My Flight Surgeon
Sr. Aviation Medical Examiner
This is one of a series of posts about medical issues potentially affecting a pilot’s ability to obtain a medical certificate. In this series, we will look at common problems seen by the AME, review the requirements the FAA has to consider allowing one to fly and discuss what you need to do to expedite consideration by the FAA to allow you to fly. We plan to go through all of the medical history items in Section 18 on the front of Form 8500-8 over the next several months.
Item18e. Hay fever or allergy
If you have hay fever or allergies you should report frequency and duration of symptoms, and whether they have been incapacitating by the condition. Mention should also be made of treatment and side effects. Hay fever controlled solely by desensitization (allergy shots) without requiring antihistamines or other medications is not disqualifying. Applicants with seasonal allergies requiring antihistamines may be certified by the Examiner with the stipulation that they not exercise privileges of airman certification within 24 hours of experiencing symptoms requiring treatment or within 24 hours after taking a sedating antihistamine. Non-sedating antihistamines loratadine (Claritin) or fexofenadine (Allegra) may be used while flying, after adequate individual experience has determined that the medication is well tolerated without significant side effects. The problem with these allergies is the swelling of the opening to the Eustachian tube in the middle ear or to the sinuses. If either of these is obstructed, one can develop pain and/or dizziness associated with the blockage and as we all know, dizziness can lead to spatial disorientation.
The use of desensitization (allergy shots), nasal steroid spray or nasal cromolyn spray requires a current status report be submitted to the FAA. If the symptoms are not controlled, the AME must defer the medical certificate and allow the FAA to make the decision regarding certification.
If the allergies are severe and require surgery for removal of polyps or systemic corticosteroids (like prednisone) then the decision regarding flight status is made by the FAA.
The important take home points regarding hay fever and allergies include: 1) allergy shots or desensitization by itself is not disqualifying, 2) your may fly with the non-sedating antihistamines loratadine (Claritin) or fexofenadine (Allegra) once you have determined they do not produce side effects for you, 3), you may NOT fly within 24 hours of taking sedating antihistamines such as Benadryl or Zyrtec, 4) you may NOT fly within 24 hours of experiencing the symptoms of allergy or hay fever, and 5) there are nasal sprays (Afrin) that can relieve the symptoms of nasal congestion and ear blockage for a short period of time.
*Italicized sections are excerpts from FAA documents.
Item18e. Hay fever or allergy
Hay fever or allergy
If you have hay fever or allergies you should report frequency and duration of symptoms, and whether they have been incapacitating by the condition. Mention should also be made of treatment and side effects. Hay fever controlled solely by desensitization (allergy shots) without requiring antihistamines or other medications is not disqualifying. Applicants with seasonal allergies requiring antihistamines may be certified by the Examiner with the stipulation that they not exercise privileges of airman certification within 24 hours of experiencing symptoms requiring treatment or within 24 hours after taking a sedating antihistamine. Non-sedating antihistamines loratadine (Claritin) or fexofenadine (Allegra) may be used while flying, after adequate individual experience has determined that the medication is well tolerated without significant side effects. The problem with these allergies is the swelling of the opening to the Eustachian tube in the middle ear or to the sinuses. If either of these is obstructed, one can develop pain and/or dizziness associated with the blockage and as we all know, dizziness can lead to spatial disorientation.
The use of desensitization (allergy shots), nasal steroid spray or nasal cromolyn spray requires a current status report be submitted to the FAA. If the symptoms are not controlled, the AME must defer the medical certificate and allow the FAA to make the decision regarding certification.
If the allergies are severe and require surgery for removal of polyps or systemic corticosteroids (like prednisone) then the decision regarding flight status is made by the FAA.
The important take home points regarding hay fever and allergies include: 1) allergy shots or desensitization by itself is not disqualifying, 2) your may fly with the non-sedating antihistamines loratadine (Claritin) or fexofenadine (Allegra) once you have determined they do not produce side effects for you, 3), you may NOT fly within 24 hours of taking sedating antihistamines such as Benadryl or Zyrtec, 4) you may NOT fly within 24 hours of experiencing the symptoms of allergy or hay fever, and 5) there are nasal sprays (Afrin) that can relieve the symptoms of nasal congestion and ear blockage for a short period of time.
*Italicized sections are excerpts from FAA documents.
