Demystifying Common Myths About Allergies
More Allergy Facts
- More than half of all Americans test positive for one or more allergens.
- Allergens such as dust mite, rye, ragweed or cockroach cause sensitization in approximately 25 percent of the U.S. population.
- Allergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic disease in the U.S.
- Each year, more than 18 million office visits to primary care physicians result in a diagnosis of sinusitis, and 14.1 million physician office visits are attributed to allergic rhinitis.
- Allergies to drugs account for up to 10 percent of all adverse drug reactions, with skin irritation being the most common reaction.
Source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
March 2006 — With more than 50 million Americans suffering from allergic diseases, it's easy to understand why misconceptions about allergies abound. In fact, many of these myths have been widely accepted as fact.
Like many of his peers, Neil Gershman, MD, an allergy/immunology specialist on the medical staff at Memorial Regional Hospital, is determined to separate fact from fiction. Here, he debunks four common allergy-related myths:
MYTH
South Florida is a bad place for those allergic to pollens.
TRUTH
This misconception most likely stems from the fact that our environment is green year-round," says Dr. Gershman. "But South Florida has low pollen counts compared to other parts of the country." While the reason for these low pollen counts is unknown, it may be due to our area's high humidity and coastal winds. Rather than pollen, dust mites are probably the biggest problem for South Florida allergy sufferers, according to Dr. Gershman.
MYTH
People can be allergic to odors like perfume or smoke.
TRUTH
Irritants like perfume, paint fumes or smoke can be very bothersome, causing "irritant rhinitis" (inflammation of the nose's inner lining) that results in nasal congestion, runny nose and other "allergic" symptoms. But, according to Dr. Gershman, these substances are not allergens (substances that cause allergies) because they do not contain proteins that are recognized by the body's immune system. "A true allergic reaction only occurs if the immune system is involved," he says. "Allergic people tend to have more problems with such irritants, so treating underlying allergies can make them more tolerant of them."
MYTH
Certain dog breeds affect people with allergies more than others.
TRUTH
"To my knowledge, this has never been proven scientifically," says Dr. Gershman. "The main source of dog allergen protein is dander — particles of skin from around the hair follicle. Saliva and urine also contain allergen. So, the type of dog or the length of the dog's hair, shouldn't make a difference. But theoretically, smaller dogs should be better than larger dogs because they have less surface area." Also, he says, one particular dog within the same breed may have lower allergen levels than another. That is, Rover may produce 100 times more allergen than Fido, even if they're both German Shepherds. This is why someone might say, "My dog (or cat) doesn't bother me as much as others."
MYTH
"Topical" steroids, such as nasal spray and inhaled steroids for asthma, are unsafe for children.
TRUTH
People often confuse topical steroids with oral steroids, the latter of which circulate throughout the entire body and may produce certain side effects when used more than a few weeks at a time. In contrast, topical steroids work only where you put them — into the nose or bronchial tubes. "I believe this misconception is responsible for a great deal of suffering," says Dr. Gershman. "The newer nasal steroids have been shown to be essentially free of significant issues in children as young as 2 years old. Long-term studies also have shown low doses of inhaled steroids to be extremely safe in children and adults with asthma. It is unfortunate that they are so underused, because they are effective for asthma — definitely more than antihistamines — and are the only drugs shown to help prevent asthma deaths."
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