Frequently Asked Questions - Allergies

Typical symptoms include, but are not limited to: runny nose with postnasal drip, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and itchy ear, nose and throat. A cold and/or an infection should be ruled out, as many of theses symptoms are similar.

You may also notice that your symptoms are only present during exposure to certain environments, animals, seasonal changes, etc.

Your physician can do an allergy test to pinpoint what is triggering your allergic response. As mentioned before, you may notice certain triggers, although a physician’s visit will confirm any true allergies.

Avoid known allergy triggers (i.e. animal dander, mold, dust) by maintaining a clean home environment and minimizing unnecessary exposure. There are several over-the-counter and prescription medications available to relieve and prevent symptoms associated with allergies. Pharmacists can provide education on all treatment options and recommend OTC treatments. For recurrent, troublesome allergy-related symptoms, a physician specializing in allergies will be able to prescribe appropriate medications.

Depending on the age of your child, there are appropriate treatment options — both over-the-counter and prescription. Talking to your pharmacist and physician can help determine what is best for your child.

At the Mayo Clinic Allergy Center you can find information on allergies, allergy symptoms and allergy relief or WebMD has a article describing common allergy symptoms.