BUFFALO, NY — According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, an estimated 36 million Americans suffer from spring allergies, but it can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between allergies and a cold or sinus infection.

Pediatrician Mark Perry of Lifetime Health Medical Group offers some advice on identifying allergies and treatment options.

Pollens, including grass pollen, tree pollen and pollen from weeds, are some of the most common spring allergy triggers. Symptoms of allergies include sneezing, congestion, a runny nose and watery, itchy eyes.

“It can be hard to identify allergies, but if you have recurring ‘cold’ symptoms at about the same time every year, this is a good indication you may have seasonal allergies,” says Perry. “Many people avoid discussing allergies with their doctor, because they don’t want a skin test or allergy shots.”

However, a number of treatment options that don’t involve needles are available, he says. Perry frequently suggests patients with allergies try the following:

Avoid the allergen or trigger whenever possible. For example, close windows at night, or limit outside activity between 10 am to 4 pm, when pollen counts are highest
Antihistamines, whether over-the-counter such as loratadine (generic of Claritin®) or prescribed, fexofenadine (generic of Allegra®)
Nasal sprays, either steroid or antihistamine
A combination of over-the-counter or prescribed medication plus a nasal spray

“I often recommend to my patients to try one of the once daily over-the-counter antihistamines first, and then follow-up with me to review if it's working well enough to control their symptoms,” says Perry. "There are many options available for patients to help manage their allergies." If none of these treatments work for the patient, Perry suggests discussing with your doctor whether a consultation with an allergist could be beneficial.

Lifetime Health has pediatricians available at the Amherst, Mosher and West Seneca health centers. For more information, visit www.aaaai.org.

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