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CNN Sunday Morning
Weekend House Call: Allergies
Aired July 20, 2003 - 08:28 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. Today on WEEKEND HOUSE CALL, allergies high, priced medications, and alternatives. Ever since Claritin became available without a prescription consumers have been feeling the impact on their wallets. If you're having trouble affording your allergy pills what alternatives do you have? Today, we'll offer some options from those of you suffering sneezes, sniffles, and sticker shock.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Allergy season can be agony for 50 million Americans.
NIERON KRVINE, ALLERGY SUFFERER: I like to say, "Satan pays me a visit," and just gives me everything he's got about pollen. Itchy throat, the nasal problem, and the itchy eyes, the whole works.
COHEN: Many people turn to over the counter antihistamines for relief. Products like Benadryl have been on the market for years. At 15 cent percent pill, Benadryl clears up the runny nose and sneezing, but it can also cause drowsiness. Claritin, a non-drowsy allergy medication used to be available by prescription only. But, in December of last year, it made its debut on the shelf meaning you can buy it without a prescription. The only problem is it's expensive, costing about $1.20 a pill. A month's supply can run over $100. Consumers complained.
DR. CAROL JAGDEO, WASHINGTON HOSPITAL CENTER: After the first month they are back at the doctors because they cannot afford to pay for something that they normally would be paying on a prescription plan five or $10.
COHEN: The FDA is still reviewing a proposal to approve other non-drowsy allergy medications, Allegra and Zyrtec for over the counter sales. If those drugs become nonprescription it may help push down the price of Claritin. Until then allergy sufferers are caught in the middle.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COHEN: Some insurance companies are requiring patients to try over the counter drugs before first before they'll pay for the prescription drugs. There are two types of OTC drugs available to treat allergy symptoms, antihistamines and decongestants. This is the first allergy season the prescription strength 24-hour non-drowsy medication is available over the counter. Claritin and Alavert are the only non-drowsy antihistamines sold without a prescription. Zyrtec, Allegra and Clarinex are still sold by prescription only.
If you have questions about allergy drug alternatives call us at 1-800-807-2620 or send us your questions via e-mail to housecall@CNN.com. To help us answer your questions Dr. Kathleen Sheerin joins us, she's an allergist.
Thanks for joining us. We have questions about the issue, Dr Sheerin and I want to get started right away with an e-mail we have from Laurie in New York.
She asks, "Is there a difference between Claritin and Allegra? I ask this because many health care providers, including mine, are considering Allegra to be non-essential because Claritin is on the market and they claim they are the 'same.'"
DR. KATHLEEN SHEERIN, ALLERGIST: Yes, there are differences between Claritin and Allegra. They are not the same drug, although they're used for the same indications, specifically for the runny, itchy, sneezy symptoms that allergy sufferers have. But, they are actually different chemicals, and at least from a patient-to-patient basis you'll see that Claritin may work for one person and not work for another person and that's why it's nice to have choice. Choice has become difficult now that Claritin is over the counter, because many insurance companies are saying you must try the over the counter medicine before you can even qualify to have a prescription medication.
COHEN: I imagine that is causing problems for you and your colleagues.
SHEERIN: Yes. It's a problem for the patient and it's a hassle for the doctor's office. For example, as an allergist I'm seeing many patients who don't -- who have tried the Claritin because they're seeing a specialist. What we have to do to get them prescription medication is fill out a form, it takes my nurse's time, it then gets faxed to the insurance company. Someone at the insurance company reviews it and then the patient is notified whether the insurance company grants them the privilege of getting the medicine that the doctor prescribed. So, it's very frustrating.
COHEN: More bureaucracy, that's all we need.
SHEERIN: Bureaucracy, right.
COHEN: There you go. We have a call from Bianca in New Hampshire.
Bianca, go ahead.
BIANCA, CALLER, NEW HAMPSHIRE: Yes. I have allergies and I have been using Claritin, but it's gotten prohibited (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and so I would like to know an alternative. And also, I will like to ask, I was given Allcon for my eyes.
SHEERIN: Yes.
BIANCA: And I found out that a point five is $79.95. I cannot get it.
SHEERIN: OK, couple of questions that she asked. What are the alternatives for people who don't have access to a prescription medication? One is to follow the procedure that I just told you about, is to talk your doctor and tell them that you've tried the Claritin and that it doesn't work. Most insurance companies do provide for the doctor to fill out a form to get you an alternative after you've tried the Claritin.
I don't like the idea of my patients taking the drowsy medicine over the counter. The FAA and the military do not allow their pilots to fly when they're taking Benadryl. Therefore, I don't think that we should allow people to drive down our major highways in 18 wheelers or in family cars taking medicine that they won't allow a pilot to fly, because both are dangerous weapons.
The other alternative is the nasal steroid spray. We know that that's a very effective medication to use. In fact, studies have shown that it's more effective than the antihistamine for nasal symptoms. So, you might want to talk to your doctor about Flonase Rhinocort, Nasacort, there are several different varieties that can be very effective. I did bring one today for you to see and it's very easy to use. You simply take the cover off and what you want to do is point it in your nose laterally and you want to aim towards your ear. A lot of people will do it this way. And, you simply just squirt, and then you squirt it on the other side, and that's it. So, it's a very safe alternative for you to try.
COHEN: And, what's interesting is that those are cheaper than some of the pills that people take and some studies show they work better.
SHEERIN: Correct. Most studies show that they work better and also, that they're all covered by insurance. So, it's time to actually do what the science shows us works better. Of course, some people need to take both antihistamine and nasal spray.
This lady mentions she had eye issues and a nose spray may not work for her as well, because of her eye issues. There are over-the- counter antihistamine drops, but they tend not to work as well as the prescription medicines. But, to my knowledge, the anti-histamine drops are all covered by insurance, so she may want to talk to her physician.
COHEN: All right, so there are lots of alternatives if you're suffering from sticker shock, as we talked about earlier.
We have an e-mail from Don in New Mexico. He right writes, "I take Claritin on a daily basis and it works great. My problem is that it raises my blood pressure. Can you suggest alternatives?"
Is this a common problem that it would raise your blood pressure?
SHEERIN: Well, generally, antihistamines don't raise your blood pressure, and the antihistamines alone should be very safe for people who have hypertension or high blood pressure. Claritin comes attached to a decongestant -- Claritin-D and in the 12-hour form and 24-hour form. I'd tell the listener to make sure he's not taking Claritin-D because that's the one that will be more likely to be causing a problem.
COHEN: All right. Well, we're going to take a quick break, now. When we return, how effective are alternative allergy drugs? And, tips for avoiding allergies all together. Call us with your questions at 1-800-807-2620 or e-mail us at housecall@CNN.com. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COHEN: We're talking about allergies and ways to treat them. Call us with your allergy questions at 1-800-807-2620 or e-mail us at housecall@CNN.com. While we're getting those phone calls lined up here's our health quiz:
Which color cat causes the most allergies? Will a white or black cat make you sneeze more? That answer in 30 seconds.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COHEN: Checking the "Daily Dose Health Quiz," we asked, "Which color cat causes the most allergies?" The answer: dark colored cats. Allergy specialists found patients who owned cats with dark hair were six times likely to have an allergy illness than those with light colored pets. Why dark cats have this effect is not clear. One theory is it may be connected to the thickness or composition of the hair. And, no, dyeing your cat won't help the problem, so please don't try that at home.
So, let's look at some allergy symptoms, now. Sneezing, stuffy nose, and coughing are symptoms, so are itchy eyes, nose, and throat. Look for dark circles under the eyes from sinus pressure, red itchy watery eyes are also a tip-off you might have allergies. Common treats treatments are antihistamines, decongestants, corticosteroids, eyedrops, nasal sprays and allergy shots. We have an e-mail now, from Laura in South Carolina.
She asks, "Can you tell the difference between seasonal allergies and colds? The symptoms seem the same. Can you use the same medications?"
We have with us Dr. Kathleen Sheerin an allergists, to help answer that question.
SHEERIN: Absolutely. You cannot tell the difference at the beginning of a cold whether it's a cold or an allergy. And what can help you is allergies don't cause fever, so if you have a high fever you more likely have a viral illness. Allergies happen at certain times of the year, so spring, if it goes on for three months from April, May and June, chances are you don't have a cold if it's that long, because colds usually last about ten days. So, if it lasts forever and you have a new black cat, then it's probably your cat, not a cold.
In regards to whether medications work, antihistamines really work great for allergies. Nothing works very effectively for colds. If you have a cold, actually the old sleepy antihistamines will work better than the newer antihistamines, and decongestants may help your stuffy nose. The treatment for a cold is time (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of time, you get better in about ten days.
COHEN: There you go. Those are some good ways to help tell the difference. We have a phone call now, from Butch in Pennsylvania.
Butch, go ahead with your question for Dr. Sheerin.
BUTCH, CALLER, ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA: Yes. I was just was wondering -- between men and women when they take them, do they have the same reaction when they take the same stuff?
SHEERIN: Is the question about medication or whether they're -- whether you're exposed to allergies? About medicines?
BUTCH: No. No, the question was when -- when men and women take the same stuff, do they react the same way?
SHEERIN: So, when they take an antihistamine, do they react the same way?
BUTCH: Yes.
SHEERIN: OK. Generally there isn't a sex difference whether you're a man or a woman, antihistamines should relieve itchy, sneezy, runny nose. There can be a difference with decongestants, in that men with prostate problems can have some difficulty with decongestants and women, of course, don't have that problem. Otherwise the results are similar.
COHEN: We have an e-mail now, from Mary in New York.
She asks, "Are there any over the counter allergy medicines that are meant to treat indoor allergies, like dust mites, mold, and pet dander?"
SHEERIN: That's a fabulous question. And the -- of course that -- those questions have been brought about by advertising, and the advertisement for the antihistamine that promotes that is great advertising, but it really doesn't make a difference what triggers your allergy attack. An antihistamine will treat the end result. So, whether you're a cat, dog, dust might person or a mold, pollen person, use the antihistamine that works most effectively for you and you can figure that out from your doctor.
COHEN: We have a phone call now, from Beverly in Ohio.
Beverly, go ahead.
BEVERLY, CALLER, OHIO: Hello. The question I had was -- is it safe to take alcohol with any of these non-drowsy antihistamines. I know Benadryl is one you wouldn't want to mix liquor with. But, Celldane and Hismanal, which are no longer available, didn't cross the blood-brain barrier, so alcohol had no effect on them. So, if I take Allegra or Claritin am I going to end up snoozing in my soup at a dinner table if I drink wine?
SHEERIN: Well, I think the answer to that is moderation. The -- they're called "non-drowsy," it really should be "less drowsy." Every antihistamine makes people potentially sleepy, but it's less than the Benadryl. You know, if you're -- you want to use moderation. certainly a glass of wine or a beer is not going to cause significant problems.
COHEN: Thank you, Dr. Sheerin.
Now, let's talk about prevention of allergies. We don't want to tell you how to clean your house, but here's some suggestions from cleaning if you suffer from allergies or want to prevent them. Dust surfaces and wash your bedding often, that can help you control the amount of dust mites in your home. Vacuum often. Although cleaning can sometimes trigger allergic reactions, vacuuming once or twice a week will cut down on the dust in the air. Wear a mask when you're doing house work, and consider leaving the house for few hours after you clean to avoid the allergens that have been stirred up in the air. Also, make sure you vacuum has an air filter to capture the dust.
If you're allergic to animals and still have a furry or feathered friend around it's best to keep them out of your bedroom. You'll get a better nice night sleep, at least. Keep your air-conditioning filter changed. And, to avoid mold spores reduce the moisture in the bathroom and kitchen. Mold likes to grow where it's moist and dehumidifiers can help reduce mold in your house.
We have to take a break, now. When we come back a look at what causes summer allergies. WEEKEND HOUSE CALL returns shortly. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(NEWSBREAK)
COHEN: Thanks, Thomas. We're talking about allergies, today. And, if you want to check the pollen count in your area, visit this Web site: www.pollen.com, doesn't get any simpler than that. You can type in your zip code and get the pollen count for your neighborhood.
We're talking about allergies today, on WEEKEND HOUSE CALL. Weed pollen, grass pollen, and mold spores are the worst in the summertime. We have an e-mail from Jane in Maryland.
She asks, "How do pollen counts work and are they reliable?"
SHEERIN: OK. Pollen counts are done on a machine, and what it does is measures the count for 24-hours. The actually is the previous 24 hours, so if the count in your area is released, as it is here in Atlanta, early in the morning at seven for rush hour traffic, it really reflects the previous day's pollen count. So, it is reliable for the general area in which you live in. And it gives you an idea of what's going on. It's done in levels so moderate, low, high, extremely high, or in Atlanta we have off the wall counts during the springtime. You should use it as a general guide for what's going on in your area.
COHEN: We have a phone call now from Rebecca in Georgia.
Rebecca, go ahead with your question for Dr. Sheerin.
REBECCA, CALLER, ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Yes. I've suffered from allergies for about 25 years and antihistamines stopped working for me, so my doctor prescribed Singulair. I was wondering if you could tell me a little bit about how that's different from antihistamines and what are the potential side effects?
SHEERIN: Singulair is the newest drug available now, for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. It was approved for hay fever this year. It's been around for a while as a treatment for asthma. It's a very safe drug, little complications. Occasionally people will complain of a headache. It's available down to the age of 1, available in little powder, as well as a chewable pill, so it's easy to use. The studies in allergic rhinitis are not conclusive. It says definitely that it works better than placebo, but compared to the nasal steroid sprays, it does not seem to be as expensive -- as effective, sorry. It definitely is expensive if you have to pay for it out of your pocket. However, it is still an alternative that's covered by insurance.
COHEN: Thanks Dr. Sheerin.
Roger from Tennessee has written us an e-mail and he says, "I've had allergy shots for four years, I don't want to take shots permanently. What are the alternatives?"
SHEERIN: Well, the way of managing a serious allergy problem is medication, avoidance techniques, which we'll talk a little bit about, and allergy shots. Right now, those are the three steps. People may have heard about the new medication that's coming out, it's an anti- IGE medication, it's a shot. But, it's only going to be available for severe asthmatics. So, really not an option. Sounds like you're doing all the ride right things.
COHEN: Great. We have a phone call now, from Andrea in Pennsylvania.
Andrea, go ahead with your question.
ANDREA, CALLER, READING, PENNSYLVANIA: Hi. I'm interested in knowing about antihistamines and their efficacy with pregnant women. My daughter's pregnant and she's in her first trimester and she has severe allergies and sinusitis and is suffering and not really sure what to do about it?
SHEERIN: That's a great question, because we see pregnant women who are really worried about taking medicine. I think the culture is coming more to the understanding that it's OK to take medicine in pregnancy if you need it. As far as antihistamines go, Zyrtec and Claritin are the drugs that we usually use. They've been around the longest, and they seem to be the safest for use in pregnancy. I think as we get more and more data down the line, most of them will be effective and safe in pregnancy. But right now, most allergists and obstetricians are using Zyrtec and Claritin as the non-sedating antihistamines in pregnancy.
COHEN: Now, you mentioned earlier some avoidance things that people can do. Can you talk about that?
SHEERIN: OK. The best treatment for allergy is not to be exposed to the things you're allergic to. And, the easiest example is if you're horribly allergic to cats it, makes logical sense not to have a cat in your house. But, there are a lot of cat lovers allergic to their cats, so short of not having the cat in the house, keeping the cat out of the bedroom, as we already mentioned. You want to try to minimize the exposure to things that you have in your household. You can't avoid the greater outdoors and become a hermit and live inside. But, you can keep windows closed, use your air conditioning, get a room filter for your bedroom. Pets we already talked about, same rule holds for dogs, as well as cats. And, reduce dust mites as we talked about earlier by covering mattress, pillows, box spring, as well as, washing the bedding and unfortunately for kids, getting rid of the 30 stuffed animals that they have in the bedroom or at least limiting it to a couple that you can put in the freezer once a month to get rid of the dust mites.
COHEN: Oh, never heard that, put it in the freezer.
SHEERIN: One day out of every three to four weeks, it will get -- decrease the dust mites and washing in hot water above 130 degrees will also help to get rid of the dust mites.
COHEN: All great tips to avoid allergies in the first place. When we come back we'll have some final thoughts on allergies, how to avoid them and how to treat them.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COHEN: Welcome back to WEEKEND HOUSE CALL where we've been talking about allergies with allergist, Dr. Kathleen Sheerin. Any final thoughts for us about allergies?
I think the final thought is, people don't have to suffer from allergies and that there are a lot of choices and alternatives out there and not just the ones they see advertised all the time. And it's important to talk with your doctor and get a plan that works that includes medicines and avoidance. So talk with your doctor.
COHEN: Great. Well, thank you Dr. Sheerin for joining us today. I learned a lot. I never knew you could put stuffed animals in the freezer. And, that's all we have time for today. Make sure to tune in next week and we'll be talking about infertility and in vitro fertilization. We'll look at the cost, success, and availability of in vitro for women, today.
Also, look for health stories on CNN this week about C-sections, fast food dangers, and dyslexia, there's a good mix. Those will all be big stories we'll follow here on CNN. This is the place to turn for the latest medical news. Thanks for joining us. I'm Elizabeth Cohen. "CNN SUNDAY MORNING" continues, now.
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Aired July 20, 2003 - 08:28 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. Today on WEEKEND HOUSE CALL, allergies high, priced medications, and alternatives. Ever since Claritin became available without a prescription consumers have been feeling the impact on their wallets. If you're having trouble affording your allergy pills what alternatives do you have? Today, we'll offer some options from those of you suffering sneezes, sniffles, and sticker shock.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Allergy season can be agony for 50 million Americans.
NIERON KRVINE, ALLERGY SUFFERER: I like to say, "Satan pays me a visit," and just gives me everything he's got about pollen. Itchy throat, the nasal problem, and the itchy eyes, the whole works.
COHEN: Many people turn to over the counter antihistamines for relief. Products like Benadryl have been on the market for years. At 15 cent percent pill, Benadryl clears up the runny nose and sneezing, but it can also cause drowsiness. Claritin, a non-drowsy allergy medication used to be available by prescription only. But, in December of last year, it made its debut on the shelf meaning you can buy it without a prescription. The only problem is it's expensive, costing about $1.20 a pill. A month's supply can run over $100. Consumers complained.
DR. CAROL JAGDEO, WASHINGTON HOSPITAL CENTER: After the first month they are back at the doctors because they cannot afford to pay for something that they normally would be paying on a prescription plan five or $10.
COHEN: The FDA is still reviewing a proposal to approve other non-drowsy allergy medications, Allegra and Zyrtec for over the counter sales. If those drugs become nonprescription it may help push down the price of Claritin. Until then allergy sufferers are caught in the middle.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COHEN: Some insurance companies are requiring patients to try over the counter drugs before first before they'll pay for the prescription drugs. There are two types of OTC drugs available to treat allergy symptoms, antihistamines and decongestants. This is the first allergy season the prescription strength 24-hour non-drowsy medication is available over the counter. Claritin and Alavert are the only non-drowsy antihistamines sold without a prescription. Zyrtec, Allegra and Clarinex are still sold by prescription only.
If you have questions about allergy drug alternatives call us at 1-800-807-2620 or send us your questions via e-mail to housecall@CNN.com. To help us answer your questions Dr. Kathleen Sheerin joins us, she's an allergist.
Thanks for joining us. We have questions about the issue, Dr Sheerin and I want to get started right away with an e-mail we have from Laurie in New York.
She asks, "Is there a difference between Claritin and Allegra? I ask this because many health care providers, including mine, are considering Allegra to be non-essential because Claritin is on the market and they claim they are the 'same.'"
DR. KATHLEEN SHEERIN, ALLERGIST: Yes, there are differences between Claritin and Allegra. They are not the same drug, although they're used for the same indications, specifically for the runny, itchy, sneezy symptoms that allergy sufferers have. But, they are actually different chemicals, and at least from a patient-to-patient basis you'll see that Claritin may work for one person and not work for another person and that's why it's nice to have choice. Choice has become difficult now that Claritin is over the counter, because many insurance companies are saying you must try the over the counter medicine before you can even qualify to have a prescription medication.
COHEN: I imagine that is causing problems for you and your colleagues.
SHEERIN: Yes. It's a problem for the patient and it's a hassle for the doctor's office. For example, as an allergist I'm seeing many patients who don't -- who have tried the Claritin because they're seeing a specialist. What we have to do to get them prescription medication is fill out a form, it takes my nurse's time, it then gets faxed to the insurance company. Someone at the insurance company reviews it and then the patient is notified whether the insurance company grants them the privilege of getting the medicine that the doctor prescribed. So, it's very frustrating.
COHEN: More bureaucracy, that's all we need.
SHEERIN: Bureaucracy, right.
COHEN: There you go. We have a call from Bianca in New Hampshire.
Bianca, go ahead.
BIANCA, CALLER, NEW HAMPSHIRE: Yes. I have allergies and I have been using Claritin, but it's gotten prohibited (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and so I would like to know an alternative. And also, I will like to ask, I was given Allcon for my eyes.
SHEERIN: Yes.
BIANCA: And I found out that a point five is $79.95. I cannot get it.
SHEERIN: OK, couple of questions that she asked. What are the alternatives for people who don't have access to a prescription medication? One is to follow the procedure that I just told you about, is to talk your doctor and tell them that you've tried the Claritin and that it doesn't work. Most insurance companies do provide for the doctor to fill out a form to get you an alternative after you've tried the Claritin.
I don't like the idea of my patients taking the drowsy medicine over the counter. The FAA and the military do not allow their pilots to fly when they're taking Benadryl. Therefore, I don't think that we should allow people to drive down our major highways in 18 wheelers or in family cars taking medicine that they won't allow a pilot to fly, because both are dangerous weapons.
The other alternative is the nasal steroid spray. We know that that's a very effective medication to use. In fact, studies have shown that it's more effective than the antihistamine for nasal symptoms. So, you might want to talk to your doctor about Flonase Rhinocort, Nasacort, there are several different varieties that can be very effective. I did bring one today for you to see and it's very easy to use. You simply take the cover off and what you want to do is point it in your nose laterally and you want to aim towards your ear. A lot of people will do it this way. And, you simply just squirt, and then you squirt it on the other side, and that's it. So, it's a very safe alternative for you to try.
COHEN: And, what's interesting is that those are cheaper than some of the pills that people take and some studies show they work better.
SHEERIN: Correct. Most studies show that they work better and also, that they're all covered by insurance. So, it's time to actually do what the science shows us works better. Of course, some people need to take both antihistamine and nasal spray.
This lady mentions she had eye issues and a nose spray may not work for her as well, because of her eye issues. There are over-the- counter antihistamine drops, but they tend not to work as well as the prescription medicines. But, to my knowledge, the anti-histamine drops are all covered by insurance, so she may want to talk to her physician.
COHEN: All right, so there are lots of alternatives if you're suffering from sticker shock, as we talked about earlier.
We have an e-mail from Don in New Mexico. He right writes, "I take Claritin on a daily basis and it works great. My problem is that it raises my blood pressure. Can you suggest alternatives?"
Is this a common problem that it would raise your blood pressure?
SHEERIN: Well, generally, antihistamines don't raise your blood pressure, and the antihistamines alone should be very safe for people who have hypertension or high blood pressure. Claritin comes attached to a decongestant -- Claritin-D and in the 12-hour form and 24-hour form. I'd tell the listener to make sure he's not taking Claritin-D because that's the one that will be more likely to be causing a problem.
COHEN: All right. Well, we're going to take a quick break, now. When we return, how effective are alternative allergy drugs? And, tips for avoiding allergies all together. Call us with your questions at 1-800-807-2620 or e-mail us at housecall@CNN.com. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COHEN: We're talking about allergies and ways to treat them. Call us with your allergy questions at 1-800-807-2620 or e-mail us at housecall@CNN.com. While we're getting those phone calls lined up here's our health quiz:
Which color cat causes the most allergies? Will a white or black cat make you sneeze more? That answer in 30 seconds.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COHEN: Checking the "Daily Dose Health Quiz," we asked, "Which color cat causes the most allergies?" The answer: dark colored cats. Allergy specialists found patients who owned cats with dark hair were six times likely to have an allergy illness than those with light colored pets. Why dark cats have this effect is not clear. One theory is it may be connected to the thickness or composition of the hair. And, no, dyeing your cat won't help the problem, so please don't try that at home.
So, let's look at some allergy symptoms, now. Sneezing, stuffy nose, and coughing are symptoms, so are itchy eyes, nose, and throat. Look for dark circles under the eyes from sinus pressure, red itchy watery eyes are also a tip-off you might have allergies. Common treats treatments are antihistamines, decongestants, corticosteroids, eyedrops, nasal sprays and allergy shots. We have an e-mail now, from Laura in South Carolina.
She asks, "Can you tell the difference between seasonal allergies and colds? The symptoms seem the same. Can you use the same medications?"
We have with us Dr. Kathleen Sheerin an allergists, to help answer that question.
SHEERIN: Absolutely. You cannot tell the difference at the beginning of a cold whether it's a cold or an allergy. And what can help you is allergies don't cause fever, so if you have a high fever you more likely have a viral illness. Allergies happen at certain times of the year, so spring, if it goes on for three months from April, May and June, chances are you don't have a cold if it's that long, because colds usually last about ten days. So, if it lasts forever and you have a new black cat, then it's probably your cat, not a cold.
In regards to whether medications work, antihistamines really work great for allergies. Nothing works very effectively for colds. If you have a cold, actually the old sleepy antihistamines will work better than the newer antihistamines, and decongestants may help your stuffy nose. The treatment for a cold is time (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of time, you get better in about ten days.
COHEN: There you go. Those are some good ways to help tell the difference. We have a phone call now, from Butch in Pennsylvania.
Butch, go ahead with your question for Dr. Sheerin.
BUTCH, CALLER, ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA: Yes. I was just was wondering -- between men and women when they take them, do they have the same reaction when they take the same stuff?
SHEERIN: Is the question about medication or whether they're -- whether you're exposed to allergies? About medicines?
BUTCH: No. No, the question was when -- when men and women take the same stuff, do they react the same way?
SHEERIN: So, when they take an antihistamine, do they react the same way?
BUTCH: Yes.
SHEERIN: OK. Generally there isn't a sex difference whether you're a man or a woman, antihistamines should relieve itchy, sneezy, runny nose. There can be a difference with decongestants, in that men with prostate problems can have some difficulty with decongestants and women, of course, don't have that problem. Otherwise the results are similar.
COHEN: We have an e-mail now, from Mary in New York.
She asks, "Are there any over the counter allergy medicines that are meant to treat indoor allergies, like dust mites, mold, and pet dander?"
SHEERIN: That's a fabulous question. And the -- of course that -- those questions have been brought about by advertising, and the advertisement for the antihistamine that promotes that is great advertising, but it really doesn't make a difference what triggers your allergy attack. An antihistamine will treat the end result. So, whether you're a cat, dog, dust might person or a mold, pollen person, use the antihistamine that works most effectively for you and you can figure that out from your doctor.
COHEN: We have a phone call now, from Beverly in Ohio.
Beverly, go ahead.
BEVERLY, CALLER, OHIO: Hello. The question I had was -- is it safe to take alcohol with any of these non-drowsy antihistamines. I know Benadryl is one you wouldn't want to mix liquor with. But, Celldane and Hismanal, which are no longer available, didn't cross the blood-brain barrier, so alcohol had no effect on them. So, if I take Allegra or Claritin am I going to end up snoozing in my soup at a dinner table if I drink wine?
SHEERIN: Well, I think the answer to that is moderation. The -- they're called "non-drowsy," it really should be "less drowsy." Every antihistamine makes people potentially sleepy, but it's less than the Benadryl. You know, if you're -- you want to use moderation. certainly a glass of wine or a beer is not going to cause significant problems.
COHEN: Thank you, Dr. Sheerin.
Now, let's talk about prevention of allergies. We don't want to tell you how to clean your house, but here's some suggestions from cleaning if you suffer from allergies or want to prevent them. Dust surfaces and wash your bedding often, that can help you control the amount of dust mites in your home. Vacuum often. Although cleaning can sometimes trigger allergic reactions, vacuuming once or twice a week will cut down on the dust in the air. Wear a mask when you're doing house work, and consider leaving the house for few hours after you clean to avoid the allergens that have been stirred up in the air. Also, make sure you vacuum has an air filter to capture the dust.
If you're allergic to animals and still have a furry or feathered friend around it's best to keep them out of your bedroom. You'll get a better nice night sleep, at least. Keep your air-conditioning filter changed. And, to avoid mold spores reduce the moisture in the bathroom and kitchen. Mold likes to grow where it's moist and dehumidifiers can help reduce mold in your house.
We have to take a break, now. When we come back a look at what causes summer allergies. WEEKEND HOUSE CALL returns shortly. Stay with us.
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COHEN: Thanks, Thomas. We're talking about allergies, today. And, if you want to check the pollen count in your area, visit this Web site: www.pollen.com, doesn't get any simpler than that. You can type in your zip code and get the pollen count for your neighborhood.
We're talking about allergies today, on WEEKEND HOUSE CALL. Weed pollen, grass pollen, and mold spores are the worst in the summertime. We have an e-mail from Jane in Maryland.
She asks, "How do pollen counts work and are they reliable?"
SHEERIN: OK. Pollen counts are done on a machine, and what it does is measures the count for 24-hours. The actually is the previous 24 hours, so if the count in your area is released, as it is here in Atlanta, early in the morning at seven for rush hour traffic, it really reflects the previous day's pollen count. So, it is reliable for the general area in which you live in. And it gives you an idea of what's going on. It's done in levels so moderate, low, high, extremely high, or in Atlanta we have off the wall counts during the springtime. You should use it as a general guide for what's going on in your area.
COHEN: We have a phone call now from Rebecca in Georgia.
Rebecca, go ahead with your question for Dr. Sheerin.
REBECCA, CALLER, ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Yes. I've suffered from allergies for about 25 years and antihistamines stopped working for me, so my doctor prescribed Singulair. I was wondering if you could tell me a little bit about how that's different from antihistamines and what are the potential side effects?
SHEERIN: Singulair is the newest drug available now, for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. It was approved for hay fever this year. It's been around for a while as a treatment for asthma. It's a very safe drug, little complications. Occasionally people will complain of a headache. It's available down to the age of 1, available in little powder, as well as a chewable pill, so it's easy to use. The studies in allergic rhinitis are not conclusive. It says definitely that it works better than placebo, but compared to the nasal steroid sprays, it does not seem to be as expensive -- as effective, sorry. It definitely is expensive if you have to pay for it out of your pocket. However, it is still an alternative that's covered by insurance.
COHEN: Thanks Dr. Sheerin.
Roger from Tennessee has written us an e-mail and he says, "I've had allergy shots for four years, I don't want to take shots permanently. What are the alternatives?"
SHEERIN: Well, the way of managing a serious allergy problem is medication, avoidance techniques, which we'll talk a little bit about, and allergy shots. Right now, those are the three steps. People may have heard about the new medication that's coming out, it's an anti- IGE medication, it's a shot. But, it's only going to be available for severe asthmatics. So, really not an option. Sounds like you're doing all the ride right things.
COHEN: Great. We have a phone call now, from Andrea in Pennsylvania.
Andrea, go ahead with your question.
ANDREA, CALLER, READING, PENNSYLVANIA: Hi. I'm interested in knowing about antihistamines and their efficacy with pregnant women. My daughter's pregnant and she's in her first trimester and she has severe allergies and sinusitis and is suffering and not really sure what to do about it?
SHEERIN: That's a great question, because we see pregnant women who are really worried about taking medicine. I think the culture is coming more to the understanding that it's OK to take medicine in pregnancy if you need it. As far as antihistamines go, Zyrtec and Claritin are the drugs that we usually use. They've been around the longest, and they seem to be the safest for use in pregnancy. I think as we get more and more data down the line, most of them will be effective and safe in pregnancy. But right now, most allergists and obstetricians are using Zyrtec and Claritin as the non-sedating antihistamines in pregnancy.
COHEN: Now, you mentioned earlier some avoidance things that people can do. Can you talk about that?
SHEERIN: OK. The best treatment for allergy is not to be exposed to the things you're allergic to. And, the easiest example is if you're horribly allergic to cats it, makes logical sense not to have a cat in your house. But, there are a lot of cat lovers allergic to their cats, so short of not having the cat in the house, keeping the cat out of the bedroom, as we already mentioned. You want to try to minimize the exposure to things that you have in your household. You can't avoid the greater outdoors and become a hermit and live inside. But, you can keep windows closed, use your air conditioning, get a room filter for your bedroom. Pets we already talked about, same rule holds for dogs, as well as cats. And, reduce dust mites as we talked about earlier by covering mattress, pillows, box spring, as well as, washing the bedding and unfortunately for kids, getting rid of the 30 stuffed animals that they have in the bedroom or at least limiting it to a couple that you can put in the freezer once a month to get rid of the dust mites.
COHEN: Oh, never heard that, put it in the freezer.
SHEERIN: One day out of every three to four weeks, it will get -- decrease the dust mites and washing in hot water above 130 degrees will also help to get rid of the dust mites.
COHEN: All great tips to avoid allergies in the first place. When we come back we'll have some final thoughts on allergies, how to avoid them and how to treat them.
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COHEN: Welcome back to WEEKEND HOUSE CALL where we've been talking about allergies with allergist, Dr. Kathleen Sheerin. Any final thoughts for us about allergies?
I think the final thought is, people don't have to suffer from allergies and that there are a lot of choices and alternatives out there and not just the ones they see advertised all the time. And it's important to talk with your doctor and get a plan that works that includes medicines and avoidance. So talk with your doctor.
COHEN: Great. Well, thank you Dr. Sheerin for joining us today. I learned a lot. I never knew you could put stuffed animals in the freezer. And, that's all we have time for today. Make sure to tune in next week and we'll be talking about infertility and in vitro fertilization. We'll look at the cost, success, and availability of in vitro for women, today.
Also, look for health stories on CNN this week about C-sections, fast food dangers, and dyslexia, there's a good mix. Those will all be big stories we'll follow here on CNN. This is the place to turn for the latest medical news. Thanks for joining us. I'm Elizabeth Cohen. "CNN SUNDAY MORNING" continues, now.
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