Drugs may control postnasal drip

Dear Dr. Gott: Do you have a means of curing postnasal drip? I’ve suffered from this condition for several years.

Dear Reader: Postnasal drip, one of mankind’s most common ailments, is caused by upper respiratory infection, sinus inflammation or – most often – allergies. Although innocuous, the condition is associated with an irritated throat, nasal congestion and a troublesome, persistent, dry cough.

As you are aware, there are many over-the-counter preparations – such as Actifed, Sudafed, Tavist-D, and Dimetapp – marketed to control the symptoms of postnasal drip. In the main, these compounds are effective for the short-term (or periodic) alleviation of symptoms, especially in the presence of a cold or during the pollen season in spring and fall.

There are also prescription drugs – notably, Clarinex, Allegra and Zyrtec – that can be used by people in whom the nonprescription medicines are ineffective.

All these drugs contain an antihistamine, a substance that counteracts naturally occurring histamine in our bodies. It’s the histamine that causes the nasal congestion and excess mucus secretion. Some medications also contain a decongestant, a chemical that dries out mucus membranes.

If your postnasal drip occurs sporadically and responds to the drugs I mentioned, I suggest that you continue with whatever program reduces your symptoms.

On the other hand, if your cough and congestion are not relieved by these medications, you should see an allergist, who will check you for infection (using blood tests and X-rays) and determine whether you are reacting to certain pollens or other factors (such as house dust mites and animal dander) in your environment. This allergy evaluation is carried out by blood analysis and/or skin tests. The advantage of discovering the cause of your postnasal drip is that you may be able to avoid the substance, thereby eliminating your need for medication.

To give you more information, I am sending you a free copy of my Health Report “Allergies.” Other readers who would like a copy should send $2 plus a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope to Newsletter P.O. Box 167 Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: Can acne scars be corrected or cosmetically repaired?

Dear Reader: Acne scars can be treated in a number of ways, including dermabrasion or plastic surgery. A dermatologist can advise you about the first method, which involves high-speed sanding of the outer skin layers. If the scars are very deep, however, you’ll need the services of a plastic surgeon.