Breathing Issues

Here recently spring has rolled around, obviously allergens are acting up.  Here recently, I have had a persistent cough with mostly clear mucous, irritability,fatigue,and sore throat. My throat is sore in both the "Tickle and itch"way and a "Muscular pain" way somewhere to the left of my adams apple. I've been told that these are allergy related, but I've never had any allergies before, and even as a measure against allergies I've taken benadryl and claritin, which seem to help very little. Any thoughts?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
You seem to be having allergies to air borne allergens esp. pollen and the possibility of hay fever also cannot be ruled out. Diagnosis is done by skin testing. A diluted extract of each kind of pollen is applied to a scratch or puncture made on your arm or back or injected under your skin. With a positive reaction, a small, raised, reddened area with a surrounding flush (called a wheal and flare) will appear at the test site. Confirmatory tests is by blood tests (RAST).

Remain indoors when the outdoor pollen levels are highest like windy days. You can also use a pollen and dust mask and use a clothes dryer instead of hanging the wash outside, where it acts as a filter trap for pollen. Make sure to clean and replace your air conditioner and air cleaner filters regularly. Also effective are various types of air-filtering devices, which can be added to the heating and cooling systems in the home.

You can take OTC anthistaminics like benadryl or zyrtec.You can also use some nasal decongestants but use them for a few days only.Corticosteroids and bronchodilators can also be used. You can also use saline nasal sprays or steam inhalation at home.Another effective agent that is available by prescription is cromolyn sodium. In severe cases, Immunotherapy is advised.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted.