Is it a Cold, or Adult Onset Allergies?

By Kyle Roderick
ThirdAge Staff

Sneezing, coughing, itchy and watery eyes, nasal congestion and a runny nose ... sound like a common cold? It may not be -- welcome to allergy season!

"These are classic symptoms of allergic rhinitis, more commonly called hay fever," says Michael Kaplan, M.D., chief of the allergy division at Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles Medical Center.

Yet the term "hay fever" is a misnomer. According to Michael Glovsky, M.D., medical director of the Huntington Hospital Asthma and Allergy Center in Pasadena, Calif., "Allergic rhinitis is not caused by hay and it's not related to fever."

Rather, its symptoms can be triggered by grass, tree and weed allergies. And it's been scientifically proven that these are often aggravated by particulate air pollution produced by automobile exhaust. Glovsky adds that inexpensive skin or blood tests can isolate the allergen to which you're reacting.

"At least 20 percent of the population has allergic rhinitis," says Glovsky, and the prevalence has been rising for the past 20 years.

Even if you didn't grow up with allergies, it's possible to suffer from them as an adult. "Allergies may develop in adults because they had allergic potential to begin with and then had respiratory infections that triggered a recurrent allergy response," says Kaplan.

So how can you cope with this seasonal distress? In some cases, allergy symptoms may be relieved through immunotherapy (allergy shots) administered once a week over the course of several months, says Glovsky.

Allegra and Claritin are cited by Kaplan as two of the less-sedating antihistamines that may also help remedy allergy symptoms. For irritated eyes, Naphcon A eye drops may be helpful.

Natural antihistamines and anti-inflammatories include vitamin C, quercetin, bromelain, the sulfur compound MSM, B-complex vitamins and pantothenic acid, says Santa Barbara, Calif., naturopathic doctor and chiropractor Luc Maes, N.D., D.C. "A naturopathic doctor or a holistic-oriented M.D. can help you find out which natural substances may be best for your allergies," he says.

To find an allergist in your area or to learn more about allergies, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology offers detailed information and a physician's referral search list.