Can Face Masks Help with Allergies?
With spring comes beautiful flowers, trips to Fairmount Park with family, thunderstorms that light up the sky and, unfortunately, seasonal allergies. The good news is, there are simple ways to reduce symptoms, and you’re already doing one of them: wearing a face mask. One study shows that wearing face masks can protect you from exposure…
Is It Allergies or COVID?
In years past, a case of the sniffles at the beginning of spring would be a sure sign that allergy season started. But now that we’re living in the age of COVID-19, we know that it could be something worse. It’s important to take your symptoms seriously in order to keep others safe. We’ve compiled…
Concerned About Your Allergy History and the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Two COVID-19 vaccines have been approved and are currently circulating for emergency use in the United States, via Pfizer and Moderna. While both have documented severe allergy reactions, the statistics are still rare and low regarding adverse reactions Still, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new guidelines for people with histories…
How Can Allergies Affect Your Ears?
Many of us are all too familiar with the discomfort of an allergic reaction. Between itchy eyes, congestion, runny nose, sinus pressure, sneezing and a scratchy throat, the face becomes quite the hot spot for your symptoms. What many don’t know is allergies can also affect your ears. What Causes an Allergic Reaction? Your immune…
Loss of Smell and Taste Linked to COVID-19
By now, we’re all familiar with the main symptoms of COVID-19: fever, body aches, dry cough, breathing difficulty. But for some people, additional symptoms include a loss of smell and taste; these can occur even in the absence of any other symptoms. Anosmia and ageusia (the medical terms for loss of smell and taste) are…
Is it Allergies or COVID-19?
With the coronavirus pandemic coinciding with upcoming fall allergy season, individuals with allergies are having trouble distinguishing whether their symptoms are the result of exposure to pollen and other allergen triggers, or associated with COVID-19. In order to alleviate any unnecessary fear, understanding the differences between allergies and coronavirus—while acknowledging that there are certain similarities—is…
How Seasonal Allergies Affect Skin
Many factors can affect the health and appearance of your skin, including sleep, hormones, hygiene, diet, hydration and more. Another factor you may not suspect is at play is your seasonal allergies. Airborne allergens such as pollen can cause irritation in the skin, just as it does in the eyes, nose and throat. How Allergens…
How a Beetle Can Help Your Allergies
Ragweed is the most common weed allergen, affecting around 23 million Americans and 13.5 million Europeans. It may surprise you to learn that many people are finding relief from their symptoms thanks to a tiny leaf beetle. How Can a Beetle Reduce Allergens? The beetle known officially as Ophraella communa eats primarily ragweed leaves and…
How to Beat Fall Allergies
Now that it’s officially fall, people in Blue Bell are preparing for the season with hayrides, mulled cider and pumpkin-flavored everything. You might also want to break out the Kleenex, because autumn is also synonymous with allergies. Yes, Autumn Allergies are a “Thing” Many people associate allergies with the spring and summer months, but just…
How Does Immunotherapy Work?
Environmental allergies are tough to cope with, especially in the spring. If you are tired of taking daily medications with limited results, you may be a candidate for immunotherapy. Allergy shots (subcutaneous immunotherapy) are the most common form of immunotherapy. They can be used as a long-term treatment for seasonal, indoor and insect sting allergies….