Autumn means allergies from some in Southeast Kansas

Autumn begins Sunday and, as it approaches, some area residents have begun to suffer the misery of running noses, watering eyes and stuffy noses.

Local physician's assistant Kelly Seifert said with the onset of autumn, residents may begin to experience allergies related to weeds or molds. Seifert said that some weeds pollinate in July, but the majority of the weeds begin pollination in mid August. Most of the time, the pollen will be present in the air until November, after the ground freezes a couple of times, he said.

Because of the humidity in the air this time of year, mold allergens can also cause a lot of problems for allergy sufferers, Seifert said, especially when the air is full of moisture.

According to Seifert, three ways to treat allergies currently exist. The first way to handle an allergy is to avoid the allergen. However, since pollens travel through the air for up to several miles, this type of allergy cannot be avoided, he said. Allergy medications are another way to treat allergic reactions to pollen or mold. Seifert said that over-the-counter allergy medications are helpful to most sufferers, but the older drugs such as Benadryl act as sedatives, making the patient drowsy. This can make day-to-day tasks difficult to carry out, and can make driving or operating machinery dangerous. Seifert said that the newer over-the-counter drugs, such as Claritin, are non-sedating. Other non-sedating medications, such as Zyrtec or Allegra, require a prescription in order to purchase them, he said. Seifert said that nasal sprays can also be of assistance during allergy season. These should be used on a short-term basis, according to label directions.

Seifert said that some who are afflicted with allergies benefit form taking allergy shots. After a person has been allergy-tested, injectable medications are created specifically for that person from the allergens that are causing the person problems. This helps the patient's body to build up an immunity to the weeds or mold, he said. Although these shots have been successful for most people who have tried them, some people do not benefit from allergy shots, Seifert said. A steroid shot, such as cortisone, is another type of injection that can be useful in fighting off allergies. Though this treatment will not cure the patient, it calms down the immune system, reduces nasal swelling, and gives the sufferer some relief. The effect of the steroid shot usually lasts a patient for six weeks. However, Seifert said, a person should wait for three or four months before receiving another shot.

Seifert works with Doctor Michael Baker, an otolaryngologist. Otolaryngologists are ear, nose and throat doctors, Seifert said. Seifert and Baker have been treating patients who suffer from allergies for 14 years.