Spring Allergies: A Q&A with Our Top Expert
How to handle the runny nose, itchy eyes, and sinus pain of spring allergies
Another reason is that “super infections” are on the rise because people
take antibiotics when they don’t need them or don’t finish all their prescribed
antibiotics. The result is more resistant organisms that cause worse sinus
infections -- you have these super organisms, as they call them.
We also have an increase in pollution, with so many more cars on the road
and so many more factories. Pollution doesn’t cause allergies, but it does
cause inflammation and swelling in the nose and sinuses, and worsens allergy
symptoms. Common irritants include cigarette smoke and burning coal in addition
to car and factory exhaust.
Q: Some research suggests that early exposure to infections and germs may
help protect against allergies and asthma. Do you agree with this so-called
A: I do think there might be some merit to it, yes. So exposing young
children to potential allergen sources that may bother them, such as dogs,
flowers, grasses, and so on, may help build up their immunity -- both against
infections and for allergies. As you build immunity to different things, it
also helps fight things you haven’t been exposed to. The best scenario?
Probably having a balanced exposure to everything is the best way to go. Not
too much exposure but certainly not a sterile environment.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
estimates that some 40% of all American children suffer from allergic rhinitis.
What are some of the special concerns about children with allergies?
A: Certainly children are most affected by seasonal allergies, so if
your kid has allergies, be sure to take care of it early on. Kids can suffer
from stuffy noses, postnasal drip, coughs, hoarseness, headaches, sore throats,
and clogged ears and ear infections. Often these are written off as normal, but
they are not and need to be cared for before the situation worsens. Should the
obstruction get really bad, children can suffer from breathing problems and
sleep apnea; both can cause significant fatigue and lead to other conditions if
left untreated, such as heart disease.