Allergies Blog

In Northern California, like alot of areas around the country, we've had a significant increase in the amount of grass pollen in the air recently. As a result, many people with grass allergy have had severe eye allergy symptoms these past few weeks. Seasonal eye allergies seem to be much worse than other allergic causes of eye allergies, especially those caused by tree and grass pollens.

Many people have been running to their doctors these past few weeks for relief of their severe eye allergies; many find relief from pills, nasal sprays and eye drops. If you choose to use over-the-counter eye drops, be sure that you use the right kind; otherwise you might wind up with more problems than ever.

Find out more:

• Spring Eye Allergies
• Over-the-Counter Allergy Eye Drops
• Nasal Sprays for Eye Allergies

With prices on the rise on just about everything these days, everyone is looking to save money. And, with gas prices at historic highs, nobody wants to make unnecessary trips to the doctor’s office or local drug store for medical treatments. With allergy season in full swing, everybody is looking for cheaper, easier ways to treat their allergy symptoms. Find out about some inexpensive ways to treat your allergies.

Learn more:

• Over-the-Counter Allergy Medicines
• Over-the-Counter Eye Drops for Allergies

During the height of pollen season, people with seasonal allergies may notice that they begin to experience allergic reactions to fresh fruits and vegetables. These reactions, called the oral allergy syndrome (OAS), are due to similarities between certain pollens and proteins found in fresh produce. Symptoms of the OAS are usually mild, and include transient itching and tingling of the tongue, throat and mouth.

During the spring and early summer, tree and grass pollens are higher, which are associated with OAS to most fruits containing a pit and tomatoes, respectively. Find out more about the oral allergy syndrome and what can be done to treat it.

Learn more:

• OAS to apples and fruits containing pits (peaches, plums, cherries)
• OAS to tomatoes
• OAS to melons and bananas

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has just released the list of the worst places to live with allergies for spring 2008. This list takes into account the amount of pollen present in the air, amount of allergy medication used by people in the local population, and the number of allergists in the local area. Did your home town make the list?

Check out the 2008 Worst Places to Live with Allergies.

Alot of people with nasal allergies blame their springtime hay fever symptoms on brightly colored flowers, but these might not be the cause of their symptoms. Most plants with bright flowers do not cause significant allergy symptoms unless a person places their nose directly into the flowers and takes a big "whiff". This is because plants with bright flowers rely on insects to pollinate them, rather than the wind. Strong fragrances can worsen nasal symptoms, but this is typically due to non-allergic irritant triggers, rather than a true allergy.

The most common reason why people with spring hay fever get worse when the brightly colored flowers bloom is because of the pollen that they can't see -- which just happens to be around at the same time as the beautiful flowers.

Learn more about

• Spring Allergies
• Nasal Symptoms with Strong Odors and Perfumes

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported on Thursday, March 27 that they are investigating a possible link between Singulair and behavioral changes and suicidality. This investigation is apparently the result of recent reports of people attempting suicide who were taking Singulair at the time. While there were no reports of suicidality or behavioral changes involving 11,000 patients taking Singulair during the manufacturers' safety studies, there have been reports of these symptoms in people taking the medication since it has been marketed. The FDA states that this investigation will take approximately 9 months, after which the results will be reported to the public.

Singulair is an allergy and asthma medication that blocks leukotrienes, a chemical released from mast cells and other immune cells, that is involved in causing inflammation of the respiratory tract. Because Singulair could be controlling a person's asthma, it is important to speak with your doctor before stopping the medication if you have concerns about possible behavioral changes. It is also important to realize that just because a few people taking Singulair attempted suicide does not mean that the medication caused the behavioral changes. If you are taking Singulair and have concerns about this possible link, check with your doctor.

Read More:

• FDA News Release On Singulair and Suicidality
• Singulair Drug Profile
• Singulair for Allergies

Allergies can be a major problem for people during the spring, and in more ways than you might realize. Sure, allergies can cause sneezing, a runny nose, and nasal congestion, but did you know that allergies can affect your energy level and mood? Multiple recent studies show that people with allergies are affected in many ways other than the typical nasal symptoms.

People suffering from allergies have decreased motivation and energy levels, trouble sleeping and problems with concentrating at work or school. In addition, allergies also affect mood. A large proportion of people with allergies feel embarassed and depressed as a result of their symptoms, and more than 50% of people would describe their feelings as irritable or miserable when allergy symptoms are acting up.

Are your allergies making you blue? Get treatment for your allergy symptoms today to not only feel better, but also to be happier!

• Seeing an Allergist
• Allergy Testing
• Treatments for Allergies

It seems as if every month, I see another study on the safety and benefits of allergy drops, also called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). SLIT has yet to be approved for use in the United States, but typically uses the same allergy extracts as those used for traditional allergy shots. SLIT is placed under the tongue, typically on a daily basis, and is usually given at home. While allergy shots are very safe, these treatments must be given in a doctor's office given the small chance of a serious allergic reaction.

SLIT is the preferred method of immunotherapy in Europe, and (once approved in the U.S) should be a welcome alternative to allergy shots, especially for those people with a severe fear of needles or a busy schedule that prevents regular trips to the allergist's office to get their allergy shots.

Read more about allergy drops.

We don't normally think of giving allergy shots to children. After all, what child would want to go through a series of shots that goes on for years? More than you think. The truth is that children may benefit from allergy shots more than other age groups. Allergy shots are used to treat allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic asthma and venom allergy in children. In addition to treating these diseases, allergy shots may prevent the onset of new allergies, as well as prevent the development of asthma in children with hay fever.

Before you decide for or against allergy shots for your child, the following articles are a must-read:

• All About Allergy Shots for Children
• What Age Can Children Start Allergy Shots?
• Do Allergy Shots Hurt?

Xyzal (levocetirizine), is the active form of Zyrtec (cetirizine), and has been available for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and chronic urticaria (hives) for the past 4 months. Recently, the liquid version of Xyzal was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as well by prescription only. This new syrup is currently indicated for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria in adults and children (ages 6 years and older). Since Zyrtec syrup has been available for years, and is indicated for children as young as 6 months of age, it should only be a matter of time before Xyzal is also approved for children younger than 6 years of age.

Xyzal syrup will give yet another option for the treatment of children with allergic diseases with low-sedating antihistamines. Other current options include Zyrtec syrup, Allegra (fexofenadine) syrup, Clarinex (desloratadine) syrup, and Claritin (loratadine)syrup. Currently, only Zyrtec syrup and Claritin syrup are available over-the-counter without a prescription. I would suspect that Xyzal syrup will be available by prescription sometime during the spring or summer of 2008.

Learn more:

• Antihistamines for Allergic Rhinitis
• Best Medications for Allergies
• Treatment of Urticaria