BY DUSTIN BUTLER
Local experts talk navigating seasonal allergies in North Texas
While seasonal allergies are generally worse in spring and fall, local experts say North Texas residents deal with them all year. Dr. Stacy Silvers is chief medical officer for Aspire Allergy and Sinus, a company that runs allergy clinics in Texas and four other states. She said allergies occur because of response to pollen from the body’s immune system. “For whatever reason, our immune system has decided that the pollen in the air is bad for us,” Silvers said. The details Dr. John Van Wagoner, who is part of the medical group Southwest Allergy and Asthma Center in Frisco, said seasonal allergy symptoms include sneezing, itchy and stuffy nose, coughing and itchy and red eyes. Fatigue, sore throat and headaches are also common.
Common allergens
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Weeds
Trees
Grass
Mold
Dust mites
SOURCES: ASPIRE ALLERGY AND SINUS, SOUTHWEST ALLERGY AND ASTHMA CENTER/COMMUNITY IMPACT
seasonal allergy season starts. If low-dose medications aren’t improving one’s quality of life, then Van Wagoner recommends seeing a doctor. “There’s a whole host of options to help people feel better with their allergies,” Silvers said. “Treating allergies will not only make your nose and eyes feel better, but your lungs as well.”
The options Remedies include over the counter antihista- mines such as Zyrtec or Allegra. Van Wagoner said these medications help with minor symptoms. Silvers said nasal sprays such as Flonase and Nasacort work best because they help with most symptoms; however, they are also slow-acting and work best when they are started before the
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