The Truth About Allergies

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Narrator
For many, allergies are a fact of life. …(sneeze?)

Woman getting shot
I'm allergic to grass, trees, pollen, mold…

Narrator
Nearly thirty six million Americans suffer from allergies and regardless of the season, anything from the family fur ball to your front lawn can lead to itchy eyes and runny noses.

Kathleen Sheerin, MD
Some people even complain of itchy ears. They'll start doing this…kinda what we call the allergic salute and often times that you can do it so much that you can get a crease on their nose. Nat up sneezing It is genetic. It runs in families—so if your mother and father is allergic, ahh, then you have a better chance of being allergic.

Narrator
You can't choose your parents but you can choose your remedies. Over-the- counter medications may help those with mild symptoms. Most will contain an antihistamine or decongestant to help clear things up, or a combination of the two. People with more persistent symptoms may require any of a host of prescription medicines. But don't forget the first line of defense….

Kathleen Sheerin, MD
The more you can avoid the better off you are: windows closed—keep the pollen outside. Wash the dog; don't let the dog bring the stuff inside.

Narrator
If that's not enough, being evaluated by a qualified allergist is a good next step.

Kathleen Sheerin, MD
These little circles. Little dark circles can sometimes mean either recurrent sinus infections or we call 'em allergic shiners

Narrator
One of the most reliable methods of determining allergic triggers is the skin test. Ok, hold it tight. Skin is checked for its reaction to things like pollen, mold, pet dander, foods, insect venom and penicillin. For most people the tiny pinpricks cause only temporary and mild discomfort. The other mainstay in the clinical arsenal is the allergy shot. You might be a candidate if you have symptoms more than three months out of the year. Doses of allergens are increased over several months until an appropriate regimen is achieved…then every few weeks for as long as five years. But for many who water, itch and sneeze, it's worth it.

Woman getting shot
Yes the shots help a lot because at one time I couldn't even sit out in the, you know, in the grass or the park or anything so it helps a lot.

Narrator
And this treatment can actually strengthen a person's defenses over time.

Kathleen Sheerin, MD
If you take shots for three to five years there's a good chance that you'll never need to take them again and your disease will be controlled for a lifetime.

Narrator
Leaving more time for you to do the things you enjoy most. For WebMD, I’m Damon Meharg.