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CNN Sunday Morning

Weekend House Call

Aired September 21, 2003 - 08:29   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 and welcome to WEEKEND HOUSE CALL. Have you found yourself sniffling lately? Sneezing, coughing, red, itchy eyes? Well, it is fall allergy season and for some people, autumn is actually worse than spring.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): Autumn's crisp air and bright colors are no welcomed sight for Judy Young.

JUDY YOUNG, FALL ALLERGY SUFFERER: Constant sneezing, being plugged up and yet, at the same time, having a very runny nose. I mean, I'm -- you don't go anywhere without a tissue in your hand.

COHEN: Record rainfall along the East Coast could make this a banner year for ragweed and mold, the primary triggers of fall allergies. Their pollen and spores are at their peak as autumn arrives.

YOUNG: Hi.

DR. DAVID TANNER, ALLERGIST: Hello. How are you?

COHEN: Dr. David Tanners an Atlanta allergist who knows all to well that fall is a dismal season for many of patients.

TANNER: One of the things that is not often emphasized is the fact that people feel bad with allergies. They have a lack of energy, they feel ill, they don't feel well. I liken it to having a low-grade cold, but it keeps going and going and going.

COHEN: So, what can you do if you think you may be suffering from allergies? If your complaints align with the classic symptom, which range from red watery eyes to a stuffy, runny nose, to headaches, relief may be as close as the local pharmacy. Drugs like Benadryl and Claritin, which was recently made available over-the- counter, are often effective. But, for people whose symptoms are persistent and pronounced a trip to the doctor could help.

YOUNG: There's no point in suffering without getting help and I don't think you can go forever on over-the-counter medications.

COHEN: The most reliable source of relief? Jack Frost. The season's first frost spells the end for ragweed and mold and a welcome respite for allergy suffers, until the spring. (END VIDEOTAPE)

COHEN: The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has come up the nation's top fall allergy capitals, check out the top ten. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, tops the list; then Raleigh, North Carolina; Louisville, Kentucky; Austin, Texas; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Memphis, Tennessee; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Dallas, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri and St. Louis. The states with the worst pollen record are along the East Coast, Midwest, and Central U.S. We'll talk more about how to treat fall allergies specifically and about the different drugs and shots that are available and we'll answer your questions. Call us at 800-807-2620 or e-mail your question to housecall@CNN.com.

Dr. Kathleen Sheerin joins me, this morning, here in Atlanta. She's an allergist and regular guest, here, on WEEKEND HOUSE CALL. Good morning. Thanks for being with us, today.

DR. KATHLEEN SHEERIN, ALLERGIST: Good morning. Thank you.

COHEN: Good morning.

Well we have a lot of allergy sufferers calling and writing in, this morning. Let's get to our first question from Carolyn in Chicago. She wants to know, "How can you tell if you're coming down with a cold or developing allergies?"

I know you probably hear this all the time.

SHEERIN: Oh, it's the most common question we get asked, and my answer to her would be that it's really teacher of time that lets you know. A cold generally lasts seven to ten days and will go away after that period of time. Also, with colds, you may have a low-grade fever, generally with allergies you don't and unfortunately, colds don't respond very well to allergy medications. So, sometimes you judge whether it's a cold or an allergy on how well allergy medicines work.

COHEN: We have a phone call now, from Phil in Missouri.

So, go ahead with your question for Dr. Sheerin.

PHIL, JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI: Yes. I was diagnosed with panic disorder in 1978, and I am on Zanax and that controls it through the year, but in the fall of every year it's like I'm thrown back. I don't know if it's the allergies or the changing of the season, and I'm unable to take antihistamines. Could you give me any kind of clues? I live between right between Kansas City and St. Louis, so I'm right in there where the...

SHEERIN: You're in the belt.

PHIL: Yes.

SHEERIN: Well, there generally isn't a connection between allergy and panic disorder, so I think it's important that you take car of panic disorder, but if you can't take antihistamines there are a whole slew of nasal sprays, inhaled corticosteroids that can be used and we're actually going to talk about that a little bit later this morning, so stay tuned.

COHEN: We've got an e-mail question now, from Ohio about asthma and fatigue. This viewer asks, "Is significant fatigue associated with allergies and can one develop asthma midlife due to natural causes?

Let's take that first one first. Is fatigue a problem for allergy suffers?

SHEERIN: Yes, fatigue is a problem, as Dr. Tanner mentioned during your opening piece, many allergy patient will come in and complain that -- you know, I'm so tired all the time. And, we don't understand exactly why that is, but for those who don't suffer from allergies you know how you feel when you have a cold and your nose is stopped up and not sleeping well at night and that probably is playing a big role in the fatigue aspect.

COHEN: And, the second part of the question was, can an adult just develop asthma not because of smoking but just because, in midlife?

SHEERIN: You can actually develop asthma at any time in your life. If it's allergic asthma, due to seasonal changes or pets, usually you develop it less than age 40. But, you can develop asthma at 60, at 80, at 90, so really any time. So, if you're having symptoms, be sure you talk with your doctor.

COHEN: So, unfortunately it's never too late.

SHEERIN: It's never too late, yes.

COHEN: We have a call now, from Mark.

Mark, go ahead with your question.

MARK, WICHITA, KANSAS: Yes, my wife uses the over counter -- the over-the-counter Claritin, right now. Is there a more effective prescription alternative?

SHEERIN: Well, there are many non-sedating antihistamines that are available. Claritin, right now, is the only one that's available over-the-counter and what we find is in treating patient is that some work better for some people than others. So, it really is an individual thing. If you've tried the Claritin or Loratadine is the other name for the generic preparation, and it's not working well for you I would talk with your doctor about the prescription alternatives and people may recognize the names from the commercials, Allegra, Zyrtec are the other major two, as well as Clarinex, those are the alternatives, as well as nasal sprays which we'll talk about later.

COHEN: And, Dr. Sheerin, let's talk about Zolair, now. That's a relatively new drug.

SHEERIN: Right. Zolair is a medication that is -- has been released for the treatment of moderate to severe asthma. So, it's not a medicine that is for treatment of seasonal allergies and I think that's an important message that people know. It is a very expensive medication, at this time, upwards of $10,000 a year. We're really just starting to use it, and we don't have a feel for how insurance companies are going to embrace it or not embrace it. What the criteria are going to eventually shake out to be for patients who really can take it.

COHEN: So, not for people who have problems with ragweed two months months out of the year?

SHEERIN: No. No,

COHEN: It's not for them.

SHEERIN: Absolutely not. Don't ask your doctor about Zolair.

COHEN: OK. All right, we've got to take a quick break, now. When HOUSE CALL continues, are nasal sprays addictive? How much relief can they provide to allergy sufferers? Well we'll ask the Dr. Sheerin and we'll answer more questions. Call us at 1-800-807-2620 or e-mail us at housecall@CNN.com. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COHEN: Allergies can be debilitating. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms include the warning signs of asthma, such as, struggling to catch your breath, wheezing and coughing, or frequent shortness of breath, or tightness in your chest. Seek help if your allergies are causing secondary symptoms, such as, a sinus infection or difficulty breathing. You should also see your doctor if your allergies are severely interfering with your ability to carry out day-to-day activities or if taking medications does not control our allergy symptoms.

You're watching WEEKEND HOUSE CALL. Call us with your allergy questions at 1-800-807-2620 or e-mail your question to housecall@CNN.com.

While we're getting your questions lined up, let's check our "Daily Dose Health Quiz." One healthy ragweed plant, that's the stuff that's out in the fall, can produce a billion spores of pollen, but how far can a ragweed spore travel? We'll have that answer in 30 seconds. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COHEN: Checking the "Daily Dose Health Quiz," we asked: How far can a ragweed pollen spore travel from its source?

The answer: Very far, 400 miles. Record levels of rainfall have helped ragweed plants multiply like crazy this year. But, the hot, dry, and breezy weather of fall that spreads 00 that's what spreads the pollen around. In the next few weeks, pollen levels are expected to be quite severe, almost no place in the U.S. is ragweed-free. But, some areas do have more than others. It's most prevalent in the Midwest and Central U.S. You'll find less ragweed along the West Coast.

Your watching WEEKEND HOUSE CALL and we're talking about fall allergies. There are several common treatments. One is antihistamines, they can be prescription or nonprescription and can help stop sneezing, running nose, itchy, watering eyes. Decongestants are available over-the-counter in the form of nose drops, sprays, tablets, and liquid, they help clear a stuffy nose and improve breathing. Anti-inflammatory medications, like corticosteroids, are available by prescription. You can also get allergy shots if you have severe problems.

We have with us here, allergist Kathleen Sheerin, here in Atlanta. We've got several questions on nasal sprays.

Laci for Ohio wants to know, "Would a nasal stay, such as Nasonex or Rhinocort, work alone on allergies or is it necessary to take an allergy pill in addition, such as Claritin or Clarinex? I have never tried the spray alone and I've been wondering if it would be effective if you mainly have runny nose, itchy, watery eye and those kinds of allergies??

So, nasal sprays along, can they do the trick?

SHEERIN: Yes, absolutely. And many people will find they just need to take the nasal spray. The corticosteroid nasal spray, that is, and she listed several of the ones that are available. In fact, when we look at studies that have been done, the nasal spray is your most potent weapon against the allergy symptoms, not only runny, itchy, sneezy, but it also helps for congestion, as well, and the antihistamines don't anything for congestion.

COHEN: And, you -- sometimes you don't hear that because you don't see a lot of TV ads for sprays you see more for the other type of things.

SHEERIN: Correct.

COHEN: But, the sprays can be sometimes the best medicine?

SHEERIN: Yes. There is the reluctance among a lot of people to put a nose spray in their nose, but usually if we can convince people to do it, they are very happy with results.

COHEN: Well let's -- you brought...

SHEERIN: Yes.

COHEN: ...a collection of nasal sprays . I think you probably have almost every kind that's available, some are prescription and some are over-the-counter.

SHEERIN: OK. Well, let's talk first, about the over-the-counter medications, and there basically are two kinds. One is the -- got this out of my drawer, this morning, nasal saline and most people are familiar with that because they use in babies when they have stuffy nose to rinse a cold out of the nose, and it can be very effective for dry nose during a cold.

The nose spray that I really want to talk about is the nasal decongestant spray, and this medicine is the one that can get you hooked. The medical term for it is rhinitis medicamentosa, so it really has a name has to it. And, if you use this too long, you -- your body actually get addicted to it and the more you use it the more you get relief, but then the congestion comes back, you use it more. Some people use it four or five times a day -- year in, year out. And, we actually get people off of this medicine -- unhooked by using nasal steroid sprays. So, we'll move on to that.

This is a whole variety of nasal steroid sprays. There are at least five prescription varieties; now, these are medicines that people would need to get a prescription from their doctor -- very safe, very effective, easy to use. I like to tell people that when they use it, people tend to use it in this direction, well, that's where the septum is, your bone. You always want to aim laterally out through the nose.

COHEN: Now, people hear steroids and freak out, they think -- I'm not going to take steroids, but it's not that kind of steroids.

SHEERIN: It's not steroids that'll build muscles and we've actually been using them for close to 20 years -- very low side effects. The people -- parents are afraid of the word "steroid" and growth and we know from using steroids in asthma, that used in usual doses, they don't affect a child's growth significantly and kids end up with the height that god intended them to end up.

COHEN: We have a call now, from Bernard in Georgia.

Bernard, go ahead with your question for Dr. Sheerin.

BERNARD, ATLANTA, GEORGIA: My wife's eight month pregnant and I was wondering if there's any over-the-counter that she can advise to use. She has a serious allergy, now.

SHEERIN: Lots of concerns about use of medication in pregnancy, but the good news is that there are safe medicines to use. Certainly nasal saline is safe to use, over-the-counter usually Chlortrimeton, which is available very cheap, and we have for years been using Claritin, so I think that that's good news. If that's not helping her, she should talk with her doctor because the nasal steroids are also safe to use in pregnancy. So, lots of options for her.

COHEN: We have a question about another drug, now. Joanne from New York wants to know about Singulair. She writes, "I have seasonal allergies and I would like to know if this medicine will help. Also, I was under the impression that it was an asthma medication."

So, which is it?

SHEERIN: Well, Singulair is the newest medicine on the block for treatment of allergic rhinitis, but she is correct that it was originally used to treat asthma. And allergic rhinitis, by the way, is the medical term for hay fever. So, yes, it's a medicine that can help. My clinical experience is that it doesn't work for everyone, so if you try it for a couple of weeks under your doctor's supervision, because it is a prescription medicine -- if it's not working get back with your doctor and try something else.

COHEN: And, when we come back, we'll have more help -- more tips to help you prevent allergy attacks at home. Plus, a closer look at allergy shots. Are you sentenced to a lifetime of shots if you have severe allergies? We'll have that answer when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(NEWSBREAK)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COHEN: Welcome back to WEEKEND HOUSE CALL. We're talking about fall allergies, today. Here are some tips for keeping sneezing to a minimum around your home. Dust surfaces and wash your bedding often, that can help 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 actually count down on the amount of dust in the air. Wear a mask when you're doing housework and consider leaving the house for a few hours after you clean to avoid the allergens that have been stirred up in the air. Also, make sure your vacuum has an air filter to capture the dust.

If you're allergic to animals, but still have a furry or feathered friend around, it's best to keep them out of your bedroom. You'll get a better night's sleep, at least. Keep your air- conditioning filter changed, and to avoid mold spores, reduce the moisture in bathroom and kitchen. Mold likes to grow where it's moist and dehumidifiers could help reduce mold in your house.

Dr. Kathleen Sheerin joins us, here in Atlanta.

Doctor, we have a question from Julie in California. She wants to know, "I have a 13-year-old son who suffers from allergies. Every morning he wakes up, has a stuffy nose and sneezes a lot. His eyes are watery and red. At first I thought that he was allergic to dust, then to milk. He never had tests performed. How can I prevent him from suffering?"

It would seem testing might be the first step.

SHEERIN: Yes, and I think that that's an important step, because if you know what you're allergic to, then you can take steps to avoid it. And, sometimes reducing the dust mites in the bed by covering or if you have a furry friend at home, getting him out of the bedroom can make a big difference. And then, of course, there are a whole slew of medicines we have talked about this morning that can help him, and he doesn't need to suffer, not in the year 2003.

COHEN: Right, lots of things that can be done.

SHEERIN: Lots of things. COHEN: OK. We have another e-mail, here. Janet from New Jersey wants to know more about allergy shots. She writes, "I developed allergies last year. I'm taking shots and at times, Zyrtex (sic). I take Zyrtex (sic) when needed, but I heard it can cause you to put on weight. If I continue with the shots, will the allergies go away? I must say that I do feel better, but wonder if seeing a doctor is a lifetime commitment."

Let's sort of -- there are several questions in there. One: Does it make you put on weight? Zyrtec?

SHEERIN: Zyrtec -- you can never say never in medicine, but that is not a common side effect. In fact, I don't think in the years I've been prescribing it that it has caused that problem or I've heard that from anybody. There are lots of other things that can make you put on weight.

The second question about allergy shots is, allergy shots are a very excellent way of improving quality of life, and that's what they do for most people who take them. It's not -- I hate to use the word "sentence" it's not a lifetime sentence. Usually we treat with allergy shots, three to five years. And, by using them for three to five years we're actually able to change the immune system, such that you react differently when you're posed with something you're allergic to. Now, some people end up going back on allergy shots later on, but the vast majority of people see improvement in quality of life and they're able to stop after three to five years.

COHEN: But, not a lifetime commitment?

SHEERIN: Yes.

COHEN: Hopefully.

SHEERIN: But, the -- sometimes symptoms come back. You may see your allergist from time to time, which we like to see our patients, but it doesn't necessarily mean you're on allergy shots forever.

COHEN: OK. We have a phone call now, from Toni in Georgia.

Toni, go ahead with your question.

TONI, TIFTON, GEORGIA: Yes, I would like to know if there is a medicine, you can purchase over-the-counter that will not have a tendency to run your blood pressure up, for allergies.

SHEERIN: OK. The medicines that tend to make your blood pressure go up are decongestants. So, Sudafed is a typical example of a medicine that will run your blood pressure up. Antihistamines generally do not affect blood pressure, so Claritin, the Loratadine, Benadryl, Chlortrimetron -- those medicines should be fine with your blood pressure. Of course the last two I mentioned may make you sleepy, so I like to use the non-sedating ones in my patients, but those are your options.

COHEN: We're going to take a quick break, now Grab a pen. I'll give you some Web site addresses for good allergy information when we come back. This is WEEKEND HOUSE CALL.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COHEN: If you'd like to see the allergy report for your area, go to CNN.com/allergy. You can click on your state for more information. And, to find out where your city ranks in the allergy capitals of the United States, go to www.allergyactionplan.com. And. Dr. Sheerin recommends another site: aaai.com, that's the America Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and...

SHEERIN: Four "A's."

COHEN: ... four "A's," I'm sorry.

SHEERIN: OK.

COHEN: Four "A's" and an "I" dot com.

SHEERIN: Right. Right.

COHEN: Dr. Sheerin, any final thoughts for allergy sufferers?

SHEERIN: Yes. My final thought is there's really no need to suffer. If over-the-counter doesn't work talk to your doctor.

COHEN: OK. Well, thank you. That's good advice from all of us. Make sure to watch next Saturday when we talk about chronic pain. One in five Americans suffers from chronic pain because they don't have access to appropriate care or feel stigmatized about getting treatment.

Watch CNN for all of your medical news. This week we'll cover stories on men and depression, they seem to be hit harder by the disorder than women. And, we'll have an update on this year's flu season -- it's right around the corner.

Thanks for watching WEEKEND HOUSE CALL, I'm Elizabeth Cohen, "CNN Sunday morning" continues now.

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Aired September 21, 2003 - 08:29   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 and welcome to WEEKEND HOUSE CALL. Have you found yourself sniffling lately? Sneezing, coughing, red, itchy eyes? Well, it is fall allergy season and for some people, autumn is actually worse than spring.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): Autumn's crisp air and bright colors are no welcomed sight for Judy Young.

JUDY YOUNG, FALL ALLERGY SUFFERER: Constant sneezing, being plugged up and yet, at the same time, having a very runny nose. I mean, I'm -- you don't go anywhere without a tissue in your hand.

COHEN: Record rainfall along the East Coast could make this a banner year for ragweed and mold, the primary triggers of fall allergies. Their pollen and spores are at their peak as autumn arrives.

YOUNG: Hi.

DR. DAVID TANNER, ALLERGIST: Hello. How are you?

COHEN: Dr. David Tanners an Atlanta allergist who knows all to well that fall is a dismal season for many of patients.

TANNER: One of the things that is not often emphasized is the fact that people feel bad with allergies. They have a lack of energy, they feel ill, they don't feel well. I liken it to having a low-grade cold, but it keeps going and going and going.

COHEN: So, what can you do if you think you may be suffering from allergies? If your complaints align with the classic symptom, which range from red watery eyes to a stuffy, runny nose, to headaches, relief may be as close as the local pharmacy. Drugs like Benadryl and Claritin, which was recently made available over-the- counter, are often effective. But, for people whose symptoms are persistent and pronounced a trip to the doctor could help.

YOUNG: There's no point in suffering without getting help and I don't think you can go forever on over-the-counter medications.

COHEN: The most reliable source of relief? Jack Frost. The season's first frost spells the end for ragweed and mold and a welcome respite for allergy suffers, until the spring. (END VIDEOTAPE)

COHEN: The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has come up the nation's top fall allergy capitals, check out the top ten. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, tops the list; then Raleigh, North Carolina; Louisville, Kentucky; Austin, Texas; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Memphis, Tennessee; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Dallas, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri and St. Louis. The states with the worst pollen record are along the East Coast, Midwest, and Central U.S. We'll talk more about how to treat fall allergies specifically and about the different drugs and shots that are available and we'll answer your questions. Call us at 800-807-2620 or e-mail your question to housecall@CNN.com.

Dr. Kathleen Sheerin joins me, this morning, here in Atlanta. She's an allergist and regular guest, here, on WEEKEND HOUSE CALL. Good morning. Thanks for being with us, today.

DR. KATHLEEN SHEERIN, ALLERGIST: Good morning. Thank you.

COHEN: Good morning.

Well we have a lot of allergy sufferers calling and writing in, this morning. Let's get to our first question from Carolyn in Chicago. She wants to know, "How can you tell if you're coming down with a cold or developing allergies?"

I know you probably hear this all the time.

SHEERIN: Oh, it's the most common question we get asked, and my answer to her would be that it's really teacher of time that lets you know. A cold generally lasts seven to ten days and will go away after that period of time. Also, with colds, you may have a low-grade fever, generally with allergies you don't and unfortunately, colds don't respond very well to allergy medications. So, sometimes you judge whether it's a cold or an allergy on how well allergy medicines work.

COHEN: We have a phone call now, from Phil in Missouri.

So, go ahead with your question for Dr. Sheerin.

PHIL, JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI: Yes. I was diagnosed with panic disorder in 1978, and I am on Zanax and that controls it through the year, but in the fall of every year it's like I'm thrown back. I don't know if it's the allergies or the changing of the season, and I'm unable to take antihistamines. Could you give me any kind of clues? I live between right between Kansas City and St. Louis, so I'm right in there where the...

SHEERIN: You're in the belt.

PHIL: Yes.

SHEERIN: Well, there generally isn't a connection between allergy and panic disorder, so I think it's important that you take car of panic disorder, but if you can't take antihistamines there are a whole slew of nasal sprays, inhaled corticosteroids that can be used and we're actually going to talk about that a little bit later this morning, so stay tuned.

COHEN: We've got an e-mail question now, from Ohio about asthma and fatigue. This viewer asks, "Is significant fatigue associated with allergies and can one develop asthma midlife due to natural causes?

Let's take that first one first. Is fatigue a problem for allergy suffers?

SHEERIN: Yes, fatigue is a problem, as Dr. Tanner mentioned during your opening piece, many allergy patient will come in and complain that -- you know, I'm so tired all the time. And, we don't understand exactly why that is, but for those who don't suffer from allergies you know how you feel when you have a cold and your nose is stopped up and not sleeping well at night and that probably is playing a big role in the fatigue aspect.

COHEN: And, the second part of the question was, can an adult just develop asthma not because of smoking but just because, in midlife?

SHEERIN: You can actually develop asthma at any time in your life. If it's allergic asthma, due to seasonal changes or pets, usually you develop it less than age 40. But, you can develop asthma at 60, at 80, at 90, so really any time. So, if you're having symptoms, be sure you talk with your doctor.

COHEN: So, unfortunately it's never too late.

SHEERIN: It's never too late, yes.

COHEN: We have a call now, from Mark.

Mark, go ahead with your question.

MARK, WICHITA, KANSAS: Yes, my wife uses the over counter -- the over-the-counter Claritin, right now. Is there a more effective prescription alternative?

SHEERIN: Well, there are many non-sedating antihistamines that are available. Claritin, right now, is the only one that's available over-the-counter and what we find is in treating patient is that some work better for some people than others. So, it really is an individual thing. If you've tried the Claritin or Loratadine is the other name for the generic preparation, and it's not working well for you I would talk with your doctor about the prescription alternatives and people may recognize the names from the commercials, Allegra, Zyrtec are the other major two, as well as Clarinex, those are the alternatives, as well as nasal sprays which we'll talk about later.

COHEN: And, Dr. Sheerin, let's talk about Zolair, now. That's a relatively new drug.

SHEERIN: Right. Zolair is a medication that is -- has been released for the treatment of moderate to severe asthma. So, it's not a medicine that is for treatment of seasonal allergies and I think that's an important message that people know. It is a very expensive medication, at this time, upwards of $10,000 a year. We're really just starting to use it, and we don't have a feel for how insurance companies are going to embrace it or not embrace it. What the criteria are going to eventually shake out to be for patients who really can take it.

COHEN: So, not for people who have problems with ragweed two months months out of the year?

SHEERIN: No. No,

COHEN: It's not for them.

SHEERIN: Absolutely not. Don't ask your doctor about Zolair.

COHEN: OK. All right, we've got to take a quick break, now. When HOUSE CALL continues, are nasal sprays addictive? How much relief can they provide to allergy sufferers? Well we'll ask the Dr. Sheerin and we'll answer more questions. Call us at 1-800-807-2620 or e-mail us at housecall@CNN.com. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COHEN: Allergies can be debilitating. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms include the warning signs of asthma, such as, struggling to catch your breath, wheezing and coughing, or frequent shortness of breath, or tightness in your chest. Seek help if your allergies are causing secondary symptoms, such as, a sinus infection or difficulty breathing. You should also see your doctor if your allergies are severely interfering with your ability to carry out day-to-day activities or if taking medications does not control our allergy symptoms.

You're watching WEEKEND HOUSE CALL. Call us with your allergy questions at 1-800-807-2620 or e-mail your question to housecall@CNN.com.

While we're getting your questions lined up, let's check our "Daily Dose Health Quiz." One healthy ragweed plant, that's the stuff that's out in the fall, can produce a billion spores of pollen, but how far can a ragweed spore travel? We'll have that answer in 30 seconds. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COHEN: Checking the "Daily Dose Health Quiz," we asked: How far can a ragweed pollen spore travel from its source?

The answer: Very far, 400 miles. Record levels of rainfall have helped ragweed plants multiply like crazy this year. But, the hot, dry, and breezy weather of fall that spreads 00 that's what spreads the pollen around. In the next few weeks, pollen levels are expected to be quite severe, almost no place in the U.S. is ragweed-free. But, some areas do have more than others. It's most prevalent in the Midwest and Central U.S. You'll find less ragweed along the West Coast.

Your watching WEEKEND HOUSE CALL and we're talking about fall allergies. There are several common treatments. One is antihistamines, they can be prescription or nonprescription and can help stop sneezing, running nose, itchy, watering eyes. Decongestants are available over-the-counter in the form of nose drops, sprays, tablets, and liquid, they help clear a stuffy nose and improve breathing. Anti-inflammatory medications, like corticosteroids, are available by prescription. You can also get allergy shots if you have severe problems.

We have with us here, allergist Kathleen Sheerin, here in Atlanta. We've got several questions on nasal sprays.

Laci for Ohio wants to know, "Would a nasal stay, such as Nasonex or Rhinocort, work alone on allergies or is it necessary to take an allergy pill in addition, such as Claritin or Clarinex? I have never tried the spray alone and I've been wondering if it would be effective if you mainly have runny nose, itchy, watery eye and those kinds of allergies??

So, nasal sprays along, can they do the trick?

SHEERIN: Yes, absolutely. And many people will find they just need to take the nasal spray. The corticosteroid nasal spray, that is, and she listed several of the ones that are available. In fact, when we look at studies that have been done, the nasal spray is your most potent weapon against the allergy symptoms, not only runny, itchy, sneezy, but it also helps for congestion, as well, and the antihistamines don't anything for congestion.

COHEN: And, you -- sometimes you don't hear that because you don't see a lot of TV ads for sprays you see more for the other type of things.

SHEERIN: Correct.

COHEN: But, the sprays can be sometimes the best medicine?

SHEERIN: Yes. There is the reluctance among a lot of people to put a nose spray in their nose, but usually if we can convince people to do it, they are very happy with results.

COHEN: Well let's -- you brought...

SHEERIN: Yes.

COHEN: ...a collection of nasal sprays . I think you probably have almost every kind that's available, some are prescription and some are over-the-counter.

SHEERIN: OK. Well, let's talk first, about the over-the-counter medications, and there basically are two kinds. One is the -- got this out of my drawer, this morning, nasal saline and most people are familiar with that because they use in babies when they have stuffy nose to rinse a cold out of the nose, and it can be very effective for dry nose during a cold.

The nose spray that I really want to talk about is the nasal decongestant spray, and this medicine is the one that can get you hooked. The medical term for it is rhinitis medicamentosa, so it really has a name has to it. And, if you use this too long, you -- your body actually get addicted to it and the more you use it the more you get relief, but then the congestion comes back, you use it more. Some people use it four or five times a day -- year in, year out. And, we actually get people off of this medicine -- unhooked by using nasal steroid sprays. So, we'll move on to that.

This is a whole variety of nasal steroid sprays. There are at least five prescription varieties; now, these are medicines that people would need to get a prescription from their doctor -- very safe, very effective, easy to use. I like to tell people that when they use it, people tend to use it in this direction, well, that's where the septum is, your bone. You always want to aim laterally out through the nose.

COHEN: Now, people hear steroids and freak out, they think -- I'm not going to take steroids, but it's not that kind of steroids.

SHEERIN: It's not steroids that'll build muscles and we've actually been using them for close to 20 years -- very low side effects. The people -- parents are afraid of the word "steroid" and growth and we know from using steroids in asthma, that used in usual doses, they don't affect a child's growth significantly and kids end up with the height that god intended them to end up.

COHEN: We have a call now, from Bernard in Georgia.

Bernard, go ahead with your question for Dr. Sheerin.

BERNARD, ATLANTA, GEORGIA: My wife's eight month pregnant and I was wondering if there's any over-the-counter that she can advise to use. She has a serious allergy, now.

SHEERIN: Lots of concerns about use of medication in pregnancy, but the good news is that there are safe medicines to use. Certainly nasal saline is safe to use, over-the-counter usually Chlortrimeton, which is available very cheap, and we have for years been using Claritin, so I think that that's good news. If that's not helping her, she should talk with her doctor because the nasal steroids are also safe to use in pregnancy. So, lots of options for her.

COHEN: We have a question about another drug, now. Joanne from New York wants to know about Singulair. She writes, "I have seasonal allergies and I would like to know if this medicine will help. Also, I was under the impression that it was an asthma medication."

So, which is it?

SHEERIN: Well, Singulair is the newest medicine on the block for treatment of allergic rhinitis, but she is correct that it was originally used to treat asthma. And allergic rhinitis, by the way, is the medical term for hay fever. So, yes, it's a medicine that can help. My clinical experience is that it doesn't work for everyone, so if you try it for a couple of weeks under your doctor's supervision, because it is a prescription medicine -- if it's not working get back with your doctor and try something else.

COHEN: And, when we come back, we'll have more help -- more tips to help you prevent allergy attacks at home. Plus, a closer look at allergy shots. Are you sentenced to a lifetime of shots if you have severe allergies? We'll have that answer when we come back.

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COHEN: Welcome back to WEEKEND HOUSE CALL. We're talking about fall allergies, today. Here are some tips for keeping sneezing to a minimum around your home. Dust surfaces and wash your bedding often, that can help 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 actually count down on the amount of dust in the air. Wear a mask when you're doing housework and consider leaving the house for a few hours after you clean to avoid the allergens that have been stirred up in the air. Also, make sure your vacuum has an air filter to capture the dust.

If you're allergic to animals, but still have a furry or feathered friend around, it's best to keep them out of your bedroom. You'll get a better night's sleep, at least. Keep your air- conditioning filter changed, and to avoid mold spores, reduce the moisture in bathroom and kitchen. Mold likes to grow where it's moist and dehumidifiers could help reduce mold in your house.

Dr. Kathleen Sheerin joins us, here in Atlanta.

Doctor, we have a question from Julie in California. She wants to know, "I have a 13-year-old son who suffers from allergies. Every morning he wakes up, has a stuffy nose and sneezes a lot. His eyes are watery and red. At first I thought that he was allergic to dust, then to milk. He never had tests performed. How can I prevent him from suffering?"

It would seem testing might be the first step.

SHEERIN: Yes, and I think that that's an important step, because if you know what you're allergic to, then you can take steps to avoid it. And, sometimes reducing the dust mites in the bed by covering or if you have a furry friend at home, getting him out of the bedroom can make a big difference. And then, of course, there are a whole slew of medicines we have talked about this morning that can help him, and he doesn't need to suffer, not in the year 2003.

COHEN: Right, lots of things that can be done.

SHEERIN: Lots of things. COHEN: OK. We have another e-mail, here. Janet from New Jersey wants to know more about allergy shots. She writes, "I developed allergies last year. I'm taking shots and at times, Zyrtex (sic). I take Zyrtex (sic) when needed, but I heard it can cause you to put on weight. If I continue with the shots, will the allergies go away? I must say that I do feel better, but wonder if seeing a doctor is a lifetime commitment."

Let's sort of -- there are several questions in there. One: Does it make you put on weight? Zyrtec?

SHEERIN: Zyrtec -- you can never say never in medicine, but that is not a common side effect. In fact, I don't think in the years I've been prescribing it that it has caused that problem or I've heard that from anybody. There are lots of other things that can make you put on weight.

The second question about allergy shots is, allergy shots are a very excellent way of improving quality of life, and that's what they do for most people who take them. It's not -- I hate to use the word "sentence" it's not a lifetime sentence. Usually we treat with allergy shots, three to five years. And, by using them for three to five years we're actually able to change the immune system, such that you react differently when you're posed with something you're allergic to. Now, some people end up going back on allergy shots later on, but the vast majority of people see improvement in quality of life and they're able to stop after three to five years.

COHEN: But, not a lifetime commitment?

SHEERIN: Yes.

COHEN: Hopefully.

SHEERIN: But, the -- sometimes symptoms come back. You may see your allergist from time to time, which we like to see our patients, but it doesn't necessarily mean you're on allergy shots forever.

COHEN: OK. We have a phone call now, from Toni in Georgia.

Toni, go ahead with your question.

TONI, TIFTON, GEORGIA: Yes, I would like to know if there is a medicine, you can purchase over-the-counter that will not have a tendency to run your blood pressure up, for allergies.

SHEERIN: OK. The medicines that tend to make your blood pressure go up are decongestants. So, Sudafed is a typical example of a medicine that will run your blood pressure up. Antihistamines generally do not affect blood pressure, so Claritin, the Loratadine, Benadryl, Chlortrimetron -- those medicines should be fine with your blood pressure. Of course the last two I mentioned may make you sleepy, so I like to use the non-sedating ones in my patients, but those are your options.

COHEN: We're going to take a quick break, now Grab a pen. I'll give you some Web site addresses for good allergy information when we come back. This is WEEKEND HOUSE CALL.

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COHEN: If you'd like to see the allergy report for your area, go to CNN.com/allergy. You can click on your state for more information. And, to find out where your city ranks in the allergy capitals of the United States, go to www.allergyactionplan.com. And. Dr. Sheerin recommends another site: aaai.com, that's the America Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and...

SHEERIN: Four "A's."

COHEN: ... four "A's," I'm sorry.

SHEERIN: OK.

COHEN: Four "A's" and an "I" dot com.

SHEERIN: Right. Right.

COHEN: Dr. Sheerin, any final thoughts for allergy sufferers?

SHEERIN: Yes. My final thought is there's really no need to suffer. If over-the-counter doesn't work talk to your doctor.

COHEN: OK. Well, thank you. That's good advice from all of us. Make sure to watch next Saturday when we talk about chronic pain. One in five Americans suffers from chronic pain because they don't have access to appropriate care or feel stigmatized about getting treatment.

Watch CNN for all of your medical news. This week we'll cover stories on men and depression, they seem to be hit harder by the disorder than women. And, we'll have an update on this year's flu season -- it's right around the corner.

Thanks for watching WEEKEND HOUSE CALL, I'm Elizabeth Cohen, "CNN Sunday morning" continues now.

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