Fall allergy season has arrived, but there's hope for sufferers

It's not something to brag about, but Chattanooga consistently ranks in the top 10 worst cities for allergy sufferers, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation. And while the weather is finally cooling down, the fall allergy season is heating up.

For one thing, the area's worst offender is now out in full force.

"Ragweed. That's the main problem we see here," said Dr. Lee Perry, allergist at Chattanooga Allergy Clinic. "But it's also a mix of other pollens, mostly weeds."

These seasonal allergens can make for a miserable autumn for residents trying to enjoy the beautiful weather and the outdoor activities that come with it, from football games to harvest festivals to hiking.

"Typical symptoms are itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, congestion, drainage and headaches," Perry said. "If someone reports to me that they get a sinus infection every fall, I always wonder about a ragweed allergy, because that's usually the case."

The cooling weather pattern can also be a problem in itself, triggering allergies and sometimes asthma, he added.

"We always want to make sure asthmatics are taking their medications, because a lot of times, their symptoms aren't as bad in the summer and they've gotten a little lax," he said. "This is the time of year for them to get back on them. There are also a lot of viruses going around that can cause upper respiratory infections, which can be bad with asthma patients."

Another fall allergy concern involves the return to school for kids with allergies and asthma. The important thing, Perry said, is to be prepared.

"We want to make sure they have their asthma action plans and rescue medication at school and that teachers and the administration are aware of them," he said. "The same goes for kids with food allergies: You'll want to know that the people taking care of them at school are aware and that there is an EpiPen available in case they are accidentally exposed."

Between seasonal triggers and everyday allergens, getting through autumn can be tough without help, and that's where an allergist comes in. There are several options to discuss after a person has been allergy tested, said Perry."We talk a lot about avoidance measures; we can teach you how to avoid dust mites, for example," he said. "But sometimes avoidances are impossible, like if you have pets, or the inevitable ragweed if you go outdoors. It's not a practical way of treating all allergies."

So the next topic of discussion, said Perry, is medications.

"The first option we usually suggest is an antihistamine - overthe-counter, then prescription," he said. "The second line of therapy is a nasal steroid or antihistamine spray, usually prescription. A combination of these can make [patients] feel better, and that's the goal."

But, he said, it's important to remember that medications treat the symptoms, not the problem.

"It's like putting a bandage on a cut," said Perry. "They still have the allergies. If the tests warrant it, we often talk about allergy shots. It slowly decreases the need for medication, and it often improves asthma as well."