Allergy treatment at Fort Worth ENT & Sinus starts with determining types of allergies in Fort Worth the patient is experiencing. The type of allergy diagnosed will help your allergy specialist establish the best course of treatment for your allergic condition.
Common types of allergies include:
Many individual allergies fall within these broad categories. Allergy symptoms vary in severity from patient to patient, with reactions often producing a commonality of symptoms. At Fort Worth ENT, we offer multiple forms of allergy testing including:
- Skin prick testing
- Intradermal skin testing (ID)
- Patch testing
- Specific Immunoglobulin-E testing (sIgE)
- Nasal provocation testing
Respiratory Allergies
Respiratory allergies are caused by airborne allergens that are breathed in.
Common respiratory allergies are:
- Seasonal/hay fever (usually triggered by pollen)
- Mold
- Dust mites
- Pet dander
Most respiratory allergies cause the familiar allergy symptoms of:
- Sneezing
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Runny or congested nose
- Scratchy throat
- Postnasal drip
Hay Fever/Allergic Rhinitis
Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is the most common seasonal allergy, with over 25 million Americans suffering from pollen allergies – the main trigger for hay fever. Pollen is a granular powder that is released into the air as a fertilizer by trees, plants, weeds, and grasses. The national allergy bureau pollen and mold report and Pollen.com are excellent sources for a pollen count calendar.
For patients with a pollen allergy, breathing in the airborne substance causes the immune system to overreact, producing histamines and other chemicals that inflame the nasal passage lining and sinuses.
Allergic rhinitis/hay fever can be:
- Seasonal (occurring only at times of the year when specific plants or trees pollinate)
- Perennial (occurring year-round)
Spring allergies are typically caused by tree pollens, while weeds and grasses are the common culprits of summer allergies. Ragweed and fungus spores often trigger fall allergies. Many people (about 75%) who have spring allergies also suffer from ragweed allergies in the fall. Even patients who do not live in heavily pollinated areas can experience pollen allergies since it can travel several hundred miles with the wind.
Indoor Respiratory Allergies
Mold, dust mites, and pet dander can also contribute to allergic rhinitis. Mold is a fungus that thrives in damp spaces such as bathrooms and basements. Dust mites are common during humid times of the year, but can also be stirred up when the heat is initially turned on in the fall. Pet dander allergies are not actually a reaction to animal fur, but rather to a protein excreted by the pet.
Weather plays a factor in most respiratory allergies. Windy days blow more pollen into the air. Rain and humidity cause indoor and outdoor moisture which keeps pollen on the ground but allows mold to grow. Colder weather often keeps people inside where indoor allergens can become more bothersome.
While seasonal allergies cannot be cured, treatment of symptoms can bring much-needed relief. Ignoring allergy symptoms can result in painful sinusitis, nasal polyps, and/or ear infections. Many safe over-the-counter and prescription medications are available for temporary symptom relief.
Allergy medications include:
- Antihistamines: Available in several forms to block histamine production thus calming symptoms
- Nasal corticosteroids: Nose sprays which reduce swelling and open nasal passages
- Decongestants: Shrinks swollen nasal membranes, but should only be used for a limited time, as overuse can worsen allergy symptoms
- Mast cell stabilizers: Nose sprays or eye drops which block histamine production
Other Allergy Treatment Options
Allergy treatment options offered at Ft. Worth ENT may include medications, in-office procedures (such as balloon sinuplasty and Vivaer® Nasal Airway Remodeling), as well as non-invasive sinus surgery.
When possible, avoidance is one of the most effective treatment methods. Knowing what you are allergic to and making simple lifestyle changes can help control allergy symptoms and greatly improve quality of life. Avoidance, however, is not always practical, and in these cases, Ft. Worth ENT offers the full gamut of allergy treatment options.
Consult your Fort Worth allergy specialist before using any medication long-term or if you have questions regarding short-term allergy relief.
While avoiding outdoor allergens may seem like a daunting task, there are steps that you can take to limit the amount of pollen you are exposed to:
- Plan yard work around the weather. If pollen counts are especially high, or it is unusually windy, postpone for a day or two.
- Use a HEPA filter in your air conditioner to remove pollen. Keep windows closed during bothersome seasons.
- If spending time outside, shower and wash your hair before bed. Pollen can transfer to pillows and blankets and be breathed in all night.
- Wear sunglasses outside to keep pollen from the eyes. Hats or caps can also help keep pollen out of hair.
At Fort Worth ENT & Sinus Center, we offer a multidisciplinary approach to allergy treatment. If you are looking for an allergy specialist in Fort Worth, please complete an online appointment request or phone 817-332-8848.
