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The Season to Sneeze
Fall Allergy Tips
By Keath Castelloe Low
Dr. Lester reports that there are a multitude of treatment options depending on the symptoms. "There are as-needed symptom reliever medications such as antihistamines, decongestants and nasal saline rinses," he says. Antihistamines typically reduce runny noses and sneezing, as well as watery, itchy eyes and nose. Decongestants and nasal saline help with stuffy noses. Dr. Lester shares that there are also "preventive, 'controller' medications, the gold standard of which are the low-dose nasal steroid sprays," he says. "Patients with frequent need for 
controller medications or complication of allergy such as frequent ear or sinus infection, or asthma, should usually be on a controller medication."
"Patients who have seen an allergist can often have their specific triggers identified," Dr. Lester says. "Attempts at allergen avoidance are essential. Allergy testing is a painless and benign procedure that can help identify potential triggers. Then avoidance can be individualized rather than the shot-gun approach of not knowing and trying to do it all." Dr. Lester also adds that in the majority of cases, allergy skin testing is a better test than blood tests.
Krumlauf, the mother whose 4-year-old son suffers from seasonal allergies, finds that in addition to medication which "has been a savior," sometimes "a nice cool bath after playing outside" is just the ticket!
