CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Apr 27, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Children with allergies and
asthma may benefit from an allergy evaluation, a U.S. allergist advises.
Dr. Maya Jerath of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of
Medicine says controlling allergy symptoms can prevent some of the common
complications of untreated allergies like sinusitis and ear infections.
Some sufferers seek relief with supplements like vitamin C or zinc, Jerath said.
"These supplements may help with colds, but there are no studies showing they
work for allergic rhinitis," Jerath says in a statement. "However, nasal saline
rinses can be helpful in mitigating symptoms because they minimize exposure by
clearing out any allergens that might be present. In addition, there are a few
small studies that show regular use of these rinses can change the cells lining
your nose making it less prone to inflammation, which creates that stuffy
feeling."
The best way to reduce the impact of seasonal allergies is to avoid exposure,
but Jerath says it is "unrealistic to tell people not to go outside."
"There are many prescription medications that work well for allergies," she
says. "Similarly, if your symptoms last for more than a season, you can see a
doctor to find out what you might be allergic to, and to see if you're a
candidate for immunotherapy -- a treatment that aims to cure allergies."
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International