Protect Yourself from the Allergies This Summer

Summer time is finally here (almost, use your imagination)! That means barbeques, days at the beach and hikes through the woods. Who doesn’t love getting out, enjoying some fresh air and experiencing all the beauty that Houston has to to offer? But what of those with allergies? Oh, you think people only experience allergies during the fall and spring?

Think again! Allergies are around during every season, and summer is no exception. While pollen may be less of a concern, there are still plenty of allergies in the Houston area to go around.

Sunscreen. It is the backbone to any summer outing. Important to protect yourself from burns, skin cancer and really, everyone looks cool with a little shine on the bridge of their nose. Many of the sunscreens on the market contain chemicals that our bodies are not use to. Some may breakout in a rash or hives after a few minutes or hours of wearing the sunscreen.

Barbecues. How fun. The kids are running around the backyard; the adults are enjoying some cold beverages huddles around the picnic tables trading stories from their weeks so far. Those that have a severe allergy to tree pollen may find that they begin to experience an allergic reaction once that barbecue is underway. This is because the wood that is being burned, usually to add flavor to the meat, may still contain pollen. That pollen is released into the air once the tree is burned.

Insects. Maybe the worst part about summer? You swat at them, you light candles to keep them away but sometimes no matter what you do the bugs just keep on coming. Yellow jackets, honeybees, paper wasps, hornets and fire ants are the five types of insects that are known to create the most severe type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. The reaction to an insect sting is hard to predict, you may be fine the first time you are stung by a bee, but the next time you could suffer from a severe reaction.

The only surefire way to prevent yourself from suffering from a summertime allergic reaction is to visit your Houston allergyspecialist. The allergist will run a series of tests to determine what you are allergic to. You can then work on a treatment plan before the warm weather sets in.  You may be advices to carry an epinephrine auto injector with you. This is the only known treatment for a life threatening reaction.

Get Allergy Treatment to Live a Better Life

Spring. The season to stop and smell the flowers while listening to birds happily singing away. Sounds just lovely! Unfortunately, those that suffer from seasonal allergies are not singing the same happy tune.

Grass pollen, ragweed pollen and tree pollen are making those with allergies miserable during this time of year in Houston Texas. It is hard to enjoy the beauty of the season when your eyes are watering and your nose is stuffed up. 

This is where allergy clinics in Houston come into play. Your experienced allergist is able to run through a series of tests to determine what you are actually allergic to. A skin prick test involves placing a small drop of an allergen extra on your skin. That drop is pricked with a needle in order to allow a small amount of the extra under your skin. After 15 minutes, any reaction such as red, raised bumps are measured. The larger the area, the more allergic you are. A blood test can also be performed to confirm the results from the skin prick test. A blood test is used to measure the amount of allergen specific antibodies, called Immunoglobulin E (IgE), that are in your blood.

Once your Houston allergist has confirmed what you are allergic to, they will review your options for allergy treatments. Avoidance is the best method to treat allergies. You can do this by not opening your windows during heavy pollen days and making sure to clean your air conditioner filters. Many find that this form of treatment cannot be done, as most of us do need to spend time outside.

That leaves medications such as antihistamines or decongestants to treat the symptoms of immunotherapy to actually treat the allergy. Many of these medications are available over the counter, making it easy to try them out to see which works best for you. You should consult with your Houston allergist before you decide which medication to try.

Immunotherapy comes in the form of allergy shots or allergy drops. This therapy involves introducing you to a very small amount of what you are allergic to over an extended period of time (up to a few years). At the end of the treatment, your body will have gotten used to the allergens and no longer produces an allergic reaction.

Your Houston allergist is able to provide you with information on any of these treatment options. Don’t let another miserable spring go by without finally doing something about it.  Who wants to live their life being unable to smell the roses?

What are you actually allergic to when you’re allergic to your pet?

Have you ever wondered what it is about man’s bed friend in Houston, Texas that makes your eyes water and your throat itchy? Maybe you’ve always assumed that it was a cat’s fiery personality that made you sneeze six times in a row. What you are experiencing is an allergic reaction. While it is recommended if you are experiencing these symptoms to get rid of the offending animal, there are some solutions if their cute little face is just too much for you.

First things first, what is an allergy? Your body’s main goal is to protect you. Unfortunately sometimes this does not work out too well and your body mistakes a harmless protein, such as pollen, as a threat and attacks it. To combat the allergen (the harmless protein), your immune system releases a large amount of antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE), which release histamine and other chemicals. These chemicals cause the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Now that we know what an allergy is, we need to figure out what you are allergic to. What part of the pet is causing these symptoms? Turns out, what you are allergic to is the proteins in your pet's urine, saliva or dander (dead skin cells). Contrary to popular belief, you are not allergic to the pet’s hair. The hair can trap these proteins and cause a reaction, but you are reacting to the proteins and not the hair itself.

Typically, the allergens enter your body through the eyes and nose, which irritates the membranes. This leads to a stuffy nose, itchy eyes and constant sneezing.  If the allergens enter the lungs they can lead to breathing problems.

As we already mentioned, the best treatment to relieve these symptoms is to get rid of your furry friend. Calm down. We didn’t mean sending them to “go live on a farm.” Do you think we are monsters?? We mean finding them a good home with a loving family, none of which who have any allergies.

If you cannot bring yourself to send them away, there are a few other solutions.

• Keep the pet out of your bedroom. Even though the kitchen is the “heart of the home,” you actually spend most of your time sleeping. Keeping your pet out of your bedroom will ensure a restful and allergy attack-free night of sleep
• Take out any wall-to-wall carpeting; it just traps the pet dander.
• If you have central heat or central air, invest in a HEPA filter to remove the pet allergens from the air
• Wash your pet every other week; this will remove the build up of allergens in their fur

The last, and most important step is to talk to your Houston area allergist. They deal with various pet allergies in Houston, Texas every day, so they are the experts!

Allergy - Allergic to Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s day is quickly approaching. This means candies and flowers galore. But, what if you live in Houston, Texas and have allergies? There are some simple tips and tricks to get you through this holiday without having an allergic reaction. After all, I bet the dinner you and your special someone have planned at a romantic restaurant is way better than the hospital food you’d have to settle for.

Check the label. Valentine’s candy may be processed at a different facility than their regular-sized versions, don’t assume sometime is safe to eat just because it has been safe to eat in the past. A little extra work will save you aggravation later.

Bake your own treats at home, instead of buying something from a Houston bakery. If you make something yourself, you can be sure it does not contain anything you are allergic to. Valentine’s day is busy time of year for bakers, while they can normally be trusted to follow your specific dietary instructions they may miss them with so much chaos going on this time of year. If you want to get in the holiday spirit, heart shaped molds can be purchased online.

Don’t forget to talk to your date about your food allergy. Kissing someone who had recently eaten something you are allergic to can put you at risk of going into anaphylaxis. Always bring your epi-pen with you, even on a date.

If you or your date has an allergy to pollen, consider buying something besides long-stemmed red roses. Silk flowers provide the same look as the real ones but are non-allergenic and have the added bonus of lasting forever. There are countless other (and more personal gifts) to give instead of flowers. How about a picture frame of a memorable date? Or a mug with a meaningful television quote on it? The sky is the limit. And on the plus side, thinking outside of the box is cheaper and more meaningful than a trip to the Houston florists.

Having an allergy does not have to limit you. In fact, it forces you to think beyond the cliché. If you have any questions about managing your allergies, your Houston allergist is always available to answer questions. They want you to have a safe and happy Valentine’s day.

Food Allergies in a School Setting

Managing your child’s food allergies at a Houston, Texas school does not have to be the hair pulling experiencing it used to be.

·         Familiarize yourself with the schools current procedure for treating an allergic reaction

·         Provide the school with a copy of your child’s food allergy & anaphylaxis emergency care plan, created with the help of your child’s allergist. The plan should contain:

o   A list of all foods your child is allergic to

o   A list of all possible reactions

o   How each symptom should be treated

o   Contact information for your child’s allergist, other medical professionals your child sees and you

·         Provide the school with at least one (preferably two) epinephrine auto-injectors and any other medications used to treat an allergic reaction

o   If your child is able, they should carry an epinephrine auto-injector in their backpack. Texas public schools allow children to receive written permission to carry an epinephrine auto-injector, you should check with your child’s Houston school to confirm their policy

·         Meet with members of the school, such as the school nurse, teachers and administrators to discuss the severity and proper treatment of your child’s food allergy

·         Meet with the director of the food program at your child’s school to determine if your child will need to bring their lunch ever day or if a special lunch can be made for them

·         Meet with your child’s teacher to discuss strategies to avoid an allergic reaction in the classroom – this will be covered on next week’s blog post!