7 June 2018
 Categories: Health & Medical , Blog

Getting older comes with a unique set of challenges, but if your elderly mom or dad is suddenly dealing with allergies they've never had before, those challenges are elevated to new heights. The symptoms can interfere with already-limited activity, causing an elderly person to want to hibernate and driving you crazy. Beyond the sympathy you may feel, there's plenty for you to do, including investigate further and take the steps needed to find relief for your parent.

The Symptoms Of Common Allergies

Unfortunately, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be all over the place. Especially with an elderly person, allergies may cause fatigue, which too often is attributed to age. Watch your mom or dad for the following tell-tale indications that they're allergic to something around them:

• Frequent sneezing.
• Puffy eyes that itch.
• Congestion, usually with a runny nose or post-nasal drip.
• Coughing with a sore throat.
• Trouble swallowing, along with a hoarse voice.

Many people, along with their families, are surprised by allergies that show up later on in life; however, they can emerge in anyone at any age. Sometimes, a pet may be responsible for the allergic reaction, even though your elderly parent has been around (and loved) cats and dogs forever. You may need to closely examine the environment in order to determine the exact cause of the allergic reaction(s).

What May Be Causing The Allergic Reactions

Even if your elderly mom or dad never had any type of allergy throughout their entire lives, as people get older, their immune system changes and that may be why they're suddenly experiencing symptoms. Your parent may also have different reactions to certain foods or medicines now, on account of their aging immune system.

Allergic symptoms may be brought on by a number of elements in the environment, but you generally want to be on the lookout for:

• Seasonal pollen.
• Dust in the air.
• Dander from pets.
• Mold spores (both indoor and outdoor).

It can be difficult to determine the source of an allergic reaction, unless your mom or dad suddenly bursts out sneezing every time they walk near a certain tree or pet. It might help to take notes on symptoms, when and where they occur and any other relevant information you could provide to a doctor.

How You Can Help

The first call you should make regarding your elderly parent's possible allergies is their physician, who may refer your mom or dad to an allergist. Tests will be conducted to help identify the specific culprits causing the reactions and from there, allergy treatment options can be considered. It's very important to consider other situations that may be going on, including, but not limited to, prescription medications and combinations of medications, as they can sometimes cause what appears to be a common allergic reaction. Your parent may be advised to take a decongestant, antihistamine or other over-the-counter remedy. In more severe cases, immunotherapy, where an incrementally increasing amount of the allergic substance is injected into the patient so they form a natural resistance, may be recommended.

Additionally, there are other steps you can take, beyond the traditional "Bless you!", that will help your mom or dad cope:

• Ask them to stay indoors when pollen counts are high, especially in the morning or if it's windy.
• Invest in allergy-proof bedding for them.
• Try an allergen mask for necessary outdoor exposure.
• Suggest they immediately change clothes when coming inside.
• Put a dehumidifier in their home or room.
• Be sure they take their medication and report anything unusual to their doctor.

While figuring out a new allergy is fairly hectic, eventually you should find a solution for your elderly parent and, hopefully, peace of mind for yourself.