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Ears, Nose, Throat and Health

Intal, Leg ulcers

Don't Mask Your Allergy Symptoms, Treat Them

By Dr. W. Gifford Jones

March 18, 2000

What have sore eyes (allergic conjunctivitis), leg ulcers, asthma and my Mother to do with each other. A good Trivial Pursuit question! But to start this story. If you're a doctor it's not easy to be a hero with your Mother. She expects quick cures. And when you repeatedly fail she wonders, "Did my son learn anything in medical school and all those years of post-graduate training?"

Several years ago my stock was pretty low with my elderly Mother. She had struck her leg on a car door six months earlier which caused a leg ulcer. Several doctors couldn't cure it. Neither could I. That's when I wished I'd taken my Father's advice and become an engineer.

But then I got lucky. I met Dr. Roger Altounyan, of Manchester England, a researcher and former pilot in the Royal Air Force.

Dr. Altounyan had battled asthma since childhood. Then, as a physician, he offered himself as a human volunteer. For nine years he provoked his own asthmatic attacks and tested hundreds of drugs to ease his breathing. Now, millions of patients are using "Intal" (sodium cromoglycate) to prevent asthmatic episodes.

  Fortunately, Dr Altounyan invited me to join him with a Scotch-and-soda. He talked about his RAF exploits and Intal. And just as we were parting he said, "You know, Intal even cures leg ulcers".

  Wow! I could hardly wait to break the news to my Mother. For six days, twice a day, I sprinkled Intal powder on my Mother's leg. The ulcer healed. And of course I became a genius! Since then I've seen it cure other stubborn ulcers.

  How does Intal help sore eyes during this allergy season? Because its ingredient, sodium cromoglycate, is also a component of "Opticrom" eye drops.

  Opticrom has been the gold standard for allergic conjunctivitis and prescribed by doctors for 15 years. Now it can be obtained without a prescription. Moreover, sodium cromoglycate treats the underlying problem as well as the symptoms, unlike most other products.

  How does it work? Allergic symptoms occur when mast cells in the mucus membranes of the eyes and nose release histamine in response to allergens such as dust and pollen.

It's this release of histamine that triggers symptoms, itching, grittiness, redness and increased watering of the eyes. And sodium cromoglycate prevents the release of histamine.

  It's always prudent in treating your eyes to be sure of the diagnosis. Consequently, if you're not positive it's allergic conjunctivitis see your doctor. And be certain to consult a physician quickly if only one eye is affected, there's pain in the eye or vision is altered.

  But some general rules help patients pinpoint an allergic source. For instance, if symptoms affect both eyes without a change in vision it's more likely due to an allergy. And if the nose is affected there's more reason to suspect allergy as the cause.

  Suppose you suffer from allergic conjunctivitis and plan a walk in the woods. In this case you should start taking Opticrom three weeks earlier and continue taking it during the allergy season. This will offer maximum protection from symptoms.

  But if you're already suffering from itchy eyes, sodium cromoglycate will result in some relief after 10 minutes. And a clearing of symptoms within 10 days.

  Opticrom can be used by both adults and children. For adults and children over five years of age the usual dose is two drops into each eye four times a day.

The most frequent reaction to Opticrom is temporary stinging or burning when drops are placed in the eyes. But see your doctor if the condition worsens or if there's no relief within three days.

  What should you do if you use soft contact lenses? The manufacturer advises patients not to wear lenses during treatment. Some ophthalmologists claim this precaution is unnecessary if there are no corneal epithelial problems.

  Common sense provides some general rules to relieve symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. Avoid rubbing your eyes as this fans the fire. Rubbing results in the release of more histamine by the mast cells in the conjunctiva and eyelids.

  Cool, wet compresses along with artificial tears such as Cellufresh M.D. have a soothing effect. Oral antihistamines can be of help, but they may also decrease the production of tears. Parching can intensify symptoms.

  If a change of locale is an option, a damper, cooler climate can be part of the treatment. Or you can stay indoors on hot, dry days when the pollen count is high.

  I'll always be grateful to Dr. Altounyan and sodium cromoglycate. After all, what son doesn't want to be a hero with his Mother?


W. Gifford-Jones M.D is the pen name of Dr. Ken Walker graduate of Harvard. Dr. Walker's website is: Docgiff.com

My book, �90 + How I Got There� can be obtained by sending $19.95 to:

Giff Holdings, 525 Balliol St, Unit # 6,Toronto, Ontario, M4S 1E1

Pre-2008 articles by Gifford Jones
Canada Free Press, CFP Editor Judi McLeod