ALLERGIC RHINITIS Itchy, watery eyes? Runny or stuffy nose? Sneezing? Post Nasal Drip? Ears, nose or throat itchy? Sound familiar? You may be dealing with allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis, often called allergies or hay fever, can exhibit some or all of these symptoms. Allergic rhinitis can make you feel miserable for a few days or even for a whole season. Most patients that suffer from hay fever or allergies routinely take antihistamines (H-1 blockers) so they rid themselves of the sneezing and itch and end up with chronic stuffy nose or sinus pressure headaches. This can result in prolonged sinus infections. According to allergy textbooks, of those with seasonal nasal allergy that is prolonged, 1 out of 4 will become chronic and begin to suffer symptoms year round. The year round congestion frequently leads to chronic sinus disease, asthma and many other complications. Treatment before this occurs can reduce the risk of chronic complications. Common Allergens Pollen from trees Grasses and weeds Dust mites Animal dander Cockroaches Mold Household dust Treatment for Allergic Rhinitis One of the best things you can do is to avoid the things that cause your allergies. You may need to clean your house more often to get rid of dust, animal dander or molds. You may need to stay indoors when pollen counts are high. If you are unable to avoid the things you are allergic to, the next option would be allergy skin testing to determine what you are allergic to. The best time to test and start treatment is when medication does not completely control the symptoms or the duration of your allergy symptoms has become over 6 to 8 weeks in a season. Results of the skin testing will give our Allergists the necessary information to create a care plan designed just for you. If antihistamines are only giving you temporary relief and the relief is not for all of your symptoms, the answer may be to begin immunotherapy (allergy vaccine shots). Immunotherapy is the closest treatment to a cure available, certainly putting your allergies in remission.