Windy day spawns Arizona allergy concerns
May 6, 2014, 3:34 PM | Updated: 3:35 pm
PHOENIX — The high winds in Arizona made things tough on allergy sufferers Tuesday.
Dr. Tara Carr, with the Sinus and Allergy Clinic at the University of Arizona Health Network in Tucson, said she’s been swamped with patients.
“I tend not to say no to people who want to come in,” she said. “I’ve been adding on patients every day who are not feeling well or want to be seen sooner than the next available appointment.”
Carr suggested that those with allergy problems stay indoors and make sure the air conditioning is on and the filters are clean. She said that relief may also be as close as your nearest drug store.
“There are over-the-counter medications that can be helpful for patients with milder allergy symptoms,” Carr said. “There are over-the-counter antihistamine pills, some of which are non-sedating and can last for 24 hours. There are decongestant pills that patients can take for nasal congestion. There’s an over-the-counter nasal steroid spray called Nasacort that can be helpful if patients are using it regularly.”
If those don’t help, Carr said your doctor may be able to give a prescription or an allergy shot to help alleviate symptoms. You should also see an allergy specialist if you don’t know what it is that you’re allergic to.
May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.
