Allergy season / Doctors: Unrecommended medications can worsen patients’ condition

The peak of seasonal allergies has not yet been reached, and medical professionals are raising concerns about patients self-medicating. According to doctors, taking medication without a prescription not only fails to properly treat allergies, but can often mask the diagnosis and worsen the patient’s condition.

“A portion of seasonal allergy sufferers self-medicate because symptoms appear when they are outside the home due to pollen, and they go to pharmacies to get treatment. This medication should not be taken for more than 2–3 days; proper treatment must be ensured by a specialist doctor. It is always important to know how long the medication should be taken, why it is being taken, and whether it suits individual characteristics. After the pandemic, since 2020, there has been confusion among allergic patients, as some are only diagnosed with bronchial asthma, and years later we see that things do not go well because asthma is not fully controlled. Delayed diagnosis worsens the condition.”

According to specialists, self-medication is more common among adults and people of working age, who often seek quick solutions due to busy schedules.

“Adults are those who self-medicate the most, as well as people of active working age. Being busy with work, they seek advice or recommendations from relatives or friends who have used medication before. But this is wrong, because there are several factors that must be evaluated by a specialist doctor.”

Another issue is the confusion between allergies and seasonal viral infections due to similar symptoms. However, allergist Mira Xhixha explains the differences and when one should suspect allergies.

“With viral infections we have fever and often persistent headaches. Allergies are not accompanied by fever and usually do not cause headaches,” she explains. “Viral infections last 5–7 days, while allergies can last up to two weeks or more.”

To ease symptoms and avoid worsening the condition, doctors recommend simple preventive measures.

“Wearing sunglasses and masks outdoors helps reduce exposure to pollen.”

According to health specialists, the peak of pollen and grass-related allergies is expected around mid-May.

“KORÇA BOOM”