Author Archives: AllergyClinic

Understanding Fall Allergies

Allergies do not appear solely in the spring. The persistent sniffles, plugged nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing occur in the fall as well — and, according to allergy clinic experts, they’re becoming more widespread and intense.

How much do you know about fall allergies? Here’s what you need to know about the seasonal allergy surge and how to deal with it.

What causes fall allergies

Ragweed, a tall, willowy plant in urban and rural regions, is the most common cause of fall allergies.

This plant can produce one billion grains of pollen, which can irritate and inflame your sinuses. Ragweed blooms in August and normally peaks mid-September but might persist into November.

You will find ragweed in practically every state, although it grows in huge numbers on the East Coast and Midwest. Those who suffer from fall allergies might also blame mold for falling and decaying leaves, which can cause the same symptoms.

Many people don’t realize that allergy seasons have nearly doubled in length and intensity due to climate change. The increased CO2 emissions cause plants to produce more pollen, worsening allergies.

Furthermore, when temperatures remain higher for longer periods, and the first frost occurs later, plants such as ragweed have more opportunities to grow and emit allergens.

The urban heat island effect causes cities to have greater temperatures than suburban or rural locations. Densely packed buildings absorb and retain the sun’s heat, making it up to seven degrees hotter in urban areas during the day.

As a result, allergies tend to be more severe if you live in a city where higher temperatures allow ragweed to bloom for longer periods.

The difference between allergies, colds, and covid

Symptoms vary from person to person, but many people have the same allergy symptoms in the fall as in the spring. That means runny noses, sneezing, stuffiness, postnasal drip, and weariness all sound like cold symptoms and the prevalent version of Covid.

The only way to be sure you don’t have Covid is to take a test – but there are a few signs that can point you in the right direction. Viral illnesses emerge rapidly and then run their course, but allergies linger for four, six, or eight weeks at a time.

And, unlike colds, Covid, and the flu, allergies rarely induce fevers, body pains, or gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea.

Itchiness can indicate allergies, so watch for itchy, tingling ears, eyes, throats, and noses. Allergens in the fall can also create rashes similar to eczema.

Monitoring your allergy symptoms is critical, especially since allergens can provoke asthma attacks. Coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness are all indicators of asthma, especially if you wake up in the middle of the night with these symptoms.

If you feel winded, weary, or dizzy after light physical activity, such as housework, or if you cannot complete your typical exercise regimen, these could be symptoms of the condition.

How do you handle fall allergies?

Some simple habits help reduce the pollen you bring into your home. Close your windows as much as possible, especially on sunny, windy days with high pollen levels, and remove your shoes at the door.

When you go home, you should shower and change your clothes. HEPA air filters can aid in the cleaning of indoor air and the removal of mold and dander.

You should vacuum your home more frequently, especially if you have pets. You should vacuum it daily.

You should also clean your bedding regularly and keep your dogs out of your bedroom so they don’t track pollen onto your pillow.

Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your face from pollen outside. (Masks may also help to alleviate symptoms.)

Medications are also an important instrument to use in your defense. Fluticasone and triamcinolone are over-the-counter intranasal steroids that can help relieve sniffling and congestion; eye drops can wash away irritants and cure symptoms like itchy, red, and watery eyes.

These focused therapies are more effective than oral antihistamines, however, oral antihistamine tablets can also relieve symptoms, including itching, sneezing, and runny nose. You should note that some antihistamines, such as Benadryl, may cause drowsiness when using the medications.

You also should avoid decongestants such as Afrin or Sudafed as they might have a “rebound effect” – after taking them for an extended length of time, blood vessels in your nose do not respond as well, resulting in even more congestion.

If you don’t want to take medicine, nasal irrigators like Neti pots can clear pollen from your sinuses but won’t treat the allergy.

You should consult an allergy doctor if your problems interfere with your daily life.

You should see a board-certified allergist who can perform allergy testing and evaluation, such as a skin-prick exam or blood test, to determine which types of pollen cause your allergies.

Immunotherapy in the form of allergy injections containing quantities of the allergens to which you are allergic may be recommended by your doctor for longer-term relief.

Sublingual immunotherapy, a tablet or wafer that melts under your tongue and battles ragweed, dust mites, and northern pasture grasses like Timothy, is another option for those who do not want to receive shots.

You can use the wafer before allergy season by taking it once daily.

Both types of immunotherapy increase a patient’s tolerance to the allergy, reducing symptoms and ensuring that they are healthy throughout the season.

There you have it.

This is what you need to know about fall allergies. As you can see, there is nothing magical about it. Like the other types of seasonal allergies, you can prevent them from coming about.

If you have done everything in your control and still can’t prevent them from coming about, consider seeing an experienced allergy specialist Manassas VA for expert advice.

Tips to Beat Indoor Allergies

Those suffering from allergies frequently seek refuge inside their houses. Unfortunately, the place isn’t safe as sometimes they bring the allergens inside, sometimes even making the allergies worse, and you have to visit an allergy clinic.

Thankfully, you can eliminate indoor allergies and breathe easier in your house with thoughtful tweaks and methods.

We’ve compiled a list of strategies and items that you can use to make your life at home more joyful and allergen-free. Here they are:

Keep windows and doors closed to keep pollen out.

Closing and sealing doors and windows is the first major step in preventing outdoor allergens from entering your home.

You should keep all windows and exterior doors closed, especially during peak pollen times, such as early mornings and late afternoons.

You also should consider installing pollen-blocking window filters or screens in your windows. These can help keep pollen particles out of your home while allowing enough air circulation.

It’s also wise to consider sealing gaps around doors and windows with weatherstripping or door sweeps. This will help in the formation of a barrier against pollen infiltration.

Besides keeping your doors and windows closed all the time, you should limit your time outside, especially on windy days or when pollen concentrations are high. This decreases the pollen that may adhere to your clothing and carry inside.

As you come outside, remove any outer clothing and shoes that have come into contact with pollen. This will assist in keeping pollen from spreading throughout your home.

Invest in an air purifier.

Using an air purifier reduces allergy and asthma symptoms. It’s a little but powerful device that can help eliminate indoor allergies caused by everything from cooking smoke to outdoor contaminants that enter through windows.

Look for an air purifier with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. HEPA filters are designed to catch airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns in size, including pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores.

To keep the model running properly, double-check the square footage it can handle and clean or change the filter as advised.

You should install the air purifier in the room where you spend most of your time, such as your bedroom or living room. Place it in an area providing maximum air circulation and distribution.

It is wise to operate the air purifier continuously or at least when you are present in the room to maintain clean air. This guarantees that the air is constantly filtered and allergens are removed.

You should replace your filters regularly to keep the air inside. When doing the filter change, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Depending on usage and local air quality, you should update the filters every 6 to 12 months.

While an air purifier can help remove allergens from the air, keeping your living space clean is crucial. Dust surfaces, vacuum carpets, and wash bedding regularly to reduce allergy collection.

Keep pets out of the bedroom.

We all adore our four-legged family members, but pet fur and dander can aggravate allergy symptoms. Make sure to groom your pet regularly, and keep the door to your bedroom closed. This reduces the number of allergens you’ll be exposed to, especially while sleeping.

If your pet is accustomed to sleeping in your bedroom, provide them a nice alternate sleeping spot somewhere in the house. Provide a nice bed or crate in another room to ensure their comfort.

Positive reinforcement and deterrents can also be effective in training pets to avoid certain regions. To dissuade your pet from entering the bedroom, use pet gates, fragrant deterrent sprays, or noise-making devices near the door.

Brushing and bathing your pet regularly can help minimize the stray hair and dander they shed. This reduces the allergy burden in your entire house.

Keep your house clean.

By keeping the house clean, you get rid of most of the allergens. Vacuum your carpets at least once or twice a week; you should do it more frequently if you have pets.

Carpets can trap allergies and create irritation, so vacuuming regularly keeps allergens at bay.

As a rule of thumb, you should wear a face mask when vacuuming to avoid inhaling all the dust that will float around.

For the best outcome, use a high-quality vacuum with a HEPA filter. HEPA filters catch microscopic particles, including allergens, and prevent them from recirculating in the air.

You also should make it a habit to dust the surfaces regularly with a moist cloth or an electrostatic duster. This aids in trapping and removing allergen-containing dust particles such as pollen, pet dander, and dust mites.

When it comes to the floors, clean them with a moist mop or microfiber cloth, which helps to trap and remove allergens effectively. Avoid dry methods, such as sweeping, as they stir up allergens in the air.

When it comes to bedding, to get rid of dust mites and related allergies, wash the sheets, pillowcases, and blankets regularly in hot water. To further protect against dust mites, consider utilizing allergen-proof covers for mattresses, pillows, and duvets.

You should also regularly clean your drapes and blinds to remove dust and allergens. When purchasing, choose washable drapes that you can easily clean regularly.

Use a Neti pot

One final and highly effective way to alleviate your indoor allergies is to use a Neti Pot to keep your sinuses free. This ancient and doctor-recommended medicinal practice is a simple and effective approach to keeping your nasal passageways clean of trapped allergens and a powerful strategy to decrease disease.

Clean out your nasal sinus passages with specific saline packets and distilled water for the best outcome. It may initially feel strange, but it improves your thinking and breathing.

If this is your first time trying, consult your allergy doctor Manassas VA on how to use it properly.

7 Ways to Improve your Immune System and Fight Allergies

Pollution, smog, pollen, dust, and other environmental variables contribute to allergies and you have to find an allergy specialist constantly. Every person, regardless of immunity, is vulnerable to these environmental variables. Without a doubt, the quickest solution is to take an anti-allergy tablet. However, this only fixes the problem momentarily.

To prevent allergies from coming about, you should build a stronger immune system. There are plenty of ways you can improve your immune system. These ways include:

Improve the health of your liver.

A sluggish liver is linked to our susceptibility to seasonal allergies because the body cannot adequately rid itself of pollutants. Toxins overstimulate our immune system, cause inflammatory responses, and cause histamine production.

Among the many lifestyle adjustments you can make, one that works well is taking 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice each on an empty stomach early in the morning for three days. Consuming apple cider vinegar 30 minutes before meals can also help to boost liver health.

Drinking enough water supports the liver’s normal function by assisting in the removal of toxins from the body. Aim to consume 8 cups (64 ounces) of water per day.

Besides making you feel and look good, regular exercise improves liver function by increasing blood flow and decreasing fatty deposits. Try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week.

You should reduce exposure to environmental pollutants and chemicals, including cleaning supplies, insecticides, and solvents. Use sufficient ventilation when working with such compounds and observe all safety precautions, such as wearing gloves and masks.

Eat Quercetin-rich foods.

Quercetin is a flavonoid found in plants that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. According to research, eating foods high in quercetin stimulates the body’s anti-allergic immunological response.

The simplest approach to get quercetin is to add a few slices of raw onion to your meals. If you are allergic to onions or avoid them for religious reasons, substitute apples, grapes, crucifers, citrus fruits, or berries, which are also high in quercetin.

As much as quercetin benefits the body, remember that it is more effective when used as part of a healthy diet than as a standalone supplement.

Aim for variety in your meal choices to receive a wide range of nutrients, including quercetin. If you have any special dietary problems or medical conditions, it is preferable to seek personalized guidance from a healthcare expert or certified dietitian.

Get rid of excess mucus.

Mucus, in the proper amount, has a protective effect on the body. It aids in trapping dirt, allergies, and pollutants, but too much of it can act as a breeding ground for infections, which thrive in wet settings.

As a result, it is critical to include substances that can assist in removing extra mucus and decongest your lungs.

Tea made with herbs and spices such as thyme, cardamom, licorice, and oregano helps to loosen mucus. Bromelain, which is contained in pineapples, also acts as a decongestant.

You can also undertake nasal irrigation, also known as Jal neti, is an ancient yogic kriya and is highly effective for releasing and draining excess mucus and cleansing the respiratory passages.

Eat honey infused with garlic.

Both honey and garlic have excellent immune-boosting characteristics, and the combination of the two can result in a super-effective immunity-boosting cure for people of all ages. The right way to consume them is to take 10 to 12 garlic cloves.

Crush them to release the active component of allicin. Combine it with unpasteurized organic honey in a container and allow it to settle for three days.

Consume 2 to 3 tablespoons of this paste daily for the best outcome. It is beneficial for improving liver function and fighting seasonal allergies.

Use castor oil

Ricinoleic acid is a substance found in pure castor oil. Numerous scientific research studies suggest that using it externally boosts T-lymphocyte generation and activity, strengthening the immune system.

Lymphocytes, commonly known as white blood cells, play an important part in the body’s identification, killing, and removal of bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Castor oil packs, when applied to the belly, stimulate Peyer’s patch function. These small intestine lymph nodes are crucial in immunity, digestion, and detoxification.

For the best outcome, use 100% pure, cold-pressed castor oil. Apply a drop or two of castor oil to a clean fingertip and gently massage it around your belly. You should always avoid direct contact with the eyes as it can cause some discomfort.

Reduce pollen exposure

The best way to minimize seasonal allergies is to avoid pollen exposure indoors. This is not a simple task, but it is doable. Because pollen counts are highest in the mornings, it is best to keep windows and doors closed now. You should also avoid driving with your windows down. When you’re not at home, try wearing a mask.

You should check the pollen forecasts in your area frequently to be aware of high pollen days and alter your plans accordingly.

Pets can bring pollen into your home, so after they’ve been outside, wipe their paws or give them a brief bath to reduce pollen transfer.

Understand your allergy symptoms.

If you’ve had allergies your entire life, pay attention to the symptoms your body exhibits. Common allergy symptoms include runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, sneezing, headaches, scratchy throat, exhaustion, etc. When you encounter one of them, take the required steps to prevent exacerbating the issue.

For example, depending on the severity of your symptoms, you can take over-the-counter drugs to assist. You can take antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, and eye drops.

Always follow the instructions and guidelines provided, and if you have any doubts, see a pharmacist.

If your symptoms persist, worsen, or have a substantial impact on your everyday life, you should find allergy doctor Germantown MD who will provide a proper diagnosis, recommend the right therapies, or request specialized tests that will help you understand your condition better.

When working with the allergist, ensure they are experienced and know what they are doing. You don’t want someone who makes the situation worse than it is.

Tips to Handle a Harsh Allergy Season

If you suffer from allergies and the allergy season is coming, you can do several things to make the season more forgiving.

Buy medication

If you suspect that your symptoms may worsen, your usual medications may not work either, so you may need to try new ones or combine them to find relief.

Several over-the-counter and prescription treatments are available to alleviate allergy symptoms. Many doctors recommend nasal steroid sprays like Nasonex (with a prescription) or Flonase as the first line of treatment.

While they are good, they may take several days or weeks to relieve stuffiness and sneezing, so it is best to use them early in the season before your symptoms worsen.

Antihistamines, whether sprays like Astelin, tablets like Allegra, Claritin, or Zyrtec, or eye drops like Optivar, are other options as they have a more rapid effect.

Decongestants such as Afrin or Sinex come in handy. Don’t rush to use them, even if you can access them, as they can have a rebound effect.

After a few days, the blood vessels in your nose become less receptive to the drug, and you may experience severe congestion again. Limit these medications to no more than three days in a row.

If you have already tried numerous over-the-counter allergy medications, and none gives you your desired results, consult your allergy doctor about prescription choices. The allergy specialist will help you plan ahead of time for your unique allergies so you are safe when the allergy season kicks in.

Wash your sinuses

If you don’t want to take medications, consider nasal irrigation. The technique dates back thousands of years, and its efficacy is supported by plenty of studies.

You need to pour a saline solution into one nostril using a neti pot, bulb syringe, or squeeze bottle and let it drain out the other.

The procedure is simple but helps flush out pollen, mucus, and other allergens in your nasal cavity. As a result, you may feel less congested and use less allergy medicine if you have to.

Plan your outdoor time accordingly.

Many well-known weather apps and websites offer “allergy forecasts” or pollen counts. The National Allergy Bureau website lists more than 80 stations around the United States that provide more specific daily pollen reports depending on different plant types.

You can choose the station closest to you and receive notifications for your pollen allergy.

Pollen counts are often highest between early morning and midmorning and on hot, dry, windy days. You can limit the quantity of pollen you come into contact with if you exercise indoors during certain times or run errands later in the evening.

If you are prone to allergy symptoms and need to go out in the morning or do yardwork, don a high-quality N95 mask, which you may already have for coronavirus protection. This will aid in pollen removal.

Reduce the pollen in your home.

Avoid bringing pollen back inside after being outside. When you arrive home, take your shoes off and change your clothes. Shower before bed to eliminate pollen from your skin.

As much as you love them, avoid sleeping with your dogs. Even if you aren’t allergic to your pets, pollen is on their coats, which might cause you to react.

To improve your sleep, try zipping up your mattress and pillows in hypoallergenic encasements, washing bedding once a week in hot soapy water, and using a dryer instead of a clothesline.

You also should make it a habit of cleaning and replacing your air conditioner filter with one with a MERV of 11 or higher.

These filters can capture small pollen particles. If you suffer from severe allergies, consider investing in a professional-style HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter for your bedroom.

HEPA filters with a MERV value of 17 or higher often remove 99 percent of pollen, animal dander, dust, and other particles, leaving your house’s insides safe and allergen-free.

You also should try to close your windows and use an air conditioner. If, on the other hand, you are allergic to indoor allergens such as mold and dust, open the windows and allow in fresh air to help eliminate allergens from your home.

Try immunotherapy

If allergies interfere with your daily life, you should speak with your doctor about immunotherapy for long-term relief.

After a skin prick test or blood test confirms which pollen you are allergic to, your doctor may offer subcutaneous allergy immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots.

This entails a series of injections every week or month, including trace amounts of the pollen to which you are allergic. The dose progressively increases, making your immune system less sensitive to the allergen.

The Food and Drug Administration has begun to approve another type of immunotherapy known as sublingual immunotherapy.

Here tiny amounts of pollen are delivered in tablet form, and you place them under the tongue for one to two minutes before ingesting them. While studies are still ongoing, the only medications that are now approved are for allergies to dust mites, ragweed, and northern pasture grasses. At the same time, other tablets are being examined in clinical trials.

Patience is required for both types of immunotherapy. In most cases, symptom relief could take six months to a year. However, you may need to continue the medication for up to five years before your body can reliably ignore your triggers.

Immunotherapy may be great when it works. If you have been suffering from yearly stuffy noses and itchy eyes and are after successful treatment, you should find an experienced allergy specialist to guide you.

Parting shot

These are some of the ways you can deal with seasonal allergies. To have an easy time treating the condition, don’t ignore the condition regardless of how minor the symptoms appear.

You should listen to your body and rest, go to bed early, or take a sick day. Excessive activity and running around when sick can only make you feel worse.

You also should consider visiting an allergy specialist Manassas for treatment.

Understanding Asthma Allergy

While asthma is a common illness, persistent asthmatic symptoms indicate underlying issues. If you live in an unsanitary environment or have immunological concerns, see your allergy doctor immediately for a rapid diagnosis of recurring asthmatic allergic onsets.

Asthma attacks frequently trigger allergies, leading to nasopharyngeal choking, fast inflammation, and severe breathing problems.

While these attacks can also occur due to brief interaction with suspected allergens or the consumption of restricted foods, asthmatic allergic reactions pose substantial hazards.

How does asthma trigger allergies?

When your bronchioles detect prospective allergens, asthma attacks begin. It results in a frenzied reaction that interferes with your natural respiration.

The reaction often triggers a coping mechanism. When your IgE attaches to these foreign antigens, your allergies worsen. As a result, bronchial irritation and blockage occur.

Because of a hypersensitive immune system, such reactions are frequently immunological.

Asthma flare-ups can also cause allergic reactions if you breathe in potentially allergenic air. Furthermore, long-term exposure to cigarette smoke, pollution, and work dangers makes you prone to recurring asthmatic allergic reactions.

Common allergens that can cause allergic asthma

You can find allergens everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. Some of the common allergens include:

Dander: These are microscopic flakes of dead skin cells shed by animals, most notably cats, dogs, and birds. When an animal sheds or grooms itself, these flakes can be found in its fur or feathers and spread throughout the living environment.

Dander can cause an allergic reaction when inhaled or comes into touch with the skin, making it a common allergen for some people. Sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and skin rash are all dander allergy symptoms.

Regular cleaning, air filtration, and grooming can help reduce dander in the home and prevent allergic symptoms.

Mold: Typically found in moist areas (basements), mold creates spores that enter the air and can aggravate your asthma.

House dust mites: Dust mites resemble spiders and reside on your home’s soft surfaces (carpets, furniture covers, and clothes).

Cockroaches: These pests can be found in various dwellings, and their feces, saliva, and other body parts may cause your asthma to flare up.

Seasonal allergies. These affect some people and appear at certain times of the year. Because of the blossoming of numerous plants, this is frequently associated with spring. More pollen is in the air during this time of year than in other seasons (fall or winter).

Allergic asthma symptoms

Many symptoms associated with other types of asthma may occur if you have allergic asthma. Among these signs are:

Feeling out of breath.
Coughing a lot, especially at night.
Wheezing (a whistling sound made while breathing).
Feeling tight in the chest (as if something is crushing or squeezing your chest).

During an asthma episode, these symptoms can be severe. If you have severe asthma symptoms, ensure you have a treatment plan, including an asthma inhaler.

You may also feel symptoms similar to allergies. These are typically milder than asthma symptoms and can occur when exposed to an allergen. Among these signs are:

A congested nose.
Itchy or watery eyes.
Sneezing.
A rash with hives.

How to diagnose allergic asthma

Your healthcare provider can perform a variety of tests to identify allergic asthma. The healthcare provider will most likely undertake a blood or skin test.

Your provider will search for the influence of allergens on your body during these examinations. Possible allergens may be put on small areas of your skin for a skin test to evaluate how you react to each one. This is unpleasant, but it will show your provider what is causing the reaction.

The healthcare provider can also do other tests to ensure that your symptoms are caused by asthma, not another medical condition.

Most of the common asthma diagnostic tests that the healthcare provider can undertake include:

Spirometry: This breathing test involves inhaling deeply and then expelling into a tube. This tube is linked to a computer, which collects data on how well the air travels when you breathe in and out.

Spirometry can also be performed while using a bronchodilator. This test variation assesses how well your airways relax before and after medication administration. During the test, you must exhale as strongly and quickly as possible into the tube.

Bronchoprovocation test: It is similar to allergy testing on your skin in that your physician will introduce potential allergens to determine the source of the problem.

The test is done in a controlled environment, and minimal samples are used to avoid a large, lethal reaction.

Exhaled nitric oxide test (FeNO test): Your healthcare provider measures the amount of nitric oxide in your breath when you exhale. While the test can be administered in any situation, it’s best suited for milder situations of allergic asthma when you do not experience severe symptoms. This is because the highly sensitive test will pick up even small amounts of nitric oxide.

When you have allergic asthma, whatever you breathe in usually causes your symptoms. Identifying the allergen that caused your symptoms is another step in the allergic asthma diagnosis procedure.

To make it easy for your allergist Manassas VA, keep a notebook or take notes about what happened when you had asthma symptoms.

It could be a pollen allergy if you were outside near recently cut grass. It might be a pet dander if you were caressing a dog.

Knowing what you inhaled when your symptoms first appeared will assist your provider in developing a plan to control your allergic asthma.

How to manage allergic asthma

To decrease and avoid further worsening of the symptoms, asthma allergy treatment must include therapeutic and preventive measures.

It involves defense against allergens and contaminants that can aggravate your pulmonary system.

Your doctor uses antihistamines and leukotriene modifiers to treat asthmatic allergic responses. The purpose of the medication is to prevent the immune system from flooding your body with histamines when it detects foreign antigens, which is common among asthma patients who live in polluted environments.

Immunotherapy lowers your hypersensitive IgE complex, which causes allergic reactions when foreign antigens enter your body. It’s not about decreasing your defenses but temporarily lowering them to aid recovery from asthmatic allergic reactions.

Do I Need a Referral to See an Allergist?

When you are exploring allergy treatment options and using your insurance to pay for it, there is always the question, do I need a referral to see an allergist?

The answer to this question lies with your insurance company. Some insurance companies will require your primary care doctor to refer an allergy doctor, while others won’t need it—you can simply find your allergy specialist, and the insurance company will pay for it.

To avoid complications, later on, call the insurance company and ask about it. If your insurance plan requires you to get a referral, ask your primary care doctor to submit onel to the insurance company or the new doctor.

It’s after the doctor sends a referral and/or is approved by the insurance company that you can now see your new allergy specialist, and your treatment will be covered as per your insurance plan.

How do you see the new allergist?

After getting a referral, you should now begin the process of seeing the specialist. Begin with making an appointment by calling the office or filling an online form. Different doctors have different requirements for making appointments. Some will require you to make specific paperwork requests, while others won’t.

If there are chances that you will be tested for allergies, the doctor might ask you to refrain from eating or drinking anything for at least a day.

After getting an appointment, head to the doctor’s office on the agreed day. If the doctor was referred to you, chances are high they already have your medical records that they got from your primary care doctor.

Even if the doctor has your medical records, carry yours, such as your family medical history that the doctor might not have.

During the meeting, expect plenty of questions from the doctor. The questions are meant to help the doctor understand your condition better.

To get the most from the meeting, come prepared with your set of questions. Some of the best questions to ask include:

What can I expect from the test?
What can I expect from the treatment?
Is there anything I can change in my lifestyle or environment to prevent the allergy symptoms from coming about?
What tests are available to determine what is causing my allergic reaction?
Are there side effects to the medications?
It’s common for the allergy doctor to examine your lungs, throat, skin, and nose to determine your condition.

If the doctor diagnoses you with food allergies or airborne allergies, they most likely will run tests to determine the type of allergies you have.

It’s after the tests that the doctor will recommend treatment options, which might include:

Allergy shots
Prescription medications
Avoiding allergy triggers. For example, if you are allergic to pollen, you should stay indoors to avoid them.
Lifestyle changes such as avoiding foods that you might be allergic to. If you are allergic to nuts, the doctor might recommend you stay away from them.

How do you get the most from the allergist’s visit?

Obviously, you should ask as many questions as possible so that you can understand your condition better.

The other thing you should do is to follow the guidelines given by the allergy specialist Germantown MD. The last thing you should do is to spend a lot of money on the allergist then you don’t follow their expert tips. When they prescribe medication, take it as per the recommendation.

Finally, be your doctor. After all, you know your body better than anyone. If you take the medication and don’t see any meaningful progress, don’t sit back and wait for things to get better—get in touch with your allergist and schedule another meeting.

What Are The Symptoms Of Tree Pollen Allergies?

According to an allergist specialist, tree pollen allergies are one of the most popular allergies in spring. Like grass and weed pollen, tree pollens travel on the wind, so the allergies might be due to trees miles away.

Hundreds of trees release pollen that can trigger allergic reactions. These trees include: Cedar, oak, elm, olive, maple, cottonwood, hickory, box elder, walnut, cypress, pecan, mulberry, etc.

What are the symptoms of tree pollen allergies?

When you are exposed to tree pollen, you can show a wide range of symptoms that include:

Watery eyes
Watery, runny nose
Sneezing
Nasal congestion
Headaches
Itchy eyes
Reduced sense of smell
Tiredness
Disrupted sleep
Irritability
Earache

Tree pollen allergies and asthma

Exposure to pollen has also been shown to increase the risk of an asthmatic attack. For those who have asthma, the release of histamine when exposed to pollen increases the asthma symptoms.

If you have asthma, always ensure that you have the asthma medication at all times during the high pollen seasons.

Besides taking the asthma medications, ensure that you take hay fever medication, including anti-inflammatory eye drops, nasal steroids, and antihistamines to ease the symptoms.

What can worsen the tree allergy symptoms?

Although tree pollen allergies are dangerous if you suffer from allergies, some factors worsen the allergies. These factors include:

Wind

Wind worsens the allergy symptoms as it picks up the dry pollen and sends it into the air. When it’s cold, damp, or rainy, the pollen counts are usually lower, but the pollen count goes up when it gets windy, which significantly worsens your situation.

Having trigger trees in your yard

Although the wind can carry the tree pollen from miles away, having the trigger trees close to your home can significantly worsen your situation. When you have oak, maple, cypress, and other allergy trigger trees in your yard, you are 10 times more likely to suffer from tree pollen allergies than if you had no trees close to your home.

If you have noticed a trend of suffering from allergies every time you are close to spring, consider replacing the allergy-causing trees with those less likely to cause allergies. These include: pine, dogwood, apple, fir, and cherry.

Certain fruits and vegetables

Studies show that if you are allergic to certain trees, you have a high risk of developing allergic reactions from cross-reactive foods. For example, if you are allergic to birch trees, you can develop some swelling or itchiness in your mouth or around your face when eating carrots, cherries, almonds, kiwi, plums, hazelnuts, coriander, and fennel.

If you have noticed that you develop allergies when eating certain fruits, talk to your allergy doctor and have them test you for tree pollen allergies.

How do you manage tree pollen allergy?

The best way to manage the allergies is to stay away from the triggers. This calls for you to stay away from the triggering trees. Some of the excellent tricks to avoid allergies include:

Staying indoors on dry, windy days

Instead of doing the gardening work on your own, hire someone to do it for you. If you don’t have money to hire someone, avoid gardening during the peak pollen season.

When you are in the house, keep the windows and doors closed at all times. This is to ensure that no pollen gets into the house, even if it’s windy.

If you have tried the preventative measures and still develop the symptoms, find an allergy doctor Germantown MD to give you some medication to ease the symptoms. The doctor will undertake a series of tests and recommend the best prescription for your condition.

Who Should See An Allergist?

If you are wondering who should see an allergist, anyone suffering from allergies should see one. An allergist is a professional that specializes in treating allergic conditions, and when you visit him, they will tell you what you are allergic to and how to avoid the triggers.

Some of the telltale signs that it’s time to see an allergist include:

You have obvious allergy symptoms such as a stuffy nose, watery eyes, and cough that have been around for more than 3 months and are making it hard for you to work or sleep.
You have tried a couple of over-the-counter medications, and none seems to work.
You frequently get plenty of headaches, sinus infections, ear infections, and a stuffy nose.
You snore or have trouble staying asleep.
You have other underlying health problems such as thyroid disease, heart disease, glaucoma, diabetes, enlarged prostate, kidney disease, liver disease, high blood pressure, etc.

What will the allergist do when you see them?

There are plenty of things the allergist will do. The common ones being:

Confirm that you are suffering from allergies

Even if you show all the allergy symptoms, only a doctor will confirm that you are truly suffering from allergies. The doctor will undertake a battery of tests and zero in on the actual allergy that you have.

You should note that sometimes you show allergy signs, yet you are having an infection. The allergy doctor will help clarify this after doing the tests.

Identify the triggers and advice you on what to do

After doing the allergy tests, the doctor will know the exact allergy you are suffering from and the things triggering the reaction. For example, if you are suffering from food allergies, the allergies might be triggered by nuts, milk, and other products. The doctor will help you determine the triggers.

Help come up with a treatment plan.

Knowing the allergy and triggers isn’t enough if you can’t treat it. The allergy doctor will help come up with a treatment plan to help you know what you need to do. The plan includes the kind of medicine to take and when to take it, ways to avoid the allergy triggers, and how to prepare for any serious reaction that might come about.

Different areas have different medications. The doctor will find out the available medications and advise you on the right ones to take.

What should you look for in an allergist?

While there are many allergists you can go to, not all are qualified to test and help you come with a treatment plan—you need to be cautious and ensure that you hire the right one.

One of the things to consider is the qualifications of the doctor. Has the doctor gone to school and got the relevant qualifications? You need to know about this.

You also need to consider whether the doctor is authorized by the relevant regulatory bodies to practice medicine in your local area. Finally, confirm the doctor’s experience. How long has the doctor been practicing? You need a professional that has been around for a long time.

When you find an ideal allergy specialist Manassas VA, ask as many questions as possible while in their office. The purpose of doing this is to gauge the doctor’s knowledge and understand your condition better. Some of the questions to ask include:

What are the reasons for my allergies?
Should I stop being outdoors?
Do I need to change my diet plan?
Will I need allergy shots?
How often should I take the medications?
How often should I come to the clinic for follow-up appointments?

Can Allergies Cause Headaches?

If you are wondering, can allergies cause headaches? Yes, they can. The headache symptoms include throbbing pain, nausea, and localized pain in areas such as the sinus and the face. In some cases, you have a throbbing or stabbing on one side of the head. In rare cases, you will have nausea.

The symptoms are usually worse when exposed to bright light.

Which allergies cause headaches?

According to an allergy specialist doctor, the headaches can be brought about by plenty of allergies, with the common ones being:

Allergic rhinitis: Also known as hay fever, allergic rhinitis is one of the leading causes of seasonal and indoor nasal allergies. The headache often comes about as a result of a blockage in the sinuses.

Food allergies: There is a direct relationship between food and headaches. When you take certain foods such as chocolate, artificial sweeteners, and aged cheese, they will mess with your stomach, which will, in turn, trigger a migraine in some people.

Experts believe that the headache is often due to the chemical in the food that triggers the pain and messes up the stomach.

Histamine: The body produces histamines in response to an allergic reaction. As they are fighting the allergens, the histamines decrease the blood pressure, which has been shown to lead to headaches.

What is the treatment for the headache?

Prevention is always better than cure, so before we even get to know the treatment of the condition, you must prevent it from coming about in the first place. If you know your allergy triggers, you should stay away from them. For example, if you are allergic to a certain food, stay away from it.

The same thing applies if you are allergic to pollen or any other material. Besides staying indoors when the pollen count is high, other things you can do to avoid headaches due to seasonal allergies include:

Install a dehumidifier
Keep the furnace filter clean
Vacuum and dust the house regularly
Remove the carpet from the living space
Wash as soon as you are back from the outside

Take allergy medications

If it’s too late to prevent coming into contact with the allergen, you should try controlling the condition. How do you do it?

Use antihistamines: From their name, antihistamines stop histamine production, a chemical produced by the body upon contact with an allergen. The antihistamines lessen the allergy symptoms.

Use decongestants: There are plenty of decongestants you can use to open up your stuffy nasal passages and ease the sinus pressure. When taking the decongestants, avoid steroid nasal sprays as they have been shown to worsen headaches.

Try allergy shots: Here, you will need to visit an allergy clinic and have allergy shots administered to you. The shots have been shown to cut back the headaches, and they become less severe.

What else should you do?

Besides the above, drink plenty of fluids that will keep the mucus thin. Water is the best fruit to take, but you can also take green tea that not only thins out the mucus but also contains natural antihistamines, which comes in handy at fighting allergy symptoms.

You also should rinse out the nasal passages to remove the allergens from the nose while cleaning the nasal lining.

When should you see a doctor?

Although most allergy headaches go away, sometimes they are too severe, and you have to see an allergy doctor Manassas VA. You should see a doctor if the headache is preventing you from going on with your regular life. Is the headache so severe that you can’t go to work or do any other thing? It’s time to see a specialist.

How to Help Allergies without Medicine

When you are suffering from seasonal allergies and other forms of allergies, it’s recommended that you visit an allergist and get some medication.

This is good, but there is one problem. What if you don’t like visiting a doctor or are in an area far away from a doctor? Does it mean you are doomed? Not at all. To help you out here is how to help allergies without medicine:

Take essential oils

Essential oils such as eucalyptus and peppermint oils are highly effective at relieving hay fever and associated symptoms. For the best outcome, use them in a room diffuser or combine them with coconut oil and massage them into your temples.

You can also use tree and lemon oils where you mix them with purified water, and a little vinegar, then spray them around your home. Inhaling these fumes relieves the symptoms.

Take vitamin C

Vitamin C is a known natural antihistamine, so it reduces the amount of histamine that your body produces in response to an allergen. When taken correctly, vitamin C is highly effective at reducing common allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and watery eyes.

While vitamin C might seem harmless, taking high doses of it can be lethal. To avoid the side effects that come with it, take a dose of 2,000 milligrams per day.

Use Himalaya salt lamps.

These salts effectively remove dust, dander, and other particles from the air, leaving you with less allergy and significantly reducing the coughing.

Try probiotics

Probiotics contain beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium longum that regulate the t-cells that produce a stronger immune response to the common allergens. Different probiotics work differently in different people, so you should research and find the ones that work the best on you.

Undertake saline nasal irrigation

A nasal rinse clears the mucus from your nose, and this significantly eases the allergy symptoms. When done right, the nasal rinse not only reduces the nasal drip, but also washes out the bacteria and other allergens you might have inhaled.

Stay away from beef

Studies show that people who take plenty of beef and dairy have high concentrations of trans oleic acid in their bodies, increasing their chances of developing hay fever symptoms. To fight off allergies during the allergy season, stay away from beef and dairy. Instead, take chicken and other meats that contain lower Trans oleic acids.

Take plenty of water.

Water, sugar-free juice, and other nonalcoholic beverages thin the mucus in your nasal passages, which comes in handy for allergy relief. Other drinks you can take to bring the condition under control include: warm tea, broth, and soup.

Inhale some steam

Inhaling steam eases a stubborn, stuffy nose, and you breathe easier. You don’t need to be fancy about how you go about it. Hold your head over a warm bowl or sink full of water, then place a towel over your head to trap the steam.

If this is too much trouble, turn on the water in the shower and stay there for a few minutes as you take a few deep breaths.

Wear a mask

The mask has become a commonplace with the covid-19 pandemic, but it has been a highly effective device for protecting you from developing allergy symptoms. The mask not only protects others from your cold and flu symptoms, but it also protects you from inhaling the allergens, so you don’t develop allergy symptoms. For the best results, allergy specialist doctor Manassas VA recommends you get an N95 mask.