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F
rom nasal congestion, runny nose and sneezing to itchy eyes,
headache and wheezing, there is no ignoring allergies when they
attack. The risk factors for environmental allergies are diverse and
include genetics, seasonal shifts, increased exposure and geographic moves.
But through relatively simple tests, allergy sufferers can learn their trig-
gers and empower themselves to leverage the assortment of ways to re-
duce symptoms.
Taking tests
The best defense against allergies is for people to know the cause and
decrease exposure where possible, according to Dr. Magee DeFelice, di-
vision chief of allergy and immunology at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hos-
pital for Children.
“It is important to be tested by an allergist to confirm whether or not
allergies are causing symptoms, in order to determine which medications
would be safe and most beneficial to use,” DeFelice says.
The main method to determine environmental allergies is skin test-
ing, which entails light pricks of different allergens to the surface of the
skin and can be performed during an outpatient visit; small hives will form
if an allergy exists. The scratch tests take approximately 15 minutes and
cause little discomfort, according to Dr. Joseph Cavallaro III, of Cavallaro
Family Practice. “It feels like a Brillo pad on your arm,” Cavallaro—who
is board certified in family medicine–says.
If additional information is required, a small amount of allergen may
be injected under the skin, DeFelice notes. Results are available within
20 to 30 minutes of the test being placed.
Don’t let seasonal
allergies keep you
stuck in the house
this spring.
By Allegra Tiver
Get Control
Of Your Allergies
AOLW_Allergies_Pages 4/16/15 1:25 PM Page 1

2. Although the majority of insurers pay for a
portion, Cavallaro says the tests are not always
covered, and it may depend on whether de-
ductibles and/or out-of-pocket expenses have
been met.
Having the tests done, however, lays the
foundation for finding appropriate solutions–and
relief. “Allergy testing either via skin or blood
helps providers decide the best medications to
use to treat patients’ symptoms,” says Dr. Jay
Mirmanesh, a board-certified pediatrician with
Advocare Pediatric and Adult Medicine.
Exposures abound
Allergy symptoms manifest when patients
reach a certain threshold of exposures, ac-
cording to Dr. Saba Aftab, a board-certified oto-
laryngologist at Advocare ENT Specialty Cen-
ter. “If you have an allergy to cats and dust, you
may not feel symptoms when exposed to a cat,”
Aftab says. “But if you go to a friend’s house
where it is very dusty and they have a cat, the
Defend against
outdoor allergies
• Keep windows closed and air
conditioning on.
• Avoid being outside in the
hottest part of the day.
• Upon returning home, take a
shower, change clothes, wash
hair and rinse nose with saline.
• Leave shoes outside
to avoid tracking
pollen in.
Defend against
indoor allergies
• Wash all bedding frequently in
hot water, and use dust-proof
covers on pillows and mat
tresses.
• Keep pets out of the bedroom.
• Vacuum regularly and with a
vacuum that has a good filter.
• Avoid carpeting, upholstery and
rugs as much as
possible.
– Dr. Saba Aftab, MD, FACS,
Advocare ENT Specialty Center
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combination of the two allergens can trigger your
symptoms.”
People suffering from multiple environ-
mental allergies may try to avoid exposure to each
and every thing, Aftab says. But she says it is im-
portant to recognize some are impossible to avoid
altogether and not become overwhelmed.
Refraining from smoking or being around peo-
ple who smoke is an important step in alleviat-
ing allergy symptoms. “Smoke is extremely irri-
tating and inflames already-swollen membranes
in the nose and sinuses,” Aftab says.
The top six allergens in South Jersey are ash,
birch, cedar, elm and maple trees, along with
grass, according to Cavallaro. He gave a forecast
for what area residents can anticipate in 2015. “Be-
cause of a wet winter and a warm, dry spring, this
year is expected to be a bad year for allergy suf-
fers,” he says.
But Aftab says South Jersey residents have it
mild compared to other regions; the southern part
of the U.S. has the highest rate of allergens due
to warmer weather and longer pollen seasons.
Pollen counts do vary day-to-day based on local
weather conditions, with more exposure on hot,
dry and windy days, Aftab explains. However, a
global phenomenon is also taking a toll.
“Duetotheeffectsofclimatechange,allergysea-
sonswillbelongerandmoresevereacrossthecoun-
try,” Aftab says. “We are already seeing this effect
Myth: There are breeds of dogs and cats that are
hypoallergenic.
Fact: While individual animals might produce
varying amounts of allergen, there are not cer-
tain breeds that are less allergenic than others.
Myth: Moving to another geographic
location will cure allergies.
Fact: Although there are geographic dif-
ferences in the most common allergens,
allergic triggers are present everywhere.
Myth: It is best to wait for symptoms before
starting medication for allergies.
Fact: Although some allergy medicines
can be used as needed when symptoms occur,
there are a number of situations when daily or
preventative use may be more beneficial.
Myth: : Changing the medication brand will
help allergies.
Fact: Only if there are side effects with certain
allergy medications should people switch the brand; if
symptoms are not relieved, people should be evaluated
by their primary provider.
Allergy myths dispelled
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4. WWW.ARTOFLIVINGWELLTODAY.COM APRIL 2015 The Art of Living Well | 17A
in comparing pollen counts now
to 20 years ago.”
On the defense
There are currently several med-
ications available, both over-
the-counter and prescription,
to combat allergy symptoms.
“Antihistamines such as Be-
nadryl and Claritin work on
blocking histamine receptors,”
Mirmanesh explains. Addition-
ally, nasal steroid sprays can be
used to control inflammation.
Antihistamines can cause fa-
tigue, and nasal sprays can lead
to nose bleeds, Cavallaro notes.
Nasal saline irrigation, used
alone or in combination with oth-
er treatments, can be helpful for
congestion. “Devices for nasal ir-
rigation are available over-the-
counter,” DeFelice says. “Dis-
tilled or sterilized water should
be used, and devices cleaned
regularly, to avoid infection.”
Leukotriene antagonists
such as Singulair may also be
used for wheezing and other al-
lergy symptoms, according to
Mirmanesh.
People generally tolerate
congestion, sneezing and some
itching, but seek medical help
when symptoms progress and
over-the-counter drugs do not
provide relief. “Immunotherapy
has been shown to be very help-
ful in those with severe symp-
toms that are not relieved by con-
ventional treatment or the symp-
tom relief requires multiple med-
ications,” Mirmanesh says.
Generally performed over a
span of two to three years, al-
lergy shots build immunity
against positive allergens, Cav-
allaro explains. And DeFelice
says that allergy shots are ef-
fective in treating both chil-
dren and adults. “Unlike med-
ications, which only treat the
symptoms of allergies, allergy
shots teach the immune system
to become tolerant of aller-
gens,” DeFelice says. “As a re-
sult, most patients receiving
shots feel a considerable de-
crease in symptoms and require
less medication.”
Left untreated, allergies can
lead to potentially serious health
issues, including recurrent ear
and sinus infections or trigger
asthma and breathing prob-
lems.
A majority of asthma cases
in children are caused by aller-
gies, Aftab says, compared with
half the cases in adults; com-
mon asthma symptoms in-
clude coughing, wheezing,
chest tightness and shortness-
of-breath. “In the most serious
cases, people can develop ana-
phylaxis–a more serious and
sometimes fatal allergic reaction
that can cause severe trouble
breathing, low blood pressure
and swelling of the airways,”
Aftab says.
Advocare ENT Specialty Center
406 Lippincott Drive | Marlton
(856) 435-9100
AdvocareDoctors.com/ENT
Advocare Pediatric
and Adult Medicine
651 Route 73 N. | Marlton
(856) 985-8100
800 Liberty Place | Sicklerville
(856) 728-7900
100 Route 73 N. | Voorhees
(856) 753-7374
AdvocareDoctors.com/DocMir
Cavallaro Family Practice, P.C.
432 Ganttown Road | Sewell
(856) 344-7916
CavallaroFamilyPractice.com
Nemours duPont Pediatrics
Locations across
South Jersey
Nemours.org
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