Ragweed Season Alert

RAGWEED SEASON IS HERE! If you are experiencing any of the allergy-related symptoms above, there is a good chance you are reacting to ragweed pollen. Like all allergies, ragweed allergy occurs when the body’s immune system vigorously responds to a foreign substance that is actually harmless- in this case, ragweed pollen. In theory, avoiding the pollen would stop the symptoms. This is easier said than done. Ragweed is the most common pollen in the Eastern US and Midwest, and can travel through the air up to 400 miles from where the plant is actually located. In other words, ragweed is everywhere!

Common Allergy Symptoms

Allergy-related symptoms come on very suddenly. Other indicators of allergies include sinus pressure, migraines, headaches, nasal congestion, sweats, loss of smell and taste, fatigue, irritability, and insomnia Some patients with allergies experience one or two of these symptoms, while some may experience all of them. Allergy testing is a diagnostic tool that is crucial to overall health and well-being.

Med One Allergy Testing Services

  • We test for the 48 most common allergens of North Carolina, including indoor and outdoor molds, dog, cat, and horse danders, dust mites, cockroaches, weeds, grasses, and tree pollens
  • No needles are involved- instead, a tiny comb is used to gently scratch the surface of the skin on your arms
  • Shows results in 15 minutes
  • Patients as young as 2 can be tested

Pet Allergies

DID YOU KNOW 15-30% of allergy sufferers are allergic to cats and/or dogs?? We can treat that!

Understanding Allergy-Induced Asthma

  • Asthma is a chronic (long-term) illness in which the airways become blocked or narrowed
  • Blocked/narrowed airways are usually temporary, but it does cause shortness of breath
  • Allergic asthma is the most common form of asthma, affecting over 50% of the
  • 20 million asthma sufferers
  • Allergic asthma attacks are triggered by inhaled allergens, such as dust mite, pet dander, pollen, and mold
  • Long term exposure to dust mites and mold can not only induce allergic reactions, but also cause the development of asthma
  • Adult onset asthma can develop at age 50, 60, or even later in life
  • Symptoms include wheezing, a dry cough (especially at night), increased mucous production, difficulty breathing, tightness or pressure in the chest, and cold that go to the chest or “hang on” for 10 days or more
  • Some individuals who had allergies as children or young adults without asthma symptoms develop asthma as older adults
  • Other individuals who are sensitized to everyday substances found in their homes or food suddenly begin to experience asthma symptoms
  • Women are more likely to develop asthma after age 20, and hormonal fluxuations during pregnancy or menopause play a key role
  • Obesity significantly increases the risk of developing asthma

Childhood Asthma

  • Allergies and asthma can be hereditary, so children whose parents or family members have one of these medical conditions are more likely to develop the condition as well
  • An average of 1 out of every 10 school-aged children has asthma
  • Asthma is the third ranking cause of hospitalization in children under 15
  • Over 2.5 million children suffer from allergic asthma
  • Exposure to second-hand smoke can cause asthma in pre-school age children
  • If left untreated, asthmatic children often have less stamina than other children, or avoid physical activities to prevent coughing or wheezing
  • Untreated asthmatic children may also complain that their chest hurts, they cannot catch their breath, or you may notice that colds go straight to their chest
  • Immunotherapy for children with allergy symptoms may stop the development of asthma later in life

Treatment Options for Allergy Symptoms

1. Avoidance Therapy

  • Revolves around the practice of simply avoiding allergens
  • Specific allergens that are irritants are identified with an allergy test
  • Proper avoidance can decrease symptoms by 50%
  • Incorporates a knowledge of tree, grass, and weed pollinating seasons, as well as helpful tips for pet dander, indoor/outdoor mold, and dust mite avoidance

2. Antihistamine Therapy

  • Long acting antihistamines can be obtained over the counter or by prescription
  • Offers temporary allergy symptom relief by masking the adverse effects
  • Medication is taken daily or as symptoms become present
  • Not targeted towards a person’s specific irritants; side effects are significant

3. Immunotherapy

  • Treatment involves administering increasingly higher doses of your allergens over time, building your immunity to them
  • Allergy shots have been proven effective for symptoms caused by grass, pollens, dust mites, pet dander, and molds
  • Clinical studies show that 85% of people who receive immunotherapy become symptom-free eventually
  • Injections stimulate a transformation in the body’s immune cells (T cells) from being promoters of allergic reaction to cells that counter the allergic process
  • Short-term benefits are typically seen after 3-6 months, and long-term benefits are typically seen after 3 years, at which time the injections are no longer needed for symptom relief
  • Currently, immunotherapy is the only treatment that has the potential to provide long-term prevention of allergic asthma or allergy symptoms

Sources

www.unitedbiologics.sharepoint.com www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160665.php www.unitedallergyservices.com www.epa.gov/asthma www.aafa.org aaaai.org