Be sure to always check out at the front desk once you finish your appointment.  This is important to be sure we provide the best service and follow up options.  In addition, this is a great time to share any questions you may have regarding your appointment.  

With this newsletter I've tried to clear some myths as well as add some tips in the management of spring allergy. When you look at the map you will notice geographically that the highest spring allergy areas are clustered together. And that our town isn't far (enough) away.

The Top 5 cities for spring allergy or 2011 as complied by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation

1. Knoxville, TN
2. Louisville, KY
3. Charlotte, NC
4. Jackson, MS
5. Chattanooga, TN

Dallas ranks 35

While we still are in the midst of spring and tree pollens are " up in the air",  I thought I would reiterate a few measures that will help improve your quality of life.

10 Tips to avoid outdoor pollens

Each year pollen sufferers are exposed to millions of pollens when they are out and about. The early hours are the worst when plants release pollens and the wind carries it for several miles. Although avoidance is the best treatment for pollens, this is not practical for a lot of people. Along with taking medications and receiving allergy "shots", here are some tips to cope with the outdoors during allergy seasons (trees in spring, grasses in the summer and weeds in the fall with some overlap in the changing seasons)

1) Keeping windows closed at home or while driving in a car with air conditioning running will help keep pollens from getting in. The addition of a filter in the car air conditioning can help with further trapping pollen. Window air filters also help prevent pollen from getting into the house.

2) Washing pets weekly and using pet wipes helps remove pollens and dander that collects in the fur

3) Don't forget to shower after an extended period outdoors. This helps washing of pollen that sticks to you. Wash your clothes and further get rid of pollens.

4) Wipe your feet on a mat previous to entering the house.

5) Don't hang your laundry outside to dry. Pollens stick to clothes and can trigger allergy symptoms when worn.

6) Don't forget to take your allergy medication at least an hour before going outdoors

7 ) Check the pollen count in your area as a guide to recognize if you should stay indoor that day. The National Allergy agency is a good place to check pollen (and mold spore) counts.

According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, ragweed pollen peaks from around noon to early afternoon while most trees and grass pollens peak in the early hours of the morning. Tailoring outdoor activity based on the pollens can help significantly reduce grief from pollen exposure.

9) Don't use an attic fan throughout pollen season. It will suck pollen inside the house.

10) Avoid mowing the lawn but if this is not possible (groan) use a filtering mask while working outside.

Does eating local honey help treat symptoms of allergies?

This is a question that is often asked by patients wishing to take a more natural way of treating their seasonal allergies. The premise (although a good one) is that local honey contains pollens that bees collect and by eating local honey the immune system develops natural immunity. There are few studies available in this regard and a careful review from Dr. Leonard Bielory, Chief, Allergy and Immunology, UMDNJ concluded that there is no benefit for ocular and seasonal allergies. (Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2002 Feb;88(2):198-203.) 

Should someone allergic to beestings eat honey? Should "Burt BEES" Products be used by someone allergic to bees?

Dr. Phil Lieberman, past President of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology  reviewed this question and concluded that therewas no evidence whatsoever that eating honey would be protective in regards to allergic reactions to the sting of bees.

Are there hypoallergenic dogs?

From time to time I am asked of what a good choice of dog would be for kids with allergies. Dr. Robert Woods, an expert in this area from the Johns Hopkins Medical School concluded that despite the chatter on the internet, all dogs shed dander (proteins from the saliva, urine and skin) and there are no breeds of dogs that are reliably less allergenic than others. The best study on this topic to date was published in (Allergy. 2005 Aug;60(8):1060-4), showing that the lowest allergen producers among a sample of 288 dogs (German Shepherd, Pyrenean Shepherd, Poodle, Cocker spaniel, Spaniel, Griffon, Labrador retriever and Yorkshire terrier) were Labrador Retrievers - a breed that most would assume would cause lots of allergy - while the highest producers were poodles - a breed often purported to being the safest (very low shedder of allergen). The dander levels from Labrador retrievers was consistently lower then every other breed tested