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25 HEALTHCARE DIRECTORY 2014–15 Physical Therapy & Rehab Concepts, PC 512-353-4575 • PTRC-TX.com • San Mar Plaza • 915 Hwy. 80 • San Marcos, TX 78666 General Physical Therapy • Sports Rehab • Orthotics • Aquatics • Occupational Established 1987 27+ years of Service Voted Best of Hays County SEASONAL ALLERGY GUIDE Ash Pecan Elm Cottonwood By Stephen Burnett Central Texas is filled with year-round seasonal allergens spawned from blooming trees, grass and weeds. In January pollen from mountain cedar trees is especially severe, with oak, elm and ragweed allergen counts developing in other months. Sources: Dr. William C. Howland III, M.D., Allergy and Asthma Center of Austin; Katherine Webster, LAc, MAcOM, Texas Center for Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine Local allergists recommend a variety of treatments that can help prevent or relieve most seasonal allergies and their symptoms. ALLERGY TREATMENTS Nasal steroids Patients opting for this treatment must begin using nasal steroids before an allergy season and use them daily during the season, along with other medications such as antihistamines. Flonase: A prescription corticosteroid with an anti-inflammatory agent. Nasacort: In April this nasal spray became available without a prescription. LOCAL ALLERGY CLINICS Allergy & Family Medicine 2108 Hunter Road, Ste. 116, Kyle 512-396-2125 Austin ENT Clinic 1180 Seton Parkway, Ste. 420, Kyle 512-268-5282 Austin Regional Clinic Kyle Plum Creek 4100 Everett Street, Ste. 400, Kyle 512-295-1333 Live Oak Health Partners Allergy and Sinus Center 1340 Wonder World Drive, Ste. 4301, San Marcos 512-353-6400 San Marcos Ear, Nose and Throat 2000-C Medical Parkway, San Marcos 512-353-8899 Texan ENT and Allergy Specialists 601 Leah Ave., San Marcos; 1180 Seton Parkway Ste. 330, Kyle 512-550-0321 Immunotherapy Doctors can treat sufferers with injections or tongue tablets that contain weakened allergen doses. The treatment allows the body to slowly become more tolerant or immune to the presence of allergens. These treatments are prescription-only and are administered by a doctor. Patients may respond to these treatments with allergic reactions, requiring treatment with an epinephrine autoinjector to prevent shock. Injections: Patients with 3–5 years of this treatment may have fewer allergies for years. Oralair and Grastek: In April the Food and Drug Administration approved these under-the-tongue tablets that are designed to treat specific forms of seasonal allergies. Ragweed and other weeds LATE SEPT.–EARLY NOV. The common weeds’ pollen can peak in early October and is only halted by a winter frost. Grass EARLY APRIL–LATE SEPT. From spring until fall, lawn grasses release little pollen but can still cause allergies. Oak LATE FEB.–MID-MAY Oak tree allergens can peak in April when their hanging catkins burst open to release pollen. LATE APRIL– EARLY JUNE Pecan and cottonwood trees also have pollinating catkins. HEADACHES? Most headaches are migraines or sinus-related, not due to effects of allergies. NASAL INFLAMMATION? This may result from colds or non- allergic rhinitis, a disease that causes allergy-like symptoms; overuse of nasal sprays; or reactions to odors, smoke, dust, dirt and other non- allergens. FATIGUE? Sleep deprivation or even sleep apnea, not allergies, causes tiredness. CAN LOCAL HONEY HELP IMMUNITY? No. Honey comes from pollen that bees collect from flowers; most allergens come from trees. CAN I BOOST MY IMMUNE SYSTEM WITH HERBS OR SUPPLEMENTS? Allergies result from overactive immune systems, so the solution is instead to calm the system. SHOULD YOUNG CHILDREN AVOID PLANTS WITH ALLERGENS? Physicians once recommended children avoid potential allergen sources, but now believe that early exposure can help children grow accustomed to allergens. Cedar pollen LATE NOV.–EARLY FEB. Cedar cones open early every year to release tens of thousands of particles per cubic meter of air—breaking records such as in 2014 when counts ranked highest in Central Texas in 20 years. Pecan Cottonwood Elm and Ash MID-FEB.–LATE MARCH Ash and elm trees bloom for the spring. and Symptom relief Nonprescription decongestants such as Sudafed and Mucinex address allergy symptoms such as nasal congestion. Eye drops such as Alaway and Zaditor relieve itchy eyes. Antihistamines The human body reacts to pollen by releasing histamines, which cause congestion, itchy eyes and other symptoms. Antihistamines such as Allegra and Claritin or the nasal spray Dymista counter the body’s reactions and are available without a prescription. SETH EVANS, M.D. • 512-550-0321 • TEXANENT.COM LOCATIONS IN KYLE, SAN MARCOS & LOCKHART Do you suffer from allergy or sinus problems? We can help.
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