7 Common Myths About Environmental Allergies, Debunked

Allergy season is in high swing. Tree and grass pollen counts are high, and mold is an issue in warm, humid environments. If you’re having allergy symptoms, don’t wait until your allergies morph into a physical illness. 

Our board-certified allergists with Advanced Allergy & Asthma treat all types of environmental allergies and food allergies, as well as eczema. May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, which aims to raise public awareness of the impact of asthma and allergies on respiratory health and to highlight effective treatments available today. Check out seven common myths about environmental allergies.

Allergies are only a harmless nuisance

Were you raised by someone whose attitude about allergies is to “just tough it out”? As allergy seasons become longer due to climate change, it may not be possible to follow that advice today. 

If you have moderate or severe allergic rhinitis, you’re troubled by trying to breathe out of one nostril because the other one is congested — especially at night.  Perhaps you have fits of sneezing or coughing. If you have postnasal drip with mucus flowing down your throat like a waterfall, you may get a bronchial infection in allergy season. Allergies can worsen conditions such as sinusitis and asthma. 

Insect allergies can be life-threatening. If you or a loved one sustains a bee, wasp, hornet, or other insect sting and is allergic to it, you could experience life-threatening anaphylaxis. You need to carry an EpiPen prescribed by your allergist to ensure you have an antidote when you need it. 

You may need to move to aid your allergy symptoms 

Have friends told you that you could benefit from moving to a different climate, without the flora and fauna in your local area? However, the truth is that you could move from the eastern US to the western US only to find that your old allergy symptoms cleared up, but now you’re plagued with new symptoms from different vegetation. 

Allergies don’t bother very many people 

One in four adults in the US suffers from seasonal environmental allergies. About 40-60 million people in the US have allergic rhinitis. Environmental allergies are increasing. As the climate warms, plants produce pollen earlier and longer than in the past. 

If you clean your house, you won’t have allergy symptoms; the allergens are gone 

It’s impossible to eradicate all of the dust mites and mold spores that thrive in warm, moist areas in your house. Thoroughly cleaning your home, washing your bedding frequently, and daily vacuuming help to control the pet dander and other allergens, but they don’t completely remove them. 

Secondhand smoke doesn’t worsen allergies 

Both smoking and secondhand smoke worsen allergies and asthma. Plus, they lead to heart disease, stroke, and other adverse health events. 

Smoke contains thousands of carcinogenic and irritating chemicals that irritate your airway. Smoking is one of the worst things you can do if you have allergies. 

Allergies can be tested and treated effectively with alternative medicine/supplements 

Your board-certified allergists provide the only scientifically proven tests — skin tests and blood allergen-specific IgE tests — to determine the substances that produce your allergic reaction. Once we identify the substances that trigger an adverse reaction, we develop a treatment plan that may include allergy shots if medication doesn’t adequately control your symptoms. Trust the scientific method. 

Alternatives such as kinesiology, hair analysis, vega testing, electrodermal testing, pulse testing, reflexology, and others have not met rigorous scientific standards in testing for and treating allergies. 

You won’t develop an allergy to animals if you don’t have pets in the house

Animal allergens stick to dust in your carpets, clothing, curtains, and more. They can remain in the air even when the animal isn’t there. Animal allergens can be transferred from your clothes to others, triggering symptoms in them.

Call Advanced Allergy & Asthma or request an appointment through our online portal today. We help you enjoy life again.