Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Tips to manage your seasonal allergies

James Marroquin, MD
Conditions
January 26, 2014
Share
Tweet
Share

Unlike some of my classmates in medical school, diseases themselves are not something I often feel a passion to study.  I find philosophy, theology, politics, literature, history, psychology, and so many other subjects much more interesting.  But when I see a person suffering and looking for answers and relief, I am motivated to learn all that I can to help.

So while the topic of allergies is not something that really revs my jets, I think it’s worth writing about since it’s affecting so many in the city of Austin, where I practice.  Indeed, I don’t recall ever seeing so many congested, itchy-eyed, hoarse, coughing, rhinorrheic people all at once.

So what exactly is occurring when people suffer from allergies?  In response to airborne particles such as cedar, inflammation occurs, causing sneezing, itching, and fluid buildup.  There are 4 major categories of allergens, or substances that causes allergies: pollens, insects, animal allergens, and molds.

The ideal response to allergies is identifying the offending allergen and avoiding it. So in the cedar fever season, affected individuals should close the windows of their car and home, stay indoors when possible, and shower every night before bed to removes cedar from their skin and hair.  But, of course, remaining inside all day is pretty impractical and lame.

The next step, then, is to take steps to reduce the inflammation that the allergens cause.  Here are some steps for doing so.

Rinse your nose

This is particularly useful for treating drainage down the back of your throat, sneezing, nasal dryness, and congestion.  It helps by rinsing out allergens and irritants from the nose.  Do it once or twice daily.  Saline nasal sprays and irrigation kits can be purchased over-the-counter.

Steroid nasal sprays

These are the first-line treatment for allergies.  I most commonly prescribe Flonase (fluticasone) since it’s generic and cheap.  These drugs have few side effects and significantly relieve symptoms in most people.  You may need to use a nasal decongestant like Sudafed for a few days before starting the nasal spray to reduce nasal swelling.  Be patient as it can take days to weeks for these sprays to have their full effect.

Antihistamines

Think Allegra, Zyrtec, Claritin.  These relieve itching, sneezing, and runny nose, but doesn’t help with nasal congestion.  Antihistamine nasal sprays such as Astelin, Astepro, and Patanase are also available and work quickly.

Singulair

I add this medication when people are not receiving sufficient relief from the other treatments. Some people find it to be quite effective.

Steroid pills or shots

If you’re really struggling, a short course of prednisone or a corticosteroid shot can provide quick, dramatic relief.  However, your symptoms are likely to quickly return unless you get on a maintenance treatment.  Because of their side effects, steroid pills are not a viable long-term strategy for managing allergies.

Allergy shots or drops

If all else fails, I send people to an allergist for allergy shots or drops. They contain solutions of the allergens to which a person is allergic.  By receiving them, your immune response to the allergen lessens over time.  The downside of this approach is that it can be time-consuming and somewhat expensive.

James Marroquin is an internal medicine physician who blogs at his self-titled site, James Marroquin.

Prev

The FDA and 23andMe puts a libertarian in a dilemma

January 25, 2014 Kevin 30
…
Next

Does your joint replacement have a warranty?

January 26, 2014 Kevin 5
…

ADVERTISEMENT

Tagged as: Primary Care

Post navigation

< Previous Post
The FDA and 23andMe puts a libertarian in a dilemma
Next Post >
Does your joint replacement have a warranty?

ADVERTISEMENT

More by James Marroquin, MD

  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    Physicians should recognize patients’ spirituality

    James Marroquin, MD
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    Health and well-being are holistic concepts

    James Marroquin, MD
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    Some patients don’t expect doctors to be miracle workers

    James Marroquin, MD

More in Conditions

  • Why psychotherapy works and why psychotherapy fails

    Peggy A. Rothbaum, PhD
  • How oral health silently affects your heart, brain, and body

    Charles Reinertsen, DMD
  • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

    Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD
  • The emotional first responders of aesthetic medicine

    Sarah White, APRN
  • Why testosterone matters more than you think in women’s health

    Andrea Caamano, MD
  • How veteran health care is being transformed by tech and teamwork

    Deborah Lafer Scher
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • The hidden health risks in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

      Trevor Lyford, MPH | Policy
    • How New Mexico became a malpractice lawsuit hotspot

      Patrick Hudson, MD | Physician
    • Why doctors are reclaiming control from burnout culture

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • Why health care leaders fail at execution—and how to fix it

      Dave Cummings, RN | Policy
    • How digital tools are reshaping the doctor-patient relationship

      Vineet Vishwanath | Tech
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
    • The hidden health risks in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

      Trevor Lyford, MPH | Policy
  • Recent Posts

    • Why the U.S. mental health care system is failing and how to fix it [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The unseen cost of detachment in radiology

      Dr. Yesu Raju | Physician
    • I thought success was a destination. Then I became a doctor.

      Ryan Nadelson, MD | Physician
    • Why psychotherapy works and why psychotherapy fails

      Peggy A. Rothbaum, PhD | Conditions
    • The One Big Beautiful Bill and the fragile heart of rural health care

      Holland Haynie, MD | Policy
    • How oral health silently affects your heart, brain, and body

      Charles Reinertsen, DMD | Conditions

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 1 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • The hidden health risks in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

      Trevor Lyford, MPH | Policy
    • How New Mexico became a malpractice lawsuit hotspot

      Patrick Hudson, MD | Physician
    • Why doctors are reclaiming control from burnout culture

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • Why health care leaders fail at execution—and how to fix it

      Dave Cummings, RN | Policy
    • How digital tools are reshaping the doctor-patient relationship

      Vineet Vishwanath | Tech
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
    • The hidden health risks in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

      Trevor Lyford, MPH | Policy
  • Recent Posts

    • Why the U.S. mental health care system is failing and how to fix it [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The unseen cost of detachment in radiology

      Dr. Yesu Raju | Physician
    • I thought success was a destination. Then I became a doctor.

      Ryan Nadelson, MD | Physician
    • Why psychotherapy works and why psychotherapy fails

      Peggy A. Rothbaum, PhD | Conditions
    • The One Big Beautiful Bill and the fragile heart of rural health care

      Holland Haynie, MD | Policy
    • How oral health silently affects your heart, brain, and body

      Charles Reinertsen, DMD | Conditions

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Tips to manage your seasonal allergies
1 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...