By BETH PERDUE May 30, 2011 12:00 AM

Blossoming trees and growing grasses send pollen counts skyward and allergy sufferers running indoors each spring — doing their best to avoid sneezing and wheezing their way through the season.

This year, in particular, spring burst on the scene so quickly that allergists saw a sudden spike in those seeking treatment.

“This year was a little different in that it started slow and it just came on all of a sudden,” said Dr. David Miller of Allergy Associates in Dartmouth. “Everything seemed to turn green just overnight.”

The higher the pollen count gets, the worse people feel, and the last few weeks have been especially bad, he said.

“It came on a little late, but probably a lot more concentrated.”

Unfortunately, it’s not over yet.

July is usually the quietest month, Miller said, but there will be another four weeks yet before the season ends.

The number of allergy sufferers in this country has climbed steadily in the past 25 years, with symptoms now affecting 40 million Americans, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Twenty-five years ago it was half that number, AAFA said.

Even pets are getting into the allergen mix.

Allergies is one of the top five complaints heard at Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth, according to veterinary technician Shayna Lopes.

While dogs and cats don’t typically sneeze or reach for the tissue box, they do show symptoms through their skin, she said.

Lopes’ own pit bull, Titan, is allergic to grasses, and starts licking his paws obsessively each spring. “Right now is really bad for him,” she said. “He’s been really itchy because the pollen levels are so high.”

Immune symptom responses tend to involve itching, and pets can irritate matters, or even cause infection, by constant scratching and licking, Lopes said.

“They’re hard to diagnose because a lot of people won’t do allergy testing,” she said, noting that tests can cost about $180 through the lab that Anchor uses.

Treatment varies but often includes antibiotics and steroids first, Lopes said, then testing different foods and finally, as a last resort, testing for specific allergies.

People too, often try varying medications, including antihistamines, nasal sprays and allergy shots to find relief from symptoms.

And while today’s research hasn’t resulted in breakthroughs in symptom relief, it is offering improved delivery mechanisms of already successful medications, according to Mike Tringale, vice president of external relations for AAFA.

“A lot of research we’re familiar with now is looking at, not necessarily new treatments, but how to deliver those treatments,” Tringale said.

For example, a new delivery method may someday allow patients, who now travel to receive allergy shots from their physician, a way to take their medication orally, under the tongue.

“It’s much easier and less intrusive for patients to get that kind of therapy,” Tringale said. “But it’s not here yet.”

New research is also suggesting there may actually be an upside to having allergies, although not one that offers symptom relief.

A research study is trying to determine if those with allergies are less likely to develop cancer, specifically brain cancer, after several studies suggested a possible link.

While studies have taken place that show some connection, nothing conclusive has been determined, Tringale said, adding that research to date has raised more questions than it has answered. One of those questions, he said, revolves around a specific immune system antibody, called Immunoglobulin E, that is found in higher amounts in those with allergies.

“It’s that overproduction of IgE that triggers all those allergy symptoms,” Tringale said. “Your immune system starts saying, let’s inflame, itch and sneeze everything out.”

“The question would be, ‘Is that the antibody that protects us against cancer?’” Tringale continued. “If the body produces too much IgE — is that what’s really leading to this reduction in cancer risk?”

Still, despite the lack of definitive answers, Tringale said he finds the hypothesis exciting.

“The idea that a highly attentive and overactive immune system, like a little army in your body, is obsessively guarding your health is an interesting idea,” he said. “It’s just when you turn the microscope up, bigger questions emerge.”

Tringale said the AAFA would ultimately like to see immune system research happen that leads to a cure for allergies. the disease, while not life-threatening, threatens the quality of life of its sufferers, he said.

And while recent breakthroughs have been helpful, they aren’t there yet.

“And that’s the problem,” he said. “We don’t want to get too satisfied with just treating the symptoms. we still want to have research that will find a cure.”

Ads by Google

By tgon1563 on December 29, 2010 Under Herpes Information

Immediately after a initial infection of genital herpes seems to have passed, the signs and symptoms would have departed, yet the virus will certainly certainly within the body. it is likely that this hsv will be triggered every so often, traveling via your nerve to the skin, producing continuing infections. when you have a recurrent breakout regarding herpes, the symptoms can sometimes include, a prickling or perhaps burning sensation round the sex organs just before your blisters surface.this might indicate the actual start of a repeated herpes outbreak, unpleasant reddish colored vesicles, that soon burst open to leave scabing on your exterior genital area, anus, lower limbs, and also buttocks, along with blisters and ulceration about the cervix.Question by Jen Meehan: HPV or Herpes – unsure?I have recently been diagnosed with Genital Warts (HPV) and in using Aldara cream as treatment the affected area was extremely itchy to the point that it got a type of sore arising, thus I discontinued use (thankfully the warts were gone by this point). The area is still red and looks like a rash from itching, if this makes sense, but now I am worried that this may have been caused by me having Herpes rather than just syptoms from Aldara from my HPV infection. I also have pimple like bumps on my upper thighs from time to time and have seen this can be a symptom of either herpes or HPV, anyone that could help me would be much appreciated

Best answer:

Answer by k10155You should ask your doctor. Treating herpes is simple, usually it consists of a chemical named Acyclovir. your doctor is the only one who will be able to diagnose you

What do you think? answer below!

Herpes Symptoms

When a individual is been infected with herpes, signs and symptoms never start up straight away. in this incubation phase, everyone may feel absolutely ok. yet, about fourteen days subsequent to being afflicted, characteristics and symptoms will likely commence. when discomforts do happen, it is referred to as identified as an outbreak a herpes outbreak.not everyone that has herpes will have an initial outbreak. The reality is, it is common for the people to get very little symptoms during the primary infection, nonetheless they can continue to pass on herpes!

Trusted Herpes Treatments

Early Herpes Symptoms

An individual that really does produce initial symptoms connected with herpes may possibly have a multitude of indicators. well known early indicators normally include:

* an itchiness as well as stinging feeling in the penile or anal area* Flu-like signs and symptoms, such as temperature, pain, an over-all ill experience plus body aches* Puffy glands* Pain in your thighs, backside, or maybe genitals and surrounding areas * Urethral release* Feeling of pressure in the area underneath the stomach* Pain or irritation whilst peeing* Bowel irregularity or issues peeing.

For some folks, all these signs could be gentle. for some, preliminary signs and symptoms may well often be pretty severe.it is sometimes of great benefit to check out genital herpes pictures just before visiting a medical doctor as usually one can find out that the symptoms are simply a rash of some type.

Tags: Herpes Information

Comments

are symptoms the same? which symptoms go with one and not the other?

They are 2 different organs not even near each other. the only symptoms they share is pain. Gall bladder will most likley have stones when it becomes painful. Trust me, I ignored this when my Dr told me I had to have it out. I ignored it, Was rushed to the hospital and had emergency surgery. When the surgeon took the gall bladder out, it was so infected and swollen, it burst in his hands. I had huge stones. Don't ignore gall bladder pain. It's horrible. and what makes you think you may have pancreatic caner. the two are not related.