Lawrence Chow / ENT Doctor
Dealing with Allergies in the Time of the Coronavirus
It’s quite unfortunate that allergy season is already in full swing at the same time as Covid-19 continues to take lives. Many people who experience allergies at this time of the year may be more anxious about their symptoms for this reason.
Are you one of them or you know somebody in these shoes? Your anxiety is justified, in a way, because allergies can have an impact on the overall health of your respiratory system. You may even be at greater risk of getting the coronavirus because your respiratory system is more fragile.
But before you succumb to panic, here are a few things that you should know to keep your wits about you.
Keep Your Lungs Healthy From the Start
If you have had allergy attacks at this time of the year before, then you will likely still get them in 2020. You should then start taking precautionary measures now so that your lungs will be remain healthy. You can talk to your ENT doctor about starting early on your medications, perhaps changing them to account for the new threat.
The earlier you start on your anti-allergy medications, the less likely you will experience the symptoms. Your body’s immune system isn’t sent into overdrive fighting the inflammation caused by allergens and, thus, it has less mucus production. The common medications include nasal steroids and antihistamines, which are prescribed as a way to control the symptoms of an allergy attack.
Of course, you should minimize your exposure to the allergens that trigger your symptoms. Since this is the time of Covid-19, you have to adopt the preventive measures recommended by WHO and other medical experts. These include practicing good hygiene including washing your hands frequently and social distancing.
Keep Calm and Carry On
Unless you have been exposed to people carrying the coronavirus or people diagnosed with Covid-19, you have to keep calm if your allergy symptoms seem to have returned. You may or may not have the coronavirus but it’s important to keep calm, seek testing and medical treatment, if needed, and protect others.
There are also cases when an allergy attack happens for the first time in adults. Again, don’t panic as it’s actually common for adults who have never experienced allergies to have them in later life. The adult-onset allergies may likely be due to higher levels of pollution and declining immune system function.
The bottom line: There may be no effective vaccine and treatments yet for Covid-19 but there are treatments that will address your allergies. Get control on what you can and let the medical experts find the solution to the current pandemic.
For details of the ENT services, diagnosis, and treatment, please consult our ENT doctor.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
https://www.hkentspecialist.hk
Do You Have Sinusitis or Allergies? What is the difference?
Some people have a stuffy nose that goes on for a few days, and they may think that they have sinusitis. Others immediately think they have allergies. There are even those who think that they’re the same problem, but that’s not really true.
The Different Causes
It’s true that your nose and sinuses become stuffed up when you have allergies or sinusitis. But it’s also true that your sinuses are stuffed for different reasons. If you are allergic to pet dander, dust mites, mold, and pollen, then your nose and your sinuses can swell up when you’re exposed to large amounts of these allergens. That’s because your nose and sinuses are trying to flush out these foreign particles.
Sinusitis is the condition in which the tissue lining of your sinuses have become inflamed or swollen. It’s true that this condition can arise when you have allergies. But your nose can become stuffy even if you don’t have allergies.
Symptoms of Allergies
Yes, with allergies you can have a stuffy nose as a result. But you can have other symptoms too. You may constantly sneeze while having a runny nose. Your eyes can become watery or itchy. You may even wheeze a lot.
You’ll start to feel these symptoms when you come into contact with the particles to which you’re allergic. The symptoms may not disappear until you’re no longer in contact with these allergens.
If you’re particularly allergic to pollen, then this can be a seasonal allergy. But it can happen at any time of the year if you’re allergic to dust mites, mold, or pet dander.
Symptoms of Sinusitis
With sinusitis, a stuffy nose is also just one of the symptoms that may present. You may determine that you have sinusitis when you find that your mucus has become thick and colored. You may have pain in your teeth, a headache, or a light fever. There may be a swollen, painful feeling around your cheeks, eyes, and forehead. Fatigue is possible as well.
You may have postnasal drip, when the excess mucus goes to the back of your nose and into your throat. Other symptoms include a sore throat, coughing, and bad breath.
These symptoms can appear after you’ve had allergies or a cold. Some of the symptoms can go on, even when you’re no longer in contact with the allergens or the cold has gone away. The stuffy nose, and in some cases the coughing, can last for a week or two.
If it lasts for less than 4 weeks, you have acute sinusitis. But if you have the symptoms for more than 3 months, it’s classified as chronic sinusitis.
Since ENT problem is quite different from case to case, it is suggested to consult an ENT Specialist for the appropriate ENT services.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
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另所有文章內使用的人名均為化名。