ALLERGENS OF THE FALL A REASON FOR SNEEZIN'

October 13, 2005
Section: Arizona Living
Edition: Final Chaser
Page: E1

ALLERGENS OF THE FALL A REASON FOR SNEEZIN'

Connie Midey, The Arizona Republic

Just when he thinks it's safe to go outdoors, rye grass starts sprouting and Mike Ofstedahl starts sneezing.
"I have to carry a handkerchief with me 24 hours a day," says Ofstedahl, 37, of Phoenix. "I'll get a sneeze attack in the middle of dinner and have to excuse myself two or three times to go blow my nose."

Spring allergies get most of the attention, but fall allergies, it turns out, are something to sneeze at, too.

"My clinic is getting busier by the day," says Dr. Laura Ispas-Ponas of the Sonoran Allergy and Asthma Center in Scottsdale. "We're already seeing allergy-related asthma flare-ups and sinus infections."

Weeds, especially ragweed, are the worst fall culprits, causing congestion, scratchy throats and watery eyes as the Valley's weather cools in October and November.

"The variety called short ragweed is the worst of all," Ispas-Ponas says. "It produces billions of pollen grains in an average season, and the grains are very light and can travel 400 miles."

Mold allergens are not as big a problem here as in other parts of the country, because Arizona usually receives little rain in the fall.

But pollens alone are enough to keep some sufferers on medication year-round. Prescription corticosteroid nasal sprays, for example, work best if taken before symptoms begin, Ispas-Ponas says. They are anti-inflammatory medicines that stop the allergic reaction, reducing nasal swelling and secretions.

Other patients add antihistamines and decongestants, alone or in combination, to their allergy-fighting arsenal, and some respond well to antileukotriene tablets such as Singulair, she says.

The tablets block leukotrienes, the bronchial-constricting and mucus-causing chemicals produced by the body during an allergic reaction or asthma attack.

"Having allergies is a complicated process," Ispas-Ponas says. "People think they can handle the symptoms on their own, but this is not a trivial disease."

Someone with poorly controlled allergic rhinitis can experience sinus infections, ear infections, migraine headaches, upper-respiratory illnesses and asthma flare-ups, she says.

Ofstedahl goes to the doctor's office for allergy shots after trying several over-the-counter medications in recent years to relieve his runny nose, sneezing, stuffiness and watery, itchy eyes.

The shots, which he gets weekly, contain increasingly higher concentrations of the allergens to which he's sensitive, and that's "just about everything, rye grass even more than bermuda," he says. The shots allow his immune system to build tolerance gradually as his body makes protective antibodies.

"I'm feeling good today," he says after receiving his sixth shot in a series.

The shots helped him during childhood, and he decided to return to them because allergies were making his family and work lives increasingly inconvenient.

"We're pretty much locked up inside the house," Ofstedahl says. "We've got the air-conditioner on, the doors locked and the windows shut. I don't want allergies to control my life."

He adds with a laugh, "Unfortunately, now my wife wants me back out helping with the yard instead of her doing it all the time."

Symptoms of allergies

If your symptoms recur seasonally and last longer than a week or two, you may be suffering from an allergy rather than a cold. Other allergy symptoms, which can be confirmed by skin or blood tests, include:

Sneezing, often with a runny or clogged nose.

Coughing or wheezing.

Itchy eyes, nose or throat.

Watery eyes.

Red-rimmed, swollen eyes and crusted eyelids.

"Allergic shiners" (dark circles under the eyes caused by increased blood flow near the sinuses).

"Allergic salute" (persistent upward rubbing of the nose that causes a crease mark).
Chest congestion.

Sources: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Allergy controls

No matter what the season is, these steps can help you control -- and sometimes prevent -- allergy symptoms:

Keep windows closed. This will minimize pollens in your house and car.

Use an air-conditioner. An air filter also helps remove allergens from the air.

Limit outdoor activities. Avoid peak pollen times (ask your allergist's office for counts) and sunny, windy days.

Communicate with your doctor. If your symptoms are getting worse, you may need additional medication or allergy shots.

Take preventive medication. If you have a history of allergies, talk with your doctor about taking medication such as a corticosteroid nasal spray before symptoms begin.

Shower before bedtime. Washing clothes frequently helps to remove pollens, too.

Learn more.

Try the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Web site, www.aaaai.org, and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, www3.niaid.nih.gov.

Dr. Laura Ispas-Ponas of the Sonoran Allergy and Asthma Center, Scottsdale.

Reach the reporter at (602) 444-8120 or connie.midey@arizonarepublic.com.

CAPTION:
Dr. Laura Ispas-Ponas CAPTION: Dr. Laura Ispas-Ponas examines Nick Demos, 22, of Scottsdale.

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