This IS an awful spring for allergy-sufferers. The mild summer of 2022 and this past very wet winter is resulting in a lot of plant growth. I’ve been watching the new plants and shrubs growing on the green mountains since January and I predict it will be very severe.
Signs that you may be allergic to the environment include runny nose, itchy, red, runny eyes, sneezing, wheezing, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, runny nose, sinus pain and pressure, sneezing, plugged ears, mild fever, and fatigue or brain fog (from difficulty sleeping). If you’ve noticed hives or itching when outside, you are probably allergic to something in the environment. The presence of chronic allergic lung or skin conditions, like asthma or eczema, may worsen during spring as well, causing shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, cough or itchy, red, scaly rash, respectively.
Don’t despair, though, because there is plenty we can do. First avoidance: close the doors and windows of your house and let the air conditioning and heating work for you; change your filter at least monthly; take off your shoes at the door; take a shower at night before you jump into bed to prevent pollen transfer; wipe off dogs when they come inside with baby wipes; and consider an air purifier in your bedroom. Rinse your target organs with saline…like sinus rinse for your nose or sterile saline eyedrops for your eyes. This keeps the allergies that have landed there rinsed out.
Then, there’s medications: steroid nasal sprays are the first choice for both allergic and nonallergic rhinitis. Antihistamines are reserved for allergies.
Most people that get to Allergist-Immunologists are desperate. Their quality of life is lower, and they have tried all of the above and more. If you are one of these patients or your allergy medication has simply worn off, consider allergen immunotherapy. This is a regular, repeated exposure to your allergies, starting at levels below the allergic threshold. It is designed to give your regulatory cells, those that stop your allergic cells from overreacting, time to multiply enough to overcome the allergy cells. Continued exposure keeps them high enough to continue inhibiting those allergic cells over time.
Don’t wait any longer! You deserve to be Relieve-d. If you would like to be tested for your allergies or believe you might be a good candidate for allergen immunotherapy, Dr. Wendt and her staff at Relieve Allergy, Asthma & Hives would love to help.
Dr. Wendt is a nationally recognized, board-certified Allergist-Immunologist and a best-selling author of What’s Eating Our Kids? A Parent’s Guide to Food Allergy, Intolerance, and Toxicity.
Relieve Allergy Asthma & Hives is located near Kierland Commons, Scottsdale Quarter, DC Ranch and Grayhawk at 21803 N. Scottsdale Road Ste. 200, on the corners of Deer Valley and Scottsdale Roads, and has convenient evening and early morning hours to accommodate your schedule.
Dr. Wendt is also available for telemedicine appointments as appropriate. Insurance plans accepted. Call 480-500-1902 today to schedule an appointment now and begin your allergy testing and treatment with Dr. Wendt at Relieve Allergy, Asthma & Hives in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Learn more about Dr. Wendt and Relieve Allergy Asthma & Hives at www.relieveallergyaz.com and FOLLOW US on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Linked In.
