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The Ugly Truth About Seasonal Summer Allergies

When getting ready for summer, many look forward to cute outfits, going to the beach, and spending some much needed time outside. However, nothing ruins a summer look more than the effects of seasonal summer allergies. Besides a runny nose and puffy red eyes, summer allergies can leave you with more than you expected. If you find yourself looking like you lost a one-sided fight, we can help. 

Why Now?

For allergy sufferers, summer can be one of the worst times of the year, and can rival both spring and fall. Symptoms can expand from the run of the mill runny nose and watery eyes to other more severe cosmetic problems. These can include black eyes, nose lines and swelling. 

Even if you’ve never suffered from allergies, they can attack at any age or time of year. They can also flare up if you’ve recently moved to a different region of the country. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms below and need relief, contact the experienced allergists at McGovern Allergy and Asthma Clinic. 

Types of Summer Allergies

The most common types of summer allergies are pollen, mold and insect stings/bites. However, produce such as celery, melons and apples can also cause a severe increase in symptoms. This phenomenon is known as food pollen syndrome, and is a result of cross reacting allergens in raw fruits, pollen, vegetables and tree nuts. 

Sometimes people confuse allergies with a cold or other ailments. However, if your symptoms last for more than two weeks, it is time to seek professional help. 

Severe Allergy Symptoms

Some of the common severe allergy symptoms include the following:

Allergic Shiner: Heavy, dark circles under the eyes. These are caused by swelling and discoloration from the congestion of tiny blood vessels below the delicate skin around the eyes. 

Allergic (Adenoidal) Face: Typically, nasal allergies contribute to the swelling of the adenoids (tissue lining the back of the throat and nose). This can cause a tired and droopy appearance.

Nasal Crease: Many people rub their noses in an upward manner in order to relieve symptoms such as itching and congestion. This can cause a line on the bridge of the nose. 

Mouth Breathing: Allergic rhinitis can contribute to chronic mouth breathing. This can lead to more serious problems during development such as an arched palate, an elevated upper lip and an overbite. 

Contact Us

If you’re struggling with severe summer allergies, don’t suffer in silence. Book an appointment with one of McGovern Allergy and Asthma Clinic’s esteemed allergists today. Call 713-661-1444 or visit mcgovernallergy.com. 

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Suffering from Spring Allergies? Check Out These Tips!

If there is one thing that won’t put a little spring in your step, it’s allergies. Instead of enjoying the nice weather, you have to worry about itchy eyes and cough attacks. Luckily, we’re here to offer you a few tips to help manage your spring allergies.

Tip #1: Do some spring cleaning! 

Whip out your cleaning supplies and get rid of the dust that has been building up in your home all winter to make it as allergen-free as possible. Vacuum throughly and consider getting a HEPA filter. Also, keep your pets off your bed! Your fluffy friends can carry pollen and attract dust mites. This means even if you aren’t allergic to their specific allergens, your pets can still bring other allergy triggering symptoms into your home.

Tip #2 : Check the pollen and mold count every morning! 

You can check the pollen count every morning online. Use this to prepare yourself for the day ahead—both mentally and by taking your allergy medication. If the count is especially high, consider staying indoors. 

Tip #3: Get an allergy shot!

If your allergy medication isn’t working, consider getting an allergy shot! Allergy shots are effective in treating many types of spring allergies. Visit a trusted allergy clinic, like McGovern Allergy and Asthma Clinic, to get yours today. 

Tip #4:  Wear big sunglasses 

Buoyhealth.com suggests wearing big sunglasses to prevent allergens from flying in your eyes. You could also be trendy and wear a face mask if your allergies are severe. Since many spring allergens are too minuscule to be filtered naturally by your nose and throat, defense mechanisms such as sunglasses or face masks can help filter the air around you. 

Tip #5: Switch up your shower routine

Showering at night can actually be better for your allergies, according to verywellhealth.com. So if you’re a morning shower person, try switching it up and showering at night to wash all that pollen off.

If you feel like you’ve tried everything on this tip list and your allergy symptoms still aren’t improving, book an appointment with a trusted allergy clinic, like McGovern Allergy and Asthma Clinic. McGovern’s board-certified allergists can help by conducting tests to see what specific allergens are causing you grief and finding you a treatment that actually works.

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Suffering from Spring Allergies? Check Out These Tips!

If there is one thing that won’t put a little spring in your step, it’s allergies. Instead of enjoying the nice weather, you have to worry about itchy eyes and cough attacks. Luckily, we’re here to offer you a few tips to help manage your spring allergies.

Tip #1: Do some spring cleaning! 

Whip out your cleaning supplies and get rid of the dust that has been building up in your home all winter to make it as allergen-free as possible. Vacuum throughly and consider getting a HEPA filter. Also, keep your pets off your bed! Your fluffy friends can carry pollen and attract dust mites. This means even if you aren’t allergic to their specific allergens, your pets can still bring other allergy triggering symptoms into your home.

Tip #2 : Check the pollen and mold count every morning! 

You can check the pollen count every morning online. Use this to prepare yourself for the day ahead—both mentally and by taking your allergy medication. If the count is especially high, consider staying indoors. 

Tip #3: Get an allergy shot!

If your allergy medication isn’t working, consider getting an allergy shot! Allergy shots are effective in treating many types of spring allergies. Visit a trusted allergy clinic, like McGovern Allergy and Asthma Clinic, to get yours today. 

Tip #4:  Wear big sunglasses 

Buoyhealth.com suggests wearing big sunglasses to prevent allergens from flying in your eyes. You could also be trendy and wear a face mask if your allergies are severe. Since many spring allergens are too minuscule to be filtered naturally by your nose and throat, defense mechanisms such as sunglasses or face masks can help filter the air around you. 

Tip #5: Switch up your shower routine

Showering at night can actually be better for your allergies, according to verywellhealth.com. So if you’re a morning shower person, try switching it up and showering at night to wash all that pollen off.

If you feel like you’ve tried everything on this tip list and your allergy symptoms still aren’t improving, book an appointment with a trusted allergy clinic, like McGovern Allergy and Asthma Clinic. McGovern’s board-certified allergists can help by conducting tests to see what specific allergens are causing you grief and finding you a treatment that actually works.

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Skin Test vs. Blood Test: Which Test is Better?

It’s the peak of allergy season, and allergens are everywhere. This is the time of the year that you see your symptoms worsen. They may even get so bad that you need to see a doctor. 

Allergy specialists use testing to determine the environmental factors or foods that a patient is allergic to. Typically, allergists use skin testing or blood testing as their diagnostic procedure, but this leaves many patients wondering which type of testing is better. The short answer is, each test has its own advantages and limitations. 

How are Blood Tests and Skin Tests Similar?

Both blood and skin tests work to diagnose allergens by detecting antibodies known as Immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE’s live in a patient’s blood and skin, recognize allergens and trigger an allergic response, allowing the physician to determine what factors are making the patient’s symptoms flare up. Blood tests detect IgE in the blood, while skin tests detect IgE on the skin. 

Advantages of Skin Tests

Generally speaking, skin tests are more sensitive than blood tests, meaning they are more likely to detect allergies that a blood test may miss. Skin tests also require less wait time, as results are typically delivered in 15-20 minutes, rather than the one to two week wait time of blood tests. Skin testing also allows physicians to select a wider range of allergens. For example, at McGovern Allergy and Asthma Clinic, physicians have access to over 150 different environmental and food allergens, allowing them to test for uncommon types of allergies. Blood tests are limited by what allergens laboratories test for—which is usually a much smaller amount than skin tests. Lastly, skin testing is much less expensive than a blood test. 

Advantages of Blood Tests

While skin testing may seem like the way to go, there are advantages to blood testing that skin testing simply cannot provide. Skin tests require patients to stop taking anti-histamines five to seven days prior to their test. This is because anti-histamine medications make skin less reactive. Blood tests, however, are not affected by medication. Patients with severe allergies who cannot stop taking medication can benefit from continuing their medication while undergoing a blood test. Additionally, patients with sensitive skin (dermatographia) or hives, can produce false positive results on a skin test, reducing the test’s reliability. 

Furthermore, patients with eczema or those with severe allergic reactions are also better candidates for blood testing. Lastly, blood testing allows for component testing in food allergies, meaning the test can actually determine the exact proteins in food that a patient is allergic too, and can even predict the severity of his or her allergic reaction. 

Which is Better?

There really is no one-size-fits-all allergy test. Your best bet to getting the most out of your allergy testing is to consult with an experienced allergist, like those at McGovern Allergy and Asthma Clinic. A knowledgeable and experienced allergist will determine which type of testing is best for each individual patient—taking into consideration his or her previous medical history and the advantages and limitations of each type of test. Sometimes allergists may even use both types of testing, when results from a blood or skin test aren’t definitively clear. 

Contact Us

If you are experiencing allergy symptoms and are looking for relief, contact the experienced team at McGovern Allergy and Asthma Clinic today. Visit https://www.mcgovernallergy.com or call 713-661-1444 to book an appointment today. 

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Does Hurricane Season Affect Allergies & Asthma?

Hurricane season is upon us and with it comes an increase in outdoor allergens that can be found in the air. Allergy and Asthma triggers can result from these factors as well as additional wind, rain, and plant growth. The season officially started on June 1st and will continue until November 30th, but there are ways to find relief from the top factors that cause allergy and asthma reactions during this time.

Here are the top three factors that worsen allergies and asthma during Hurricane season.

Factor #1: The Gusty Wind

During hurricane season, the wind stirs up various outdoor allergens including wet mold spores. The damp environments resulting from the heavy rains can also cause an increase in mold count. During this time, people with mold allergies can have severe reactions that can lead to chronic lung illnesses and lung infections from these types of airborne allergens. 

Factor #2: Homeowner Power Loss

Storms can cause power outages in homes and when the power is out reactions are typically concentrated on air conditioning units, especially in the Summer months. Not only do these units keep the home cool, but they also assist in keeping humidity low. When the units are running, they help to filter and dehumidify the warm, humid air which prevents mold from growing easier and the proliferation of dust mites.

Factor #3: The After Effects of a Hurricane

When moisture is brought into an already high-humidity environment the excess water will cause plants to bloom causing allergies to worsen for those who react to shrub particles. The unsafe weather can also put a pause on services such as mowing and general yard maintenance, which will leave plants and weeds to continue growing and release allergens. 

How can Allergy and Asthma reactions be prevented during Hurricane Season? 

#1: Create an Asthma Action Plan, if you do not have one already!

Asthma Action plans are important to have in writing. This is a plan that should provide information and instructions on how to manage your asthma. It should include the medicines to take, the symptoms that appear when your asthma is getting worse and what steps to take in an emergency. If you need some assistance creating an Asthma Action Plan, visit your allergist or the board certified allergists at McGovern Allergy and Asthma Clinic to help develop your plan for emergencies.

#2: Be Ready to be without Power or Evacuate if Necessary 

Prepare a go bag filled with the necessities to help with asthma or allergy relief. Make sure to include enough medicine to last several days, your doctor’s contact information, copies of your Asthma Action Plan, a portable battery-powered nebulizer (if you use one), a mask to wear for protection from mold and airborne allergens, and your insurance cards. 

#3: Be Prepared with Cleanup Items Before the Storm Hits

After a hurricane or a major storm every item to help with cleanup is often sold out, so to help prepare yourself make sure to purchase and pack gloves and masks with your medicine. This will help in ensuring that you are ready to take action as soon as the storm is over. This can be critical if your home has flooded or has water damage from the hurricane.

#4: Thunderstorm Asthma During Hurricanes

Thunderstorms can cause asthma triggers for those with allergic asthma. The wind picks up pollen grains that have been broken up during the storm and spreads them around. The tiny particles made smaller from the storm can be inhaled into the lungs which can result in Thunderstorm Asthma. Be sure to follow your Asthma Action Plan and the outlined steps should an Asthma attack occur.

Contact Us

If you are experiencing allergy symptoms and are looking for relief, contact the experienced team at McGovern Allergy and Asthma Clinic today. Visit https://www.mcgovernallergy.com or call 713-661-1444 to book an appointment today.