Doctors Say When it Comes to Allergies, Treat Your Symptoms before They Start
October 2, 2007
Contact: Todd Harper
Phone: 317-630-7808
Pager: 317-310-5972
Indianapolis, October 2, 2007 – Spring isn't the only time when people are faced with itchy eyes, a runny nose and sneezing. With the October already upon us many people will be in search of relief from severe allergy symptoms at least until the first frost occurs and maybe longer.
Fall can be just as bad as spring when it comes to allergies and often worse. Working in the yard, raking leaves and planting fall flowers can often cause allergy symptoms to intensify. Damp leaves harbor molds and ragweed in the late summer and early fall can result in sinus headaches, itchy eyes, nasal congestion and asthma.
"From a symptom standpoint late summer and fall tend to be the worst for allergy sufferers," said Dr. William Baker, allergy section chief for the IU School of Medicine and an allergist at Wishard Health Services. "This time of the year tends to be really bad for people who have ragweed and mold allergies."
Before seeking treatment there are some steps a person can take to limit allergy symptoms.
"For many people avoidance measures can greatly reduce the symptoms of allergies," Dr. Baker explained. "Keeping windows closed and using the air conditioning, avoiding the outdoors for an extensive time during the morning hours when allergies tend to be the worse and never drying your clothes outside on a clothes line are some steps people can take."
In addition, if someone prone to allergies spends an extended time outside it is recommended to shower or bathe before going to bed to limit the potential of spreading the allergens.
Dr. Baker said there are three steps a person who has severe allergies should follow to treat his or her symptoms. He said the first step is to try over the counter medications. If no improvement is seen within a few days then a visit to a primary care physician is warranted. In many cases if thesymptoms do not improve after seeing a primary care doctor, a person is then referred to an allergy clinic for skin testing to determine the allergens causing the reaction. If all else fails medication prescribed by a physician, either a nasal spray or an oral prescription, typically can ease symptoms. For severe cases an allergy shot may be necessary, Dr. Baker said.
For those who tend to suffer allergies all year long staying indoors in the fall might not be much help. Indoor mold allergies and dust mites are the typical culprit for year-round sufferers.
Wishard has established a primary care network consisting of its Primary Care Center and eight Community Health Centers, conveniently located throughout Indianapolis. To access these services, the public is encouraged to call Health Connection at Wishard, a telephone call center that operates 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. The call center is also available to assist and provide helpful information to people with questions. Registered nurses who have access to a wide variety of up-to-date healthcare information evaluate people over the phone and connect them to the most appropriate level of care.
For more information on the services Wishard provides or to find a primary care physician, please call Health Connection at (317) 655-2255.