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Medical help or self-treatment?

April 9, 2002


Dear Allergy Nurse

My son is 24yrs. old. He has dark circles around his eyes, and he coughs quite a lot, especialy in the morning. He also itches his eyes. Do you think an allergist could help him? Is there anything he can do for himself? He has no health insurance. -- Lorraine, New York

Dark circles around the eyes along with sneezing, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes are symptoms we see often in those suffering with allergies. Thick sinus drainage in the throat (often called "post-nasal drip") frequently causes a cough as well.

Anyone with a persistent cough needs to be checked by a physician. A chronic cough may be related to allergy, but it can be a symptom of something more serious.

Allergies often lead to infection with thickened sinus drainage. Since we don't swallow as much while we are sleeping, the thick drainage can accumulate in the back of the throat at night. This can cause coughing upon arising.

Allergy to dust mites can also cause early morning symptoms if proper dust mite preventative measures are not taken. When you lay down with dust mites, you may get up with allergy symptoms if you are allergic to them.

Here are some self-help measures for morning allergy symptoms:

  1. See your physician first. Don't take chances with your health.
  2. Follow the dust mite prevention steps outlined on our website:
    Dust control - the bedroom first
    and
    Laundering a dust mite
  3. Talk with your physician about trying an over-the-counter antihistamine. The OTC antihistamines can cause drowsiness, and should not be taken with certain medications or health problems. But if your physician approves them for you, taking them at bedtime may help with allergy symptoms that develop during the night.


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Working to help you,

Your Allergy Nurse

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References:

  1. Understanding signs and symptoms of allergic diseases , Allergies and Asthma Spring Survival Guide, American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI)
  2. GLORIA -- Global Resources in Allergy, World Allergy Organization