Classification of allergies

·         Perennial allergies are symptoms that occur throughout the year.  They are usually brought on by a specific allergen or allergens in the home such as pets, mold, dust mites, cockroaches or rodents. 

·         Seasonal allergies take place during a specific time to a specific allergen.  Tree pollen allergies are more common in the early spring and grass pollens are more common in the late spring and through out summer. Weed pollens cause most problems in the late summer and into the fall.  Ragweed allergy commonly occurs in the fall. Dry, sunny and windy days are often associated with the highest pollen counts and with the worst symptoms.  Outdoor molds are another source of allergic symptoms and can be agitated by gardening or digging. 

·         Some medications can induce allergic like symptoms including:  aspirin, ibuprofen, estrogen and birth control pills. 

     Another way of classifying allergies is by intermittent versus persistent and mild versus moderate/severe.

·         Intermittent allergies are symptoms less than four days a week or symptoms lasting less than 4 weeks. 

·         Persistent symptoms occur more than four days per week and symptoms last longer than 4 weeks.   

·         Mild symptoms do not interfere with sleep, daily activities, work or school and does not cause any troublesome symptoms. 

·         Moderate/severe symptoms are associated with at least one of the following: abnormal sleep, troublesome symptoms, problems at work or school or impairment in daily activities.

     Symptoms can occur due a specific allergen in a specific environment.  Some intermittent allergies may occur when:

·         Entering a house with a pet

·         When carpet is removed from the workplace

·         Shortly after sex. Dust mites from the bed become airborne and may enter the respiratory tract 

Other diagnoses to consider

·         Viral illness. The common cold is often confused with allergies.  While they have many similar symptoms, viral illnesses usually present with an abrupt onset of upper respiratory symptoms.  Viral illnesses are often associated with a low-grade fever.

·         Foreign body. The younger child with one-sided symptoms is more at risk for having an object in the nose. 

·         Sinus infection.   Prolonged symptoms of nasal congestion may be a sinus infection.  Rarely are sinus infections associated with sneezing and watery eyes. 

·         Non-allergic rhinitis. This occurs when there is exposure to irritants or weather changes. There is less itching and more postnasal drip.  

·         Rhinitis medicamentosa

·         Hormonal rhinitis is often seen in pregnancy or hypothyroidism

·         Nasal polyps

·         Enlarged adenoid glands

·         Tumors

·         Nasal septal deviation