Allergies affect skin, eyes, lungs

Spring allergies to pollen from trees, grasses and weeds can be heard across the country as around 67 million adults and 14 million kids sneeze and sniffle their way through the next several months. But spring allergies can do more than cause congestion. They can also trigger an eye allergy called seasonal allergic conjunctivitis that causes dark circles under your eyes, puffy eyelids, and red, itchy eyes; skin allergies causing hives, swelling, eczema flares and contact dermatitis; and respiratory reactions and asthma flares that make it difficult to breathe.

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology says that if you are having these symptoms, it’s important to identify the allergy cause and to determine your best treatment options.

— Diagnosing your allergy: There are blood tests that look for IgE antibodies produced in reaction to allergens. Skin tests — aka scratch tests — see if you have a response to any allergen by introducing a tiny bit of it into your skin.

— Reducing your allergic reaction: If your tests reveal a spring allergy, you may receive allergy shots, designed to stop your allergic reaction, take oral medications (antihistamines and/ or asthma meds) and/or use eye drops. You can also reduce exposure outdoors by wearing a N95 mask and using HEPA air filters and air conditioners indoors. Also, ask your doc about taking bovine colostrum supplements. They’ve been shown to significantly reduce nasal allergy symptoms and improve lung function compared to placebo. For more information, check out the iHerb.com blog: “Colostrum Health Benefits: Immunity to Gut Health and Beyond.” Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook. com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb. com, the world’s leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively.