Latest news with #DivisionofAllergyandImmunology
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How to know if your child is suffering from allergies or has a cold
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – As the spring season arrives, many parents are noticing their children sneezing, coughing, or rubbing their eyes and wondering if it's just a cold or something more. According to Dr. Adil Khan, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Ochsner LSU Health, these could be signs of seasonal allergies triggered by the current spike in tree pollen. 'There are three different types of pollen mainly—tree pollen, grass pollen, and weed pollen,' Dr. Khan explains. 'Each of them have different times of the year that they peak, but right now, it's tree pollen season. That green and yellow dust you see on the ground and on your car. That's all tree pollen, and it's what triggers allergies and causes kids to have symptoms.' Free summer events and camps for kids in Shreveport-Bossier But how can you tell the difference between allergies and the common cold? Dr. Khan says it comes down to how your child is feeling overall. 'From a cold standpoint, those kids are typically going to be down for a day or two,' he says. 'They will be having fever, they might complain of some earache, and they might not be eating until they're full.' So, if your child has a fever or isn't eating well, something more serious could be going on, and it's time to call your pediatrician. But if you suspect allergies, Dr. Khan recommends seeing an allergy specialist. 'When they come, we want to know what they're allergic to in their environment so we can educate them about preventative measures,' he says. 'It opens up the option of what we call allergy shots. That's kind of the long-term cure for these allergies.' Loyola College Prep senior receives school's highest honor In the short term, over-the-counter medications can help relieve symptoms. Dr. Khan suggests using Benadryl before bed and Zyrtec during the day. He also recommends bathing your kids after they spend time outdoors to wash away any lingering pollen and reduce discomfort. Despite the allergy season being in full swing, Dr. Khan encourages parents to let their kids continue enjoying outdoor play. 'We never limit the kids from playing outside,' he says. 'They're kids, they're supposed to play. There's a hygiene hypothesis that says the reason allergies have gone up is because kids don't play outside anymore. They stay indoors, and their bodies don't learn how to respond.' With a solid plan and proper care, Dr. Khan says kids can still embrace the joys of Spring, without all the sniffles. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Times
18-03-2025
- Health
- New York Times
Yes, Adults Can Develop Seasonal Allergies
After decades of never experiencing seasonal allergies, you suddenly find yourself sneezing and sniffling along with the tens of millions of Americans who suffer from them. What happened? 'People tend to think of allergies as a childhood thing' and not something they can get later in life, said Dr. Tolly Epstein, an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine who researches allergies and immunology. But 'it's very common to develop new allergies,' especially in your 20s, 30s and 40s, she said. And the symptoms aren't always obvious. Most people with seasonal allergies will have sneezing, itchy eyes or nasal congestion. But those can also be accompanied by fatigue, a headache or sinus pressure — which, if you've never faced allergies before, you might mistake as cold symptoms, Dr. Epstein said. If you've recently developed a pollen allergy, you might also experience itching in your mouth after eating certain raw fruits and vegetables, said Dr. Andrew Rorie, an assistant professor in the Division of Allergy and Immunology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. That's because the immune system sometimes confuses proteins in the plants for pollen proteins, he said. What causes seasonal allergies to develop? Seasonal allergies are reactions to environmental elements like pollen or mold spores that tend to swirl around in the air during certain times — such as in the spring, when plants pollinate. When you're allergic to something like pollen, your immune system perceives it as a threat and triggers a chain reaction at the point of exposure. Antibodies in the nose or lungs stimulate the release of chemicals like histamine, which can lead to the sneezing, runny nose or congestion. Scientists aren't exactly sure why you can develop new allergies or symptoms without ever having had them before, but there are several potential causes. For one, climate change is causing allergy season to start earlier and last longer, so it makes people more prone to developing symptoms, experts said. In addition, some infections (like colds) could compromise protective mucous membranes, which could in turn weaken the body's ability to keep allergens from triggering the immune system, said Dr. Alkis Togias, a branch chief at the Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Where you live, and how long you've lived there, may matter as well. For some people, moving to a new place can bring a reprieve, if they're no longer exposed to the allergens that used to trigger their symptoms. But for others, it can introduce new problems, said Dr. Caroline Sokol, a principal investigator at the Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital. Some may see their seasonal symptoms initially disappear — typically for about three to five years. 'Then all of a sudden, the allergies come back in full force,' she said. 'But now they're directed against new pollens.' Living in the same place for a long time can also factor in. Prolonged exposure to irritants like pollen may actually increase the risk of allergies, as the body gradually builds an immune response to a substance it continually encounters, Dr. Sokol said. There's also some early research to suggest that hormonal fluctuations might affect one's allergic response. But it's not always for the worse — for example, while some pregnant women see allergy symptoms become more severe, others see them improve, Dr. Rorie said. Menopausal women may have fewer allergy symptoms than they used to, possibly because of hormonal changes, along with the declining immune response that tends to come with older age. How do you know if it's really allergies, and what can you do about it? Seasonal allergies can affect people's quality of life, including their mood and their productivity at work, Dr. Togias said: 'Whatever they're doing, they're not going to do it well.' But allergists are quick to point out that sneezing and runny noses — even during the spring — aren't necessarily caused by allergies. Technically, an allergy requires an immune system response. It's possible for an irritating substance like pollen or pollution to just trigger nasal inflammation without your immune system ever kicking into gear. If that's the case for you, it might mean that allergy medications won't ease your symptoms very much, Dr. Sokol said. If medications do work, or if you consistently experience symptoms on days with high pollen counts, there's a good chance your suffering is caused by a seasonal allergy, she said. There are widely available treatments to help alleviate symptoms, including over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays. Many allergists also offer immunotherapy, such as allergy shots, that gradually expose you to allergens like pollen or ragweed to reduce your body's reaction. Beyond medication, there are a few simple steps you can take to minimize your discomfort, said Dr. Jonathan Spergel, chief of the allergy program at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Right when you get home, 'wash your hands and face' to rinse off any allergens, he said. Take a shower before going to bed, and sleep with the windows shut, he added: 'Those common sense things that Grandma told you.'
