People with seasonal allergies often forget about their plight over the winter months. Before they can fully enjoy the spring and summer weather, nasal itching, runny nose, sneezing, stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes zero in to spoil the fun.
-
alergy
dapeet
Monday, March 31, 2008 at 10:56 PMre: allergy
James Thompson, MD
Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 06:29 PMDear Dapeet,
Thank you for your question. I assume you are referring to the opening up of your doors and windows in order to allow for a breeze to flow through your home. This can be hazardous once pollens and molds have begun to fill the air. Screens cannot filter out the tiny mold spores and pollen that may come in with the breeze. When spring season arrives tree pollens burst into the air, in northern parts of this country. Mold spores rise when there has been a lot of rain. I recommend you avoid opening up your home in the spring, fall or summer if you have allergic breathing problems. Running your a/c early (change the filters first) would be safer.
If you plan on inviting the outside air in anyway, wait until late afternoon when pollen counts may not be as high. It may be better for highly allergic people to leave the home for a while (until after the windows and doors are closed again).
Thanks again for your question.
J. Thompson, MD
reply -
( :
necey
Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 06:14 PMThese tips are very helpful...thanks dr. thompson.
reply -
Surgery Options
Sharyce Huff
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 04:53 PMDr. Thompson:
I was referred to your Blog by your little Bro. My name is Sharyce (Vashone's lil Sister)
I suffer from severe allergies years round, it clogs my ears, I can barely hear during the times a a heavily congested. Therefore, I don't breathe through my nose. I take Claritian or Zyrtec plus 60-120mg of Sudafed (Generic form Pseudo(U know the rest) lol. Just to keep from having a allergy attack, even I can't breathe through my nose, It take 2 different types of nasal spray with high dosages of prednisone. From Dust to perfumes to trees and flowers. My system reacts to everything. My doctors told me to have surgery to remove Sinuses in my face above my check/ under the eye and above. Remove my tonsils and adenoids because they were enlarged and inflamed due to irritation from post nasal drip.
I also have eczema and asthma. I have food allergies(Fish, Corn, seafood, etc.)
I am horrible. But what is your professional opinion
replyre: Surgery Options
James Thompson, MD
Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 10:19 AMHi Sharyce,
You seem to have multiple problems contributing to your nose and sinus problems. The nasal blockage sounds profound, the way you describe it. You mentioned two nasal sprays but didn't identify them. Are they both prescribed? I recently posted an article about over use of topical nasal decongestants and the risk of dependency. If you are using one of the over the counter nasal spray decongestants you, in addition to allergy problems, may have Rhinitis Medicamentosa (click on the above hyperlink to learn more about this).
The surgical procedures you described may be helpful for large adenoids that block sinus drainage pathways, but they won't help the allergy problem. Aggressive and appropriate management of your allergic rhinitis may eliminate the need for surgical intervention.
You are in dire need of a full evaluation by an allergy specialist. Here are some web sites that may assist you in finding one close to you: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunolgoy & American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
The Best of luck to you,
J. Thompson, MD
reply
reply