Your Relief Blog

We are thrilled to introduce Dr. Rebecca M. Durón, the newest member of our team at Dakota Allergy & Asthma. Dr. Durón brings a wealth of expertise and a compassionate approach to our practice, and we are excited to welcome her to our community.

For parents, there’s a unique joy that comes with sending your child off to school, there’s gratification in seeing your child begin to stand on their own two feet. But when your child has allergies, you may also encounter some unique worries and concerns.

 Thankfully, there are a few steps parents, schools, and children can take to help ensure your kids stay allergy-safe at school.

At Dakota Allergy & Asthma, the treatment process typically begins with an allergy consultation. During your consultation, you’ll be seen by one of our three specialists. At the end of your appointment, you will likely have a much better idea of what you’re allergic to (and what you’re not) and how you can find relief!

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a condition that impacts 1 in every 2,000 Americans. Many sufferers also have allergies like hayfever and asthma. Eosinophilic esophagitis (sometimes shortened to simply EoE) is caused by an immunologic reaction which presents primarily in the esophagus (not a true allergic reaction). Treatment options can vary, and so far there’s typically no “cure” for this condition. That means that most patients achieve relief by successfully managing their symptoms.

In some cases, managing symptoms will mean identifying likely triggers and avoiding them–a process that can require a specialized diet. This can be challenging for patients, but there are some tips and tricks which can help.

It’s a beautiful morning—almost like something from a movie. You wake up, press snooze on your alarm, and then meander out of your front door, where your newspaper is waiting for you. Over a nice cup of coffee, you spend a few minutes waking up and doing the daily crossword puzzle (you’re a bit old-fashioned that way). It’s only when you go to refill your coffee that you notice your hands feel a little…raw. Maybe a little itchy?

It’s not the first time this has happened, and suddenly the question crosses your mind: are you allergic to newspaper print?

In the sweltering heat of summer, there is no better friend and companion than your air conditioning unit. Whether you’re curled up next to a window unit or basking beneath a central air vent, AC is your ticket to comfort and wellness when the summer temps skyrocket. The only trouble is, that you start sneezing every time the cold air starts blowing. So… could you be allergic to your air conditioning?

The answer is mostly no… with a little bit of yes.

Every December, it seems to be the same story: the Christmas tree goes up, and suddenly you start feeling worn down. Perhaps you experience sniffles, a plugged nose, coughing, or other yuck. So you ask yourself: Can I be allergic to Christmas trees?

After all, December should be a time for celebration, for getting together with friends and family, for appreciating beautiful holiday decorations (lights, tinsel, and trees). You don’t want to spend the season nursing a runny nose if you don’t have to.

So is it your tree making you sneeze? Or is something else going on? The answer can help you get back to enjoying the holidays.

Albuterol inhalers have been a significant part of asthma treatment for decades. But that doesn’t mean researchers aren’t always making improvements or current events don’t shake things up a little bit. Patients don’t necessarily need to keep their fingers on the pulse of the pharmaceutical industry–but it helps to maintain some awareness of what’s happening with current events, especially as they relate to this critical asthma medication.

In other words, for patients, staying aware of albuterol news can help you successfully manage your symptoms.

There’s nothing quite like that first sniff of spring after a long and snowy winter. You throw open your windows, you hear the birds chirping, and you can smell spring in the air. That’s when you start sneezing. Or coughing. And throughout later March and April all you seem to be feeling is… congested.

Every spring brings the tree and mold allergy problems to life. The mold spores come out as the snow melt uncovers the molds and their spores. Each year is a bit different as to when that happens. The tree pollination is fairly fixed and occurs in about the same weeks every year! If you know what you are allergic to you can be prepared to prevent your allergy symptoms.

Our tree pollen season gets an early start in the spring in South Dakota, Southwestern Minnesota, and Northeastern Iowa. Remember that each species only pollinates for a few weeks and then is done until next year.

• Later March brings Elm, Maple, and Juniper pollen.
• April brings us alder, birch, cottonwood, and finally oak pollen.

You’re out on a relaxing hike when you first notice the itching. The sensation starts on your arms, under layers of winter gear. As you turn back, you think you can feel the hives spreading–and you realize that you’re going to have to walk all the way back to your car itching like crazy. It’s not a thought that fills you with joy, especially because you didn’t think winter allergies were a thing. Certainly not winter hives!