Allergies: They're something to sneeze about

“It’s that time of year again when kids are back in school, football is back on the TV and ragweed pollen is in the air,” said Dr. Josh Thoendel of Antelope Memorial Hospital. “Here in Nebraska, we are blessed with an abundance of allergens. I’ve talked to patients who have moved from Montana, North Carolina, Texas and California and they’ve all told me they never had allergies before they moved to Nebraska. Tree pollen in the spring, grass in early summer and the King Kong of allergens, ragweed, is in the air from late July until frost. This year, the hot, dry conditions may have made it harder for plants to grow. However, it also kept pollen floating around in the air much longer than it would have - with a few rains to tamp it down.”

What can allergy sufferers do about it? According to Thoendel, “The first strategy is avoidance. Keep your windows closed and your house clean and stay inside, especially on the hot, windy days. This cuts down the amount of pollen getting into your eyes and nose, which will lower the amount of allergic reaction you get. For people in agricultural communities, avoidance isn’t an option. In that case the first-line medication is an over-the-counter antihistamine. Cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), loratadine (Claritin) and levocetirizine (Xyzal) are all non-drowsy options that can be taken on a daily or as-needed basis. For more severe symptoms, a nasal steroid like Flonase is the gold standard. These medicines treat symptoms in both the eyes and nose and are safe for long-term use. You do have to use them for five to seven days to get the most effect out of them, so don’t judge them by how you feel the first three days.”

People frequently ask about allergy shots. Thoendel said though these once- or twice-a-year treatments work, they also are very bad for your body overall.

“Steroid shots cause weight gain, higher cholesterol, increased risk of glaucoma, heart disease, stroke, bone thinning and the list goes on. It’s like using a hammer as a flyswatter. These are not recommended for allergies except in the most severe cases such as anaphylaxis.”

Individuals who suffer from allergies and find over-the-counter options don’t work may seek treatment from a healthcare provider. Treatments are available by prescription.