​​Get Relief from Houston’s Allergies

Can anything help relieve the misery of my April allergies?

“Start by having a physical evaluation and allergy testing by a qualified allergist,” says Lyndall Harrison, M.D., a board-certified physician and chief of Allergy and Immunology at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic.

Dr. Harrison says allergy testing can help determine whether pollen, changing weather or other environmental factors could be the source of symptoms.

He says testing usually involves a skin or blood test to better identify what substance or allergen triggers the allergic response. Skin tests are usually preferred because they are rapid, reliable and generally less expensive.

“True allergies probably affect about 30 percent of the population,” Dr. Harrison says. “However, Houston’s wildly varying weather conditions and air quality can cause even those without allergies to experience runny noses and nasal congestion.”

Houston’s outdoor April allergens include various tree pollens, including pecan, oak and ash. April also marks the beginning of the summer grass pollen season. And Houston’s humidity and warm weather promote elevated mold and dust mite levels, which are known allergy triggers.

Depending on the cause of an allergy response, Dr. Harrison says treatments may include a regimen of medications, and for some patients, a program of allergy shots is a possibility.

“Your best bet for long-lasting relief is to see a qualified specialist for testing and treatment,” concludes Dr. Harrison.