Runny Nose? Scratchy Eyes? Is It Allergies?

Nationally, more than 50 million Americans suffer from 

allergies every year  

~ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   

Everyday Health

What are allergies?
An allergy is an unusual reaction to something,  like a food or a plant, which is normally harmless. Common signs of allergies are a stuffy or runny nose, coughing, hives, itching, a rash, or puffy eyes.  
Who’s at risk?
Anyone can have an allergy. Children who suffer with allergies sometimes outgrow them. Adults can develop allergies later in life.  

How serious are allergies?
Allergy symptoms range from mild to moderate. For most people, over-the-counter allergy medicines are used to control the symptoms. If you have underlying health conditions (such as high blood pressure), make certain to talk to your doctor before taking any medicines. Popular medicines for treating allergy symptoms include:

• Sudafed 
• Zyrtec 
• Allegra 
• Claritin 

For some people, allergies can be deadly. Take for example a person who is very allergic to peanuts. When this person comes into contact with peanuts, they may experience a drop in blood pressure, their breathing tubes may swell up, and they can die from lack of air. This severe reaction is known as “anaphylaxis”. People with severe allergies may need to carry emergency medicine.

                                                         What causes allergies? 

Things that can set off allergies are called “allergens.” Common allergens include  pollen (from trees and flowers) and dander (skin flakes from cats, dogs and other  pets). Also, some people are allergic to pests such as roaches, rodents or dust mites.  Dust mites are tiny insects that you can’t see. They live everywhere – in carpets,  upholstered furniture, stuffed animals and bedding. A clean and healthy home is  the first line of defense to combat allergies. 

Are allergies a chronic illness? 

Allergies are listed as the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). A chronic illness is defined as a health condition that continues for a long time – usually lasting 3 months or more. Generally, chronic diseases are not prevented by vaccines and are not cured by medication. And, they don’t disappear over time. Chronic means “constant.” Examples of chronic diseases include arthritis, cancer, and diabetes.   

How are allergies considered a chronic illness? 

Allergies can be considered a chronic disease when they result in such conditions as sinusitis and asthma. Sinusitis is an infection that occurs when nasal cavities become infected, swollen, and inflamed. Symptoms of sinusitis include facial pain; a discharge from the nose that can be cloudy, green, or yellow; and not being able to breathe through your nose. Sinusitis can be either acute or chronic:  

• Acute sinusitis lasts a short time – less than four weeks. The illness is usually part of a cold or a respiratory illness. A respiratory illness is one that affects the lungs and the airway system.  
• Chronic sinusitis occurs when the infection lasts for more than twelve weeks or returns often.  

How can allergies be prevented? 

Generally, allergies cannot be prevented but the allergic reactions can be avoided or minimized. When a person identifies a substance that causes allergic reactions, steps can be taken to avoid the substance. For instance, using the air conditioner during peak hay-fever season instead of opening windows and doors will reduce the amount of pollen in the home. Food allergies can be avoided by looking closely at food product nutrition labels and staying aware of how foods are prepared. The bottom line is if you have allergies that negatively impact your quality of life, it’s important to find out what causes them and how to take care of them. A doctor can conduct tests to help identify and treat any allergies. 

Sonja Koukel, PhD  

Community & Environmental Health Specialist