Be Allergy Aware
According to Webster’s Dictionary, the definition of awareness is “knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.” The fact is many people have allergies and don’t realize it. If you don’t know or have the perception you may have allergies, how can you possibly manage …
How much does allergy testing cost?
What patients really want to know is: “How much will I have to pay for allergy testing?” These 2 questions are quite different in this world of complicated health insurance. For the sake of simplifying these questions, I will use an example: Allergy doctor A: …
Don’t Hop to Allergy Conclusions on Easter!
Easter is a blessed holiday frequently spent with family and friends. Easter celebrations bring several potential allergy exposures (food, pollen, latex and pets). How to prepare for an “allergy-safe” Easter: Host: If you are the host, don’t assume your guests do not have allergies—that can …
The Eyes Have it! Pazeo®: A New Option for Treating Itchy Eyes.
For many people spring, summer and fall are a time to step outside and enjoy Montana’s beauty. However, some people experience red, itchy, swollen, watery eyes when pollen or other allergens are in the air. This is called allergic conjunctivitis. For some patients, these symptoms …
Asthma and Allergy: Not Do-it-Yourself Disorders!
Do it yourself! That was my idea when I decided to remove the wallpaper from my wife’s kitchen. It was a disaster! Or the time I decided to “re-build” a 1973 Jeep CJ-5. How hard could it be? I had a manual, the internet, …
Preparing for allergies when going OTC (Off To College)!
In this month’s issue of Montana Parent magazine, I provide a checklist for student’s with asthma and allergies who are preparing to head off to college. The transition can be challenging enough for students without health issues so imagine the potential issues when you leave …
Horse allergy: It’s not just for cowboys!
Living in Montana means horses! If you are allergic to horses, it can really put a hitch in your giddy up! A little background on horses: They are 1 of 2 subspecies of Equus ferus that is still in existence. They belong to the family …
Epinephrine: Life-Saving Drug!
Epinephrine is the #1 most important medication used to stop or lessen severe allergic reactions that may be life threatening (anaphylaxis). Anaphylaxis can be triggered by allergic reactions to medications (especially antibiotics and aspirin), foods (especially nuts, peanut, and seafood), latex, and insect stings (bee, …
And then there were 2: Flonase goes OTC!
Flonase (Fluticasone proprionate) is now available without a prescription. It joins Nasacort Allergy 24 HR to become the second corticosteroid nasal spray available OTC. Flonase nasal spray first became available in 1994 as a prescription medicine to treat nasal allergies. Since then, it has become …
Are allergies just a problem with the nose?
If you answered “No,” then you probably have allergies or know someone who does. Allergic rhinitis has been designated the “Rodney Dangerfield” of medical diagnoses…it gets NO RESPECT! Many people (including health insurance companies) feel it is just a nuisance that can be treated with …