Have you been spending too much on your over-the-counter allergy medications, and still not getting any relief? If this has gone on for months on end, you might have chronic sinusitis.

Chronic sinusitis is a condition where the hollow spaces behind your nose, eyes, and cheeks get inflamed. This inflammation can cause a range of uncomfortable long-lasting symptoms, including:

• Feelings of pressure in your face
• Headaches
• Fever
• Postnasal drip
• Congestion
• Cough

For chronic sinusitis sufferers who are going through over-the-counter allergy medications like water and want to finally find long-lasting relief, immunotherapy treatment might be right for you.

If you haven’t heard of immunotherapy treatment before now, don’t worry! Here is some information that can help.

What is Immunotherapy Treatment?

Immunotherapy treatment is the fancy name for an allergy shot. It is a long-term treatment option for reducing or eliminating symptoms for many allergy patients.

What makes immunotherapy treatment so effective is right in the name. It treats your allergy symptoms, instead of just temporarily reducing them. This is because allergy shots go directly to the source.

That is, it works with your immune system.

In other words, each allergy shot you receive gradually strengthens your immune system. That way, your body learns to stop overreacting to specific allergens overtime.

How Does Immunotherapy Treatment Work?

To get the most out of your immunotherapy, you’ll want to visit a clinic that customizes your treatment, like Dr. Matorin’s Sinus & Allergy Center.

Here’s how it all works…

Get Tested for Your Unique Sensitivities

First, your immunotherapy doctor will give you a set of allergy tests. These tests pinpoint your specific sensitivities. That way, your doctor can customize your allergy treatment.

Be sure not to take any antihistamines before your visit. This will help make sure your test results are as accurate as possible.

Choose Your Treatment Plan

Next, you’ll decide with your doctor on your treatment plan. At Dr. Matorin’s Sinus & Allergy Center, patients have the option to choose how they receive their allergy shots.

You can either receive your immunotherapy treatment at the office or have a caregiver give you your allergy shots at home. Our detailed training and educational process make getting treatment at home safe and effective! That way, you can save some time on trips to the clinic.

The Benefits of Immunotherapy Treatment

So, now that you know what immunotherapy treatment is, let’s dive into the many benefits it has for individuals with chronic sinusitis.

Address the Root Cause of Your Chronic Sinusitis

If you’ve been suffering from chronic sinusitis, you might have tried countless over-the-counter allergy medications to find lasting relief. But these only provide short-term relief for your allergy symptoms.

In contrast, allergy shots modify your immune system’s reaction to allergens. As a result, they treat the root cause of your chronic sinusitis.

Get A Customized Treatment

Another benefit of allergy shots is that they are custom-made just for you.

Over-the-counter medications reduce a general host of allergy symptoms. But how do you know if they will help with your specific sensitivities? And how do you know if the dosage will be enough?

With customized immunotherapy shots, you won’t have to guess whether or not your allergy shot will work. You can rest assured your customized vial has enough of what you need to get relief – every time.

Save Money and Time

Say goodbye to expensive drugstore runs each week! Allergy shots take the guesswork out of your allergy treatment, so you won’t have to waste time and money on over-the-counter medications that don’t work for you.

Instead, with immunotherapy treatment, visit the clinic once every 10 to 11 weeks for a new custom vial. Save time and money. It’s a win-win!

Stop Missing Out on Your Life

What’s more, if your chronic sinusitis is serious, you might have had to cancel your plans with family or take off from work without pay. A study from 2004 found that patients who underwent immunotherapy treatment had 72% fewer days off from work or school.

Immunotherapy can help you lose less time to your chronic sinusitis and enjoy more of your life.

Experience Long-Term Relief

Finally, immunotherapy treatment lets people with chronic sinusitis experience long-term relief.

Many pill and liquid allergy medications are not intended for long-term use. They can cause complications if they are relied on too often. Some of the complications that are linked to using these medications for an extended period of time include the following:

• Cataracts
• Osteoporosis
• Muscle weakness
• Stomach ulcers
• Increased blood sugar
• High blood pressure

The thing that makes sinusitis chronic, is that the symptoms are long-lasting. For individuals with chronic sinusitis, a long-term solution is necessary.

Thankfully, you don’t have to sacrifice other aspects of your health for long-term sinus relief. Immunotherapy is designed specifically as a long-term solution to reduce or even eliminate your worst allergy symptoms.

Is Immunotherapy Treatment Right for You?

Have you been wondering if immunotherapy treatment is right for you? You may want to consider seeking out allergy shots if…

• You’re experiencing chronic sinusitis symptoms
• Your doctor ruled out a bacterial infection
• The symptoms have lasted for more than three months

Still not sure if allergy shots are right for you?

Contact our friendly staff at Dr. Matorin’s Sinus & Allergy Center today! We’ll put you in touch with an immunotherapy doctor who will listen to your symptoms and help you determine if immunotherapy is the right solution for you.

Traveling with allergies requires a lot of planning. This summer, leave your worries (and all the pollen and ragweed) to us and put your mind at ease. We’ve compiled a list of the top places to travel if you have allergies, so you can breathe free and be free.

Utah

As one of the top allergy-free locations in the US, the clear mountainous air of Utah is heaven for those with pollen or ragweed allergies. While you won’t find much snow in the summer months, you’ll find a whole lot of fresh, breathable air. Feel free to be active and go on a bike trail or ride horses, or just sit back and relax.

Florida or California

A beachfront could be perfect for you. The cleansed saltwater air can be great for stuffy noses. Play in the sand and cool off in the water this summer. It’s best to travel to a completely different environment to thwart off your allergies. If you live on the west, vacation in sunny Florida, and if you live on the east, the Californian coast is calling you. Either way, you’re bound to have a good beach vacation.

Alaska

Escape greenery and go on a cruise to the cool air of Alaska. A cruise is a good option to travel at ease especially with children, rather than the hectic bustle of flying from an airport. With nightly entertainment, water slides, a spa, and sports, cruises are plan-free. Be wary of moisture and mold however, and take necessary precautions.

New York or Washington

A big city can be just what you need to stay away from actual jungles and frolic in concrete jungles. Albany, NY and Seattle, Washington are also on the list for low allergens. Check out the parks, shopping districts, and historical sites. Keep in mind, that allergens can be carried in by the wind or the city pollution may be a problem in general. Make sure to book an allergy friendly hotel and be prepared with medication and remedies regardless.

In general, set your sights on a place that are more mountainous and have drier air. These places tend to have less pollen. Make travel decisions based on your needs and always travel with medication, in case. Check out PURE room to search for an allergy-free hotel room for your stay, and our blog to learn more about traveling with allergies.

Feel free to make a pit stop to visit us! If you have been having nasal obstruction or your allergies are just out of control, the solution can be simple. Contact Dr. Matorin today and start back on the path to a healthy life.

Don’t forget to consider your allergies when traveling this spring. We understand. It’s easy to get lost in packing and planning, but an allergy attack can derail any potential fun. So here are some tips for maximizing your time, with or without allergens.

Research Weather & Local Allergens

Many travelers already check out the forecast in advance, but often tucked away in those reports are pollen and allergy levels. Depending on the season, allergen levels may vary, but knowing what’s waiting for you from the moment you arrive can give you advance warning, letting you be proactive rather than reactive with your travel prep.

Bring OTC Medication & Nasal Sprays

This suggestion may be obvious, but it’s important, especially if you already know your allergies. OTCs provide a safety net in the event of an attack, providing relief that keeps you active rather than on the sidelines. Besides, no one likes spending their vacation from their hotel room.

Having OTCs around just in case, even if you don’t consider yourself allergic, is a prudent move. There’s a potential for encountering an allergen you have never met because of seasonal or regional coincidences. If you you’re caught off guard, just find the closest pharmacy and remedy the situation.

Keep in mind, however, that using OTCs is a remedy, not a solution. An allergy solution will require a trip to an ENT doctor.

Bring Your Bed Linens

Or at least your pillow. This solution may sound a bit strange; after all, don’t all hotels come with those standard? While true, not all hotels are created equal when it comes to allergies (see next tip). Hotels that allow pets, have lax cleaning regimes, or, although rare, offer smoking rooms will become allergen hazard courses.

Bringing something from home like a pillow creates stability in an unknown world. Why at least a pillow case? Because that’s where you rest you head for hours at a time. Imagine willingly laying your head in a pile of dust mites or allergens that flew in through an open window from a previous guest. Eck, right?

Choose Allergy-Friendly Hotel Rooms

By “friendly” we don’t mean welcoming. While no hotel is perfect, some hotels offer allergy-friendly rooms at comparable to regular rates. These rooms offer superior allergen treatment and hypoallergenic materials to help make your stay more pleasant. You just have to research or ask which ones do or don’t.

Make Your Room An Allergy-Free Fortress

If an allergy-friendly room is not an option, then consider making your room a safe haven.

Upon arrival, you may want to dust down any potential problem areas that housekeeping may have missed. Also, if you can help it, never open your windows. The view may be gorgeous; however, we all know it takes only a slight breeze to carry in a bunch of allergies that will cause headaches, stuffiness, or worse.

When it comes to mold, though, your plans may require more logistic preparation beforehand. In general, mold likes to grow in damp and cool areas. But how do you avoid mold in a hotel, especially when you can’t always see the problem area? Ask your hotel for an upper-level room on a side that receives the most sunshine. Moisture is less likely to find a home due to the low humidity while regular exposure to sunlight will dry out anything that remains.

Don’t Forget Food Allergies

Saying so sounds silly, but forgetting life-saving equipment like epi-pens or other rescue medication can derail a vacation faster than any allergen. Here are some other safety tips for traveling with food allergies.

Hope this guide helps. Happy planning and safe travels!

Use these five ways to limit the sneezing and remain productive at work

For allergy sufferers, summer is the season of finding ways to avoid allergies, whether at home or on the daily commute—at least until you head indoors and find that cherished air conditioning that is. But not so fast. What may be seen as a sanctuary may also be another safe harbor for the very particulates you’re trying to avoid.

Unfortunately, wherever humans go, they can carry allergens with them. That’s potential bad news for workplace productivity. In fact, in 2015 alone, four million workdays were lost due to hay fever (allergic rhinitis). Not only does that hurt employers, but for employees that means spending valuable PTO.

Thankfully, there are measures for reducing environmental allergies at work, some of which can be accomplished alone or with a team, while others may require reliable building maintenance.     

Reduce dust mites

Here’s one you and your coworkers can tackle without too much effort. Dust mite eggs can migrate via clothing and spread throughout your office space. Since many offices are carpeted, request multiple carpet cleanings throughout the year. If your building is stingy on the cleaning, you can rent a carpet cleaner from big box stores like Home Depot or pool your money and hire an outside company.

On the individual level, you can dust your desk with a microfiber cloth and, if space allows, install a small HEPA air purifier nearby.      

Reduce pet dander

Without ostracizing pet owners, there are ways to subtly provide ways to remove pet hair that has gone along for the ride. Providing community lint rollers can help trap hair while also being useful elsewhere. After all, who wants to go into the big meeting covered in Mr. Snuggles’ white fur?  

Replace a HEPA filter

This one is on the building, but it starts with you. Inquire about the building’s HVAC and whether filters have been replaced. If not, put in a request, saying how it will improve the overall office environment.

You can also place HEPA air purifiers in your office’s more trafficked areas. This is a great opportunity to team up with management and make the workplace respiratory-friendly.  

Avoid scented cleaning solutions and air fresheners

While the smell of fresh rain may bring tranquility for some, it can just as easily agitate others’ respiratory systems. Instead, opt for natural products while being aware that some of these may still be problematic or unpopular.  

When it comes to cleaners, favor unscented options that still get the job done without a fake lemony scent.

Encourage coworkers to take an allergy test

“I’m not sick; it’s just allergies.” If you hear this often, it might be time to suggest allergy testing.  Just be sure to position your suggestion as a way to help them feel better as opposed to implying, “Your sniffly nose bothers me. Please stop.” Explain how testing might reveal the true cause for their allergies and potential cure through long-term immunotherapy rather than relying on antihistamines.

If you have an ENT doctor that does allergy testing, by all means recommend them. Otherwise, encourage them to find someone in their insurance network. Odds are high that both of you share similar plans and benefits.

If you suffer from sinus allergies, you should know the holidays harbor its own brand of histamine triggers that can impact you at any time. Each year, cooler temperatures coupled with a full lineup of get-togethers in uncontrolled spaces can present a unique range of allergen-filled environments. With all the doors and windows closed, heating systems turned on for the first time in months, and rooms adorned with evergreens and dusty decor, any Yuletide gathering can easily turn into an allergic sneeze-fest.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates that as many as 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children are affected by allergies. The good news is you don’t need to skip the festivities just because you’re sensitive. With some simple observations and lifestyle changes, you can skate by some of the holiday sneezing and congestion.

Festive Foods
From Thanksgiving and Christmas to Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, holiday occasions signal weeks of seasonal goodies that increase the odds of either accidentally or knowingly partaking in foods to which you’re allergic. Many holiday selections include processed and fermented meats, milk products, as well as fruits and vegetables that are known allergens. Don’t be shy to ask your host about potential ingredient hazards or bring your own allergen-free dishes.

Merry Molds
Those evergreen wreaths may give you fragrant memories of grandma’s, but oftentimes, fresh-cut plants also carry invisible allergens like pollen and mold spores. Even artificial trees can significantly increase dust and mold counts inside your home. Use a damp cloth to clean your tree and ornaments when brought down from the attic. To remove pollens from your real tree, spray it with a garden hose before bringing it inside. Wear a dust mask and gloves when handling real greenery and place all ornaments in airtight containers when putting them away for next year.

Pet Presents
With cooler temperatures outside, pets will be more inclined to cuddle up on the furniture – collecting dander and other allergens. So if you’re headed to a home with pets, it’s a good idea to take an antihistamine beforehand. Prescription-steroid nasal sprays can also significantly reduce allergy symptoms. Even better, make sure you’re up to date on your allergy shots before the holidays begin. When around pets, practice frequent hand-washing and avoid touching your eyes and face. If you’re staying overnight, consider bringing a HEPA filtration unit to clean the air in your room.

Dust-Mite Decor
Dust mites are microscopic relatives of the spider and live in mattresses, bedding, carpets, and furniture. They’re well-known allergy and asthma triggers and don’t take holidays off. In fact, they can be even more aggravating during winter months, as the air becomes especially damp. When at home, change your air filters more often and wash bedding in hot water weekly. Dust mites can also be reduced by using a dehumidifier to keep humidity below 50 percent. If traveling, bring your own hypoallergenic pillow and allergen-proof cover for adequate protection.

When creating a defense strategy for the next allergy season, it’s best to know your specific triggers. Your allergist can not only help you discover what’s causing your symptoms, he or she can also help you manage and even prevent outbreaks from occurring during all seasons.

If you’re looking to alleviate your allergy symptoms, make an appointment with your allergy specialist today.

It’s only natural to be frustrated with our bodies when we are sneezing and wheezing all day. Believe it or not, seasonal allergies happen because your body is working its hardest to protect you.

Seasonal Allergies and Your Immune System

If you’ve visited an allergy clinic in Houston, like Dr. Matorin’s Sinus & Allergy Center, you might already know that the source of your seasonal allergies is your immune system.

Seasonal allergies occur when your body’s immune system responds to things in your environment that it thinks are dangerous. Typical allergens in Houston include:

• Pollen from trees, weeds, and grasses
• Dust mites
• Mold
• Animal dander

When these allergens enter your body, your immune system responds by releasing histamines. Histamines are the culprits responsible for typical seasonal allergy symptoms, like runny noses, itchy eyes, sneezing, and more

This leaves us with two options… We either avoid allergens our immune system finds dangerous. Or we work to boost our immune system so that allergens pose less of a threat.

Which option should you choose to fight your seasonal allergies?

For many people, option 2 is much easier than option 1. Here’s why…

What Impacts Your Seasonal Allergies From An Allergy Clinic In Houston

It can be very difficult to avoid specific allergens in our daily routines. Here is what may impact your seasonal allergies from our allergy clinic in Houston.

Houston Weather

Houston weather – notorious for its humid environment – greatly impacts your seasonal allergies. Cooler nights and warmer days help pollen thrive. That means, from mid-January through mid-April, Houstonians can suffer the worst seasonal allergies. Houston’s high heat and humidity (especially high in September) is also the perfect setting for mold to grow. Plus, windy days distribute more allergens in our air.

In dry seasons, allergens increase. Rainy days offer some relief by washing away allergens!

The Time of Day

Next, the time of day also impacts seasonal allergy symptoms. The amount of pollen in the air tends to rise in the morning, peak around midday, and reach its lowest by the evening.

If you exercise outside in the morning and suffer from seasonal allergies, consider moving your workouts to the evening.

Your Location

In general, pollen counts rise/fall later in urban locations and earlier in suburban locations.

Of course, there are some places in the US that offer less allergy exposure. But before you decide to move across the country, it’s important to know that allergens are everywhere. Moving out of humid Houston won’t necessarily resolve all of your allergy symptoms.

Your Diet

When patients walk into our allergy clinic in Houston, most of them already have an idea about how the city impacts their seasonal allergies.

But what they don’t realize is their diet also plays a big role! This is because certain foods boost your immune system so that allergens pose less of a threat.

Trying to plan your life around environmental factors can be stressful, time-consuming, and downright frustrating. On the other hand, fighting seasonal allergies by boosting your immune system is a much easier option. It’s as simple as adding a few delicious and nutritious foods to your diet.

5 Foods for Fighting Seasonal Allergies

Grab a pencil and your grocery list! Here are five foods that will help you fight seasonal allergies by boosting your immune system. Best of all, they’re simple foods you can find in most Houston grocery stores.

1. Pineapple

Pineapple is a deliciously refreshing snack to have in warm weather. But you might want to consider snacking on it year-round! Pineapple is filled with vitamin C and the right enzymes to reduce a host of seasonal allergy symptoms.

2. Broccoli

If you’re tired of blocked-up sinuses, eating more vitamin-C rich broccoli can help. Toss some raw broccoli in a salad or dip it in hummus. Or if you prefer cooked broccoli, opt for steaming or microwaving it for a short time. These cooking methods make sure your broccoli is delicious without losing the allergy-relieving benefits of vitamin C.

3. Greek Yogurt

Ready to stop sneezing through the spring season? Greek yogurt’s probiotics contain good and helpful bacteria that can change your body’s immune response for the better. Throw a handful of berries into your greek yogurt for an extra boost of flavor and allergy-fighting vitamins.

4. Fatty Fish

What’s the only thing better than the smell of a fresh tuna melt? Actually being able to smell it! To reduce swelling in your throat and nose this allergy season, add fatty fish to your diet, like:

• Tuna
• Salmon
• Mackerel
• Sardines

In a research study from 2005, adults with more omega-3 fatty acids in their diet had a lower risk for seasonal allergies. Add fatty fish to your diet and start feeling relief.

5. Almonds

Finally, almonds are a natural antihistamine! Almonds tell your immune system to stop making histamines, so you can avoid the seasonal allergy symptoms that come along with them. Plus, their vitamin c and magnesium reduce inflammation in your nose and throat to help you breathe better.

Try having a handful of raw almonds for a snack, or cooking them into your favorite dinner or dessert recipes.

Get More Insider Info on Seasonal Allergy Relief

To stay on top of the latest insider information about fighting seasonal allergies and boosting your immune system, follow Dr. Matorin’s Sinus & Allergy Center blogs here.

And if you’re looking for a thorough and reliable allergy clinic in Houston, contact us today. Our holistic approach to medical care identifies the root problem of your allergies to give you the relief you need.

Call it “stuffy love,” that feeling when you love your pet so much but can’t stop feeling congested, itchy, or sneezy in their presence. It’s nothing they did. You’re just allergic. What can you do? Besides making an appointment with an ENT specialist, there are some adjustments that make life better at home while still enjoying your furry best friend.

1. Don’t allow your pet to sleep in your bedroom

This one may be tough, especially if your critter is a snuggler, but it’s one of the best ways to alleviate allergy symptoms caused by pets. Keeping their fur away from your pillow, where you will be breathing all night, is basically preventing the most prolonged exposure to the animal you would have. If you must sleep with your animal or they enter your room while you are away, you can also consider using impermeable covers for the mattress and pillows on your bed and wash them often.

2. Purchase a HEPA air cleaner or impermeable covers for your bed

Sure, you can keep your pet out of the bedroom where you sleep, but what about all of the other rooms you hang out in during the day time? Allergists suggest that you purchase a high-efficiency HEPA air cleaner to keep in any room of the house you see necessary. This will help purify the air where the pets are present or have been spending a lot of time.

3. Wash your pet and vacuum often

This is really the most important thing you can do to save yourself from excessive cat or dog fur. We all know pets shed like crazy, and brushing and washing them at least once a week can help rid them of loose fur which may have other allergens attached to it. Check with your veterinarian or a reputable pet guide book to choose a good shampoo for your pet and learn how to bathe them safely.

One concept to note is that it isn’t always the fur itself causing your allergies. Some people are more allergic to the pollen which is carried inside on the fur than the fur itself. If you go get tested by an allergist you will know for sure which allergies to focus on.

As far as your house goes, you should avoid dust-and-dander-catching furnishings, such as cloth curtains and blinds, and carpeted floors. Clean frequently and thoroughly to remove dust and dander, concentrating on articles such as couch covers and pillows, curtains, and pet beds.

4. Keep the animal outdoors as much as possible

Certain household pets must remain in a glass casing, like reptiles and amphibians, but with mammals like cats and dogs, keeping them outdoors for much of the time isn’t a problem. They like to run freely so why stop them? The more time they spend outside, the less time they have to shed fur on all of your furnishings and clothing, leaving you susceptible to your pet dander allergies.