Health Watch

Pollen allergies can cause more than sniffles

Posted: Apr 28, 2011 2:33 PM by Drew Trafton ~ KTVQ News
Updated: Apr 28, 2011 2:56 PM

Pollen season is open season for allergy sufferers

BILLINGS - Pollen season, which can last from March through October-leaves many allergy sufferers trapped indoors during the best months of the year to enjoy Montana.

From trees, grasses and weeds-pollen is everywhere and many people will be faced with the familiar foe of symptoms related to their allergies.

"The routine things that we see that most everybody asks about are clear nasal drainage, sneezing fits, nose itching, post-nasal drip and that may be associated with some eye itching or tearing," said Dr. Thomas Scarborough, MD of Montana Allergy and Asthma Specialists in Billings.

However, environmental allergies can affect sufferers on a much deeper level than the sniffles while still being more subtle than the chronic soreness and swelling which afflicts those with severe allergies.

For instance, if you're dealing with reoccurring headaches, fatigue, or seem to catch a cold that just won't quit in the spring or summer-- it might not be a cold after all.

"Common colds may last five to 7 days, whereas, often allergy sufferers, whether spring, summer or fall-- they go on for weeks at a time," said Scarborough. "And they often feel fatigue because often people with chronic nasal symptoms don't sleep very well at night, so they may feel more fatigued during pollen season than they otherwise would."

Treatments range from simple over- the-counter antihistamine all the way to allergy specific shots.

Dr. Scarborough stresses, if allergies are changing the way you life your life, medication can put you right back on track.

Click here to visit the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology website to learn more about allergies and how you can combat them.

Topics: Montana Allergy and Asthma Specialists, Dr. Thomas Scarborough, MD, pollen allergies