Ask someone to describe allergies and you'll probably hear about nasal misery and itchy eyes. But the impact of allergies can reach much further than that, as questions to the Deseret News/Intermountain Healthcare Hotline Saturday proved.

Ear, nose and throat specialist Dr. Joshua Bradley and Dr. Saurabh Shah, chief of the division of otolaryngology at LDS Hospital, fielded dozens of calls, from people who know they have allergies and want some guidance, to folks who wonder if allergies explain their uncomfortable symptoms. Food and seasonal allergies and perennial favorites like dust mites and pet dander were all fodder for discussion.

Shah described allergies as water in a dam that just builds up until it overflows.

While allergies often appear as plugged sinuses and itchy, watery eyes, they can also contribute to ear problems such as otitis media, tinnitus and Menière's disease, Shah said. Food allergies show up in a lot of ways — from a severe anaphylactic allergy to shellfish or nuts, to milder symptoms that can include hives, stomach pain, diarrhea, wheezing, runny or stuffy nose or lightheadedness, among others.

Several callers wondered what to do about chronic nasal congestion. Bradley said it's a good idea to get it checked to see if a deviated septum is creating problems. Both doctors noted that because Utah's very dry, people can get a surprising amount of relief from simply spraying saline into their nose to moisten it.

The doctors also discussed "cross" food allergies, where someone with a known allergy may develop an allergic reaction to certain foods. For instance, a birch allergy may trigger reaction to apples, carrots, celery, kiwi, peaches, pears or potatoes. Allergy to dust mites may lead to problems with shrimp or snail, while grass crosses with kiwi, melons or tomatoes.

Shah said he sometimes counsels someone with a food allergy to eliminate it vigilantly then reintroduce it in small amounts in about six months to see if it can then be tolerated.

Allergies aren't something to be passively endured. Immunotherapy, surgery, antibiotics and steroids are a few of the medical approaches.

But allergy sufferers can also help themselves by taking certain steps. If you're allergic to dust mites, for example, encase mattresses and pillows in mite-proof covers, eliminate carpets where you can and vacuum frequently.

You can reduce pet allergies by creating pet-free zones (especially the bedroom), wash pets often and select female pets rather than male pets.

For outdoor irritants, stay inside when it's rampant, wash clothes immediately and bathe or shower.

E-MAIL: lois@desnews.com