by H. Farhadian. M.D., F.A.A.P.
Now that we are approaching the end of winter, and spring is around the corner, so is the allergy season. The trees start budding and an exploration of heavy pollen is imminent.
Imagine 35 species of evergreens, 60 species of oak, olive, eucalyptus, sycamore, and box elder trees pollinating in this area. Following the pollination of the trees, grass pollens such as Bermuda, Johnson, blue and rye grass, and at least a half dozen other grasses will pollinate heavily.
Imagine 35 species of evergreens, 60 species of oak, olive, eucalyptus, sycamore, and box elder trees pollinating in this area. Following the pollination of the trees, grass pollens such as Bermuda, Johnson, blue and rye grass, and at least a half dozen other grasses will pollinate heavily.
This makes people with allergies more prone to hay fever, asthma and eye allergies. According to different statistics, it is eliminated that between 10-20 percent of the American population suffer from some kind of allergy. Sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, wheezing, coughing and sinus headaches are cardinal symptoms and main complaints of patients who suffer from allergies.
More than 80 percent of the time allergies are hereditary. Geneticists believe that if one of the parents has an allergy, there is a 25-35 percent chance that their child will have this condition. If both parents afflicted with the disease, there is more than 50-60 percent chance the child will be born with allergies.
Beside the pollens that are usually the culprit of allergies in the spring, other agents such as dust, animal hair and dander, molds and foods might cause allergic disorder.
Insect bites in some allergic patients cause a skin rash and at times systemic reaction, which can be dangerous. We might add medicine such as penicillin, sulfa, and aspirin to the list of agents that cause allergic reaction. Other contributing factors are weather changes, wind, smog, change in atmospheric pressure and emotional factors. The best treatment for allergy is prevention, if that could be possible. Treatment of the symptoms for immediate relief is recommended. The alleviation of symptoms is usually achieved by proper medication such as first and second-generation antihistamine, sometimes combined with decongestants. Second generation antihistamines are newly developed anti-allergic medications that do not have the side effects of old generation antihistamines such as drowsiness, dry mouth, and prostate complications.
We believe that for long-term relief of symptoms and a permanent approach to therapy, the cause of the allergy should be treated along with symptoms. To accomplish this goal, the allergist all perform tests to determine the cause of the allergy and then recommended avoidance if possible. If not, immuno therapy will be suggested. Using this method, the person develops immunity t the offending agent. This results in gradual disappearance of the symptoms and discontinuation of symptomatic medication.
For more information, call:
Santa Clarita Valley: (661) 259-6996
Antelope Valley: (661) 266-3322