.
7. If you are allergic to mold, do not get a room near the swimming pool- it is likely to have a higher concentration of mold spores.
8. Ask the hotel to provide you with a hypoallergenic, feather free pillow.
9. Ask that the room not be sprayed with scented air freshening sprays before you arrive.
According to Dr. Clifford Bassett, the dark circles beneath your eyelids are directly related to allergies and inflamed sinuses. How do you prevent them this allergy season?
Dr. Basset says:
The best way to prevent this is to choose your parents wisely! No joke, allergies are generally inherited from our parents and when they affect us we need to act and get proper treatment, which in many cases will improve the “shiners.” Allergy injections, medications and sinus care may provide relief, allowing your dark circles to lessen.
Another strategy that helps is to place a cool compress at the end of a long work day over your eyes, too. Also, gently irrigating your eyelids once a day with tear-free shampoo can assist in removing airborne pollutants and those pesky seasonal allergens thus lessening your “allergic shiners.”
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Americans spent $11 billion on doctors’ bills, prescription drugs and other allergy treatments in 2005. That’s an average of $500 per person.
In 2000, Americans spent only $6 billion on allergies—nearly half of the 2005 figure. The question is, how much of the increase has to do with an increase in allergies, and how much has to do with a rise in prices? In both 2000 and 2005, popular medications such as Zyrtec and Claritin were strictly prescription drugs. Now, the two are over the counter—our guess is that there will be a significant increase in spending evident whenever they do the study next.
So, how the allergies treating you so far? Unless you got our previous posts about how to control your allergies this allergy season, probably not too great. That said, here are some more summer allergy tips, a la HealthNewsDigest.com:
• If you stay in air-conditioned areas with windows closed, you may reduce your symptoms. Be aware that symptoms will flare up the moment you go outside and may remain with you for the rest of the day.
• Window air-conditioning units are useful in filtering out large, airborne pollen particles. If you are allergic to pollen it is recommended to run the air-conditioner as much as possible during the warm-weather months. If you use an air conditioner, keep it clean. Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems harbor moisture, mold and dust.
• If you suffer from mild symptoms, over-the-counter antihistamines will help for a few hours. Caution should be taken because they may cause drowsiness. Driving and operating heavy machinery should be avoided. Occasionally, older men develop urination problems when taking antihistamines.
• If you need more relief, over-the-counter antihistamines combined with a decongestant can relieve symptoms, but read the package for health warnings. Individuals who take multiple medications, and those with chronic medical issues like hypertension or prostate problems, should consult a physician.
• If you are concerned about your symptoms, please see your physician. In almost all instances, identifying allergic sensitivities and tailoring treatment with prescription drugs, nasal sprays, eye drops, non-sedating antihistamines or allergy shots, or specific allergen avoidance can help alleviate symptoms.
Well, not exactly—if you’ve always been a city dweller it’s probably too late. Doctors have found that children born into rural, farm families have lower rates of allergies and asthma than urbanites. Why? If you’re exposed to dirt, bacteria and other allergens at a young age it may protect you from developing the allergies all together!
Pediatrician Bianca Schaub at the University Children’s Hospital in Munich, Germany, recruited two groups of children to test out the theory that early exposure can lead to immunity. Both groups were unborn when the testing began, but one group was of mothers who were exposed to farms during their whole pregnancy, while the other was not exposed to farms during their pregnancy. When the children were born, Schaub took blood samples and compared the two groups—the differences were obvious. Children from mothers exposed to a farm during pregnancy had higher regulatory T cells, which keep the immune system healthy. When the children got older, the ones with more T cells had fewer allergies and were less likely to have asthma.
As your teary eyes and stuffy nose might have pointed out by now, the allergy season is upon us. There are so many different ways to treat allergies and allergy symptoms, but which is right for you? The Oregonian discusses the different treatments, their benefits and drawbacks, and how you might be able to get your hands on them.
Avoidance
How it works: If the allergens don’t get to you, you don’t sneeze or get hives.
Benefits: Prevents allergies from starting. Can be low-cost.
Drawbacks: You must know what you’re allergic to in order to avoid it. And it can be hard to avoid pollen, dust mites and other widespread allergens. Items like air filters and mite-blocking mattress covers can be expensive.
How to get it: Notice when and where your allergies start and get worse, then talk to a doctor about possible causes and ways to avoid them.
Saline spray
How it works: Washes pollens and inflammatory cells from the nose.
Benefits: Cheap and easy to use.
Drawbacks: Can feel unpleasant. Doesn’t always work, especially for serious allergies.
How to get it: Available at stores for about $1.50 a bottle.
Nasal steroid spray (Flonase, etc.)
How it works: Reduces inflammation of the nose. Exactly how is not known.
Benefits: The best medicine for relieving nasal allergy symptoms including sneezing and itchy, runny noses and congestion.
Drawbacks: May cause bloody noses. Some people find the smell or feel of certain sprays unpleasant.
How to get it: A doctor must prescribe one of the many steroid sprays. Switch if you don’t like the smell or feel of one—all the brands work equally well. Price can be as much as $100 for prescription brands.
Cromolyn (NasalCrom) nasal spray
How it works: Stops allergies from happening by keeping mast cells from releasing allergy-causing chemicals. Start using a week or two before your allergy season begins.
Benefits: May prevent your allergies entirely.
Drawbacks: Works only for some people. Doesn’t help symptoms once allergies start.
How to get it: Over the counter in stores. Costs roughly $15 a bottle.
Non-sedating antihistamine pills (Claritin, Zyrtec, etc.)
How it works: Blocks inflammatory chemicals called histamines.
Benefits: Helps relieve sneezing and itchiness in the nose and throat for many people, usually without causing drowsiness.
Drawbacks: Doesn’t help congestion, so some brands mix in a decongestant (like Claritin-D). Some brands, including Zyrtec, cause sleepiness in a minority of users. Don’t double the dose, which raises the risk of sedation.
How to get it: Over the counter, though Allegra and a new drug, Xyzal, are prescription. Costs run from 7 cents a pill for generics to $3.50 a pill for Xyzal.
Sedating antihistamine pills (Benadryl, diphenhydramine)
How it works: Blocks histamines.
Benefits: Helps relieve sneezing and itchiness in the nose and throat for many people.
Drawbacks: Makes most users very sleepy, with a “significant hangover effect in the morning” that can make it dangerous to drive or run machinery, Dr. Anthony Montanaro of OHSU’s Allergy and Immunology Department said. That’s why diphenhydramine is in sleeping pills.
How to get it: Over the counter. Costs run from 5 to 25 cents a pill.
Singulair, a pill.
How it works: Blocks leukotrienes, chemicals that help inflame the nose.
Benefits: Works about as well as antihistamines but in a different way, for people who don’t get help from antihistamines. Also may help asthma.
Drawbacks: The FDA is studying a possible link to depression and suicidal thoughts.
How to get it: Prescription required. Costs about $3.50 a pill.
Eye drops
How it works: Antihistamine eye drops fight inflammation and itchiness. Over the counter eye drops may just relieve itching and redness.
Benefits: Targeted relief for people with especially bad eye symptoms.
Drawbacks: Can sting slightly. Prescription drops are expensive.
How to get it: Antihistamine drops take a prescription and can cost $100 a bottle. Over-the-counter drops cost several dollars a bottle.
Allergy shots
How it works: Officially called immunotherapy; a doctor injects you with small but increasing amounts of allergen until your immune system adjusts.
Benefits: Can actually cure allergies in many cases.
Drawbacks: Shots hurt, and you have to see the doctor weekly at the start and get injections for years. There’s a risk of a serious allergic reaction to the shots.
How to get it: An allergist prescribes and gives the shots. Can cost roughly $2,000 for full treatment, but it’s covered by most insurance plans.
Some summer allergy tips from NetWellness.org:
In addition to the new generation of prescription medication that’s bringing relief to allergy sufferers, there are a number of self-help measures that can help allergic persons get through another summer.
From the Sun-Times News Group, here’s an article that instructs you how to allergen-proof your home.
Window treatments
Replace dust-collecting drapery with metal or wood blinds, shades and shutters. Although they may become dusty, these materials are easier to clean on a regular basis than fabric treatments.
Flooring
Remove wall-to-wall carpeting and replace with hard-surfaced materials such as hardwood, stone or ceramic.
Use throw rugs that can be washed or dry-cleaned regularly. If carpeting must be used, choose one that is very dense and low-piled where contaminants sit on the surface and are easier to remove.
Paint
Select an eco-friendly paint. Most all of the major paint manufacturers now offer some type of low or no-VOC paint. VOCs present in paint and finishes produce low-levels of toxic emissions released into the air after application.
Natural paints are a great option, too, since they are made from natural raw materials such as clay, chalk, natural latex, beeswax and earth pigments. Sensitivity to these paints is very low.
Maintenance
Weekly, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to clean carpets, rugs, vents and baseboards.
Install properly sized exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen to remove mold-causing warm, humid air. Similarly, exhaust dryer to the outside.
Incorporate a place for shoe-removal at the main family entrance so dust, bacteria and pollens are not tracked into the house.
Miscellaneous
Rather than over-stuffed upholstery, consider wood-framed pieces with removable cushions having covers that can be washed or dry-cleaned.
To reduce dust mites in the bedroom (where people spend 1/3 of their day and is a haven for dust mites), use allergen-proof covers on comforters, mattresses, box springs and pillows.
Here are some great tidbits of information about allergies from a pamphlet that we picked up at the local Whole Foods store. Read, take notes and learn. Allergy season is upon us!
The reason more of us in the U.S. are getting allergies may be due to our modern lifestyle. Exposure to environmental sources is to blame, including chemicals and pollution (indoor and outdoor) highly processed low-fiber diets, overuse of antibiotics and stress (Healthnotes Newswire, August 18, 2005).
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that more than 20 percent of the population in the U.S. is affected by allergies.
Hay fever is the common term used to pollen allergies (a.k.a. seasonal allergic rhinitis). The pollen comes from trees, weeds and grasses at different times of year for different regions of the U.S. and you may react to one or more types. When you do, the mucus membranes in your nose and sinuses become inflamed causing congestion, irritation sinus pressure and/or pain. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases reports that hay fever has increased significantly in the past 15 years.
Not only do homeopathics relieve immediate symptoms, they also address the underlying cause of the symptoms for a balanced immune response in the future. A formula may include one ingredient to quickly help a headache , and another ingredient to decrease your body’s sensitivity to the allergen and the severity of symptoms in the future… without side effects!
Next time you eyes are red, inflamed, dry or itchy, try homeopathic eye drops. Or, when you have sinus congestion, give homeopathic nasal spray a sniff. They quickly soothe and relieve while building your body’s natural defenses.
Green tea is revered for general health, as it is packed full of antioxidants. Research has also shown that its active components — such as ECGC (epigallocatechin gallate)— may help to support healthy allergy response.
Studies show that acupuncture is effective in providing relief from allergy symptoms, possibly by influencing the immune system. Acupuncture in combination with Chinese herbal formulas and dietary changes is a popular approach (Allergy 59: 953-60).
Diets low in omega-3 essential fatty acids have been associated with increased risk for hay fever. Reduced risk of hay fever has been linked to higher intakes of the omega-3 EPA (eicosapentaeonic acid), which is found in fish oil (Allergy 58: 1277-84). Also, high intake of omega-3s are linked to reduced rhinitis (Primary Care 29, 2002: 231-261).
Allergies can be a sign of a compromised immune system (National Institutes of Health MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia). Support yours by managing stress, eating more nutrient-rich whole foods and less sugar, supplementing with nutrients you may not get sufficiently from food, drinking water, getting sleep and exercising.
