Lisa Sachdev, D.O.
Horizon Family Healthcare
7106 Spencer
Pasadena, TX 77505
281-542-7800, fax 281-542-7731
ALLERGIC RHINITIS
Nasal allergies (also called allergic rhinitis) are very common. If your allergies bother you only at certain times of
year, like in the spring when the trees begin to bloom, you have "hay fever," or seasonal nasal allergies. March and
April are the peak months for spring allergies, October and November are the peak months for fall allergies. If your
allergies seem to be with you all year long, you have perennial nasal allergies. Symptoms may include:
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Sneezing
Itchy nose, eyes, ears, and throat
Clear, runny nasal discharge
Stuffed-up nose
Red, watery eyes
Sore throat
Coughing
Tiredness
Headache
Tenderness in your cheeks and forehead
Loss of sleep, lack of energy, and difficulty concentrating on your work
Allergy Prevention Tips
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Sign up for allergy alerts on your smart phone, watch the weather forecast, or use a website such as
pollen.com to monitor the allergy counts in your area. Keep your windows closed in your home and car
to avoid letting in pollen, especially when the local pollen count is high. Set your air conditioners to recirculate in your home and vehicle, to avoid drawing in outside pollen-rich air.
The pollen counts are the highest between 5am and 10am, so limiting your outside exposure during those
times can be extremely helpful for diminishing your allergies.
Limit exposure on mornings that are especially warm and dry; these will usually be the high pollen count
days. Days that are dry and windy also have high pollen counts. The best time for outdoor activities is
immediately following a heavy rainfall.
Wash your face and hands after you’ve been outside to remove pollen. Also, change and wash clothes if
they’ve been exposed to pollen.
Bathe and shampoo hair daily before going to bed to remove pollen from hair and skin in order to keep it
off your bedding. Wash bedding in hot, soapy water once a week.
Minimize contact with items that have come in contact with pollen, such as pets and people that have
spent a large amount of time outdoors.
Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen, and in severe allergy cases, wear a facemask when
daily pollen counts are extremely high.
Allergy treatments are of three types: Prevention. Medication. Immunotherapy.
Prevention: Once identified, the cause of the symptoms may be avoided or removed from your life. For example, a
particular food can be avoided, or a pet can be removed from the home or kept away from sleeping areas.
Some causes of allergic symptoms, such as pollen, molds and dust mites, cannot be completely eliminated and are
difficult to avoid. Exposure can be reduced, however, by environmental control measures.
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Lisa Sachdev, D.O.
Horizon Family Healthcare
7106 Spencer
Pasadena, TX 77505
281-542-7800, fax 281-542-7731
ALLERGIC RHINITIS
Medication: Although prevention comes first, more may be needed. Medications are usually used to decrease
allergy symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life, recent advances in medications for asthma and other
allergic diseases have been phenomenal. Improvements in drugs have eliminated most of the side effects from
older drugs.
These are “over the counter” (OTC) products that Dr. Sachdev recommends during allergy season:
Simply Saline Nasal Spray- use as needed during the day to rinse pollen from your nose
Nasacort AQ Nasal Spray- steroid nasal spray, protects your nasal membrane from pollen. Use one spray
in each nostril every morning.
Afrin Decongestant Nasal Spray- may use 1-2 sprays in each nostril at bedtime as needed for nasal
congestion and drainage.
Antihistamines- Claritin, Allegra, Zyrtec (name brand or generic) are all now available without a Rx at your
pharmacy. If you are having a lot of nasal drainage you may ask your pharmacist for the "decongestant"
version which must be purchased at the pharmacy counter.
Naphcon-A Eye Drops- 1-2 drops in each eye several times daily as needed for redness and irritation
Immunotherapy ("allergy shots" or “allergy drops”): If a specific allergy is identified and it cannot be avoided or
medications are not sufficient to restore your health, the allergic symptoms may be controlled or eliminated with
immunotherapy. The treatment is a method for increasing the allergic patient's natural resistance (tolerance) to
the things that are triggering the allergic reactions.
Immunotherapy stimulates the immune system to fight allergies safely, effectively and naturally. Beginning with
small doses and increasing them gradually on a weekly or biweekly basis, the therapy continues until a
maintenance level is achieved.
Immunity does not occur immediately, but some patients do begin to feel better quickly. Most patients are
continued on immunotherapy for 3 to 5 years once they reach the maintenance dose. In some patients, immunity
is maintained and treatment can be stopped after several years. For others, treatment may be needed for longer
periods of time. Generally the benefits of immunotherapy can last for many years, or even a lifetime.
What is Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT), also known as “Allergy Drops”?
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a form of immunotherapy that involves putting drops of allergen extracts
under the tongue. Many people refer to this process as “allergy drops,” and it is an alternative treatment for
allergy shots. Drops of allergen extract are placed under the tongue and then swallowed. Generally, SLIT is
administered once daily for a period of 3 to 5 years. Most patients are able to self-administer SLIT at home.
**If you are interested in starting allergy drops please contact Dr. Sachdev’s assistant, Daniela Black, via phone
(281)542-7800 ext #306 or via portal message.
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