Modern Treatments Offer Relief for Seasonal Allergies Milton, MA - Sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat, watery eyes, wheezing, coughing, fatigue, and headache. Do these symptoms sound all too familiar? If they occur at the same time each year or last longer than a cold, you could have seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergies can be triggered by tree pollen in early spring, mold spores and grass pollen in the summer, ragweed pollen in late summer or even sap from cut grass. Their effects can be debilitating, but with today's treatment options, there is no need to suffer. An allergist can administer some quick and painless tests to determine the reason for your seasonal discomfort. "There are a number of effective treatments. Nowadays, there is really no reason to suffer from allergies," said Zuhayr Hemady, M.D., a Milton Hospital allergist with a practice in Quincy. "You can get a lot of relief from certain medications, allergy shots, or by using air conditioning," Dr. Hemady said. Simply avoiding allergy-producing agents, or allergens, can eliminate allergy symptoms. By keeping car and house windows closed, washing your hair at night if you've been outside, and keeping your pets clean, you can limit your contact with pollens. But avoidance is not always a practical solution. In many cases, a single pill or liquid can treat an entire range of allergy symptoms. Antihistamines block the effects of histamine, which causes sneezing, itching, and wheezing. Corticosteroid sprays deliver medication directly to the inside of the nose, reducing uncomfortable nasal inflammation. Eye drops can help control itchy and watery eyes. For some, allergy shots are the most effective treatment. Allergy shots consist of small amounts of an allergen. After a few weeks of routine injections, the body's immune system builds a tolerance to the allergen. Proper treatment can help you feel better when pollens take flight. For a list of allergy specialists, call Milton Hospital's DoctorLine at 617-696-4600.

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