WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Health Alert: Non-allergies

Health Alert: Non-allergies

(National-NBC) August 4, 2006 - This past spring was difficult for allergy sufferers, but if you're still suffering, you may not have an allergy at all.

There was a time not too long ago that Jenny Kirby thought her two beloved cats, Gus and Pebbles, might have to go.

Jenny was suffering from constant sinus infections that she thought were brought on by allergies.

"I tried all kinds of decongestants and antibiotics," Jenny says. "It would get better, but as soon as I was off the medicine it would come right back."

But as it turns out, allergy wasn't the problem.

"40-50% of the people who come into your office think they have allergies, but they don't?" asks WIS.

"About a third are just plain non-allergic," says Dr. Jonathan Matz.

Dr. Matz says many people suffer from perennial non-allergic rhinitis, or PNAR, an inflammation of the nasal passages that worsens dramatically when exposed to certain irritants like changes in the weather, air conditioning inside the car, newsprint, the smell of fresh cut grass, cigarette smoke, cleaning products or even perfumes.

And the symptoms can include nasal congestion, coughing, and watery eyes, similar to many allergies.  

"People say allergy," says Dr. Matz, "but it's not actually triggering their immune system the way ragweed, dust, pollen or cat dander does. It's just irritating an already irritated nasal passage."

So what is a PNAR sufferer to do? Dr. Matz says the real key is avoidance.

"If cigarette smoke is an issue, you can't go in a smoky bar without expecting to have symptoms. If you're cleaning your house, use solvents that don't have a lot of odor. Don't wear the perfumes or try not to be exposed."

Luckily allergy medications like Flonase and Astalin have provided some relief, though they don't work as well for those with PNAR, which can be difficult to diagnose.  

"It's good news and bad news. The good news is you're not allergic to your cat, the bad news is we don't know what causing your problem," says Dr. Matz. 

For some, no medication seems to help. Luckily that wasn't the case for Jenny. She learned she had to use Flonase daily and Astalin once in a while, and the combination keeps things pretty much under control.

Posted 11:42 AM by Logan Smith