Allergy Treatment
If the problem with your nose and sinus symptoms is deemed to be simply allergies causing inflammation of the nasal cavity without significant sinus obstruction, then medical treatment options may be pursued to minimize the body’s inflammatory reaction to these allergens. Allergens are irritants in the environment that people develop allergies towards, these commonly include dust mites, pollens, weeds, animal dander and molds. Allergy testing can be performed in our office to determine your particular allergens (i.e. triggers) and then behavioral management can be instituted. These include avoidance of the allergen such as the use of mattress or pillow coverings and washing them regularly in hot water, using air conditioners in the home instead of opening the windows to avoid pollen entering the home, and/or avoiding your cat or dog that you may be allergic to if feasible. When these measures are not sufficient then medical treatment with nasal steroid sprays and/or antihistamines are instituted. Lastly if the patient continues to be symptomatic with these measures instituted, then allergy shot therapy may be pursued in our office to desensitize the patient against the inciting allergens. With allergy shot therapy the patient is exposed to small escalating amounts of the allergen they are reactive to on a weekly basis for months to years until their body builds up immunity against the allergens. Many patients find this as the only long-term option for their severe allergies.
Back to Nasal & Sinus Surgery
