Seasonal Allergies

1. Seasonal Allergies Dr. Rachna Shah Allergy & Immunology

2. Topics for today • What are the symptoms of allergies? • What cause allergies? • What can we do about our symptoms of allergies?

3. Symptoms of allergies

4. Eye symptoms • Itchy eyes • Watery eyes • Red eyes • Allergic Shiners • Very rarely pain and sun sensitivity

5. Nose symptoms • Itchy nose • Sneezing • Runny nose • Nasal congestion

6. Ear Symptoms • Itchy ears • Ear popping • Fullness in the ears

7. Mouth and Throat Symptoms • Post nasal drip • Clearing cough • Itching of palate • Mouth breathing

8. Asthma • Inflammation of the airways • Cause symptoms of • Shortness of breath • Wheezing • Coughing • Chest tightness • Waking at night with difficulty breathing • Increased shortness of breath with exertion

9. Eczema • Itchy, red patches on the skin • Located mostly on the inner surface of the elbows and behind the knees

10. Hives • Itchy, red, raised bumps when in contact with allergens

11. What Cause Allergies

12. Immune reaction

13. What are Pollens and Molds

14. Pollen • Round or oval grains released from trees, grass, and weeds • Pollen that is allergenic is small, dry, and light • Need to be spread by the wind • Flowers are not likely to cause allergies unless you are a florist

15. Trees • Pollination season: Mid March until beginning of May

16. Grass • Pollination Season: Mid May until the end of June

17. Ragweed • Pollination season: Mid August until the end of September

18. Mold • Season: mid July through the first frost • Live in soil and on plants and grass

19. What can we do about it?

20. Prevention • Limit exposure • Keep windows closed at home and in the car. • Use air-conditioning as much as possible • Limit outdoor activity • Wear goggles and mask when cutting grass • Keep windows closed • Avoid gardening

21. Prevention - continued • Rinse off • After exposure remove clothes • Take a shower and wash hair • Try daily disposable contacts

22. Prevention - continued • Sinus rinse or nettipot

23. Medications • Antihistamines • Blocks antihistamine that are released during an allergic reaction

24. Medications continued • Steroid nasal spray • Decreases inflammation in the nasal passage • Antihistamine nasal spray • Helps with congestion in the nose

25. DO NOT USE AFRIN!

26. Allergy Shots • Series of shots that last from 3-5 years • Patient is given increasing concentration of allergenic extract based on what they are allergic to • Changes the immune system from having symptoms of allergies to having less or no symptoms • 80% of people have improvement in symptoms • In children see decreased progression to asthma in those that undergo allergy shots

27. Conclusion • Seasonal allergies result in symptoms like itchy eyes, itchy nose, post nasal drip, asthma, and eczema. • Seasonal allergies are caused by an immune reaction to pollens and molds that we inhale. • Pollens and mold have defined seasons. • Avoidance of allergens is the primary treatment • Other ways to treat allergies are antihistamines, nasal sprays, and allergy shots

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