If you’ve stopped by the Glatz Group offices in McAllen, chances are that you may have seen some new faces around. However, they’ve actually been loyal and integral staff members for years.
One of those Glatz Group team members you’ll become even more familiar with is Jonathan Lerma, our very own certified Physician Assistant. He’s now leading our team, delivering the same quality care and service as Dr. Glatz.
Working alongside Dr. Glatz for a year and as a dedicated student for six months, Jonathan absorbed the lessons and wisdom of Dr. Glatz for nearly two years.
Today, we’re here to tell you a little bit more about Jonathan Lerma and his trusted team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT, as well as what inspired his career path, and what quality patient care means to him.
Jonathan Lerma decided to settle down in the Rio Grande Valley for its amazing environment and the laidback lifestyle it has to offer. Family-oriented, Jonathan wanted to find a home best suited for his new family, including his baby girl.
He brings this fatherly perspective into his profession and wants to make sure you and your little ones are always comfortable whenever you stop by our Glatz Group office.
Lerma’s favorite hobbies outside of work and spending time with his family include sports like football, basketball, and soccer.
Being involved in the medical field has always been a lifelong dream of Jonathan. He always carried a deep appreciation for those involved in the world of medicine and the impact they had on their patients. This passion grew stronger when he began to work with Dr. Glatz.
What intrigues him the most about working as a certified Physician Assistant in the specialized area of ENT is how different every single day can be. Jonathan finds it fascinating how unique each case is, and enjoys having the opportunity to see all sides of the spectrum.
His favorite part about being a part of Glatz Group is that he and his team are able to deliver medical services that are oftentimes outside of what a general doctor can do.
Patient care, overall, will always be his top priority. He values what people remember from their visit to Glatz Group, and has plenty of fond memories of his own experiences with patients. Providing exceptional quality patient care, he believes he can have a positive impact on his clients’ lives.
For those dealing with potential sinus-related health issues, here are some warning signs that Jonathan advises you should be aware of:
2020 has undeniably been the furthest thing from normal, but Lerma’s goal for the Glatz Group is to keep ensuring that patients are being properly taken care of. He’s also working closely with his team to deliver improved telemedicine services so that all patients can obtain the care they need, regardless of their ability to visit the office because of COVID-19.
The team will also continue to ensure that our offices follow all CDC recommendations for cleaning and protecting visitors.
For patients whose symptoms do not resolve with medication, Jonathan Lerma is able to perform the minimally invasive and effective procedure known as balloon sinuplasty. When it comes to your allergy and sinus problems, you can count on our McAllen Physician Assistant to take care of it.
If you’re experiencing any allergy or sinus issues, do not hesitate to set up an appointment with the Glatz Group of Valley ENT, and see Jonathan Lerma himself.
Enlarged turbinates, or turbinate hypertrophy, is a condition that happens as the result of chronic inflammation of the mucosal membranes that cover the turbinates. When these membranes become chronically swollen, they can develop prolonged nasal congestion.
Fortunately, there’s a solution, and the McAllen certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT are here to help you understand your options for relief.
Turbinates are comprised of bone and soft tissue and are found inside the nose by the septum. The cartilage and bone are aligned with a thin protective membrane called mucosa which helps maintain moisture in your nose. There’s typically space between the septum and turbinates to let air pass through the nose, and the turbinates help bring warmth and moisture to the air that passes through.
There are three turbinates in both nostrils (inferior, middle, and superior), but the inferior turbinates impact airflow the most. For many, the soft tissue part of the turbinates is the key issue--where the turbinates become enlarged--causing nasal congestion and even obstruction.
As mentioned above, if the inferior turbinates are too large, they can cause nasal obstruction in one or both sides of the nose. Nasal obstruction is a blockage of the nose or nasal cavity that affects your ability to breathe through the nose.
As a result, those affected tend to breathe through their mouth, often resulting in dry mouth. For others, these symptoms worsen at night and can impact sleep. Learn more about nasal obstruction and what else causes it here.
Symptoms of enlarged turbinates may include:
Generally, we will ask you about your symptoms and conduct a nasal examination via a lighted, 4mm nasal endoscope. The endoscope will help us see the nasal and sinus passageways and figure out the source of your nasal congestion. For certain patients, CT scans and allergy testing may also be done.
When enlarged inferior turbinates are confirmed as the main contributing factor of nasal obstruction, turbinate reduction procedures may be recommended to reduce the size of the turbinates and improve breathing.
Two of the most commonly performed procedures include Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) and Submucosal Reduction (SMR). Both are efficient in shrinking the swelling of the turbinate mucosa and in decreasing the congested lining.
In this procedure, a small probe is placed in the submucosal area of the turbinate (between the inner turbinate bone and the outer mucosal lining) and low-power radiofrequency energy is applied to minimize tissue volume.
For the SMR procedure, a small incision is made in the front part (head) of the inferior turbinate. General or local anesthesia is administered to the patient, and dissection is done by making a pocket in the submucosal lining for placement of a tool called a microdebrider. The microdebrider utilizes suction to gently pull up the engorged submucosal tissue and some bone of the inferior turbinate, and the rotating blades slice it down or shrink it. Once the submucosal lining has been reduced, the healing process begins and scar tissue forms to prevent the lining from swelling as it had prior to surgery.
Another Option to Open Up the Nasal Pathway
Moving or “out-fracturing” the turbinate bone may be suggested to particular patients to open up the nasal pathway. This is an additional operation that can be done alongside an RFA or SMR.
In an “out-fracture” procedure, the inferior turbinate Conchal bone is moved or “out-fractured” from its usual midline position to a more lateral position alongside the nasal sidewalls. This permits the primary component of the nasal airway to open up, enhancing improved airflow.
If you have any questions about Turbinate Reduction, you can look through our frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) here.
If you have any other questions about what to expect from Turbinate Reduction surgery, you can also refer to Jonathan's first-hand experience with the procedure in his video where you’ll also find the list of FAQ’s to give patients an idea of what to expect.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, we can address your symptoms through telemedicine based on your preference, comfort, and safety. If you need an appointment, you can rest assured knowing that we take the precautionary measures to protect our patients and staff. For a procedure done in our office, calls are also welcomed.
Nasal breathing transfers roughly 70% of airflow to your lungs. Nasal airway obstruction is essentially blockage of the nose or nasal cavity, and more than 20 million Americans are estimated to suffer from nasal airway obstruction, which limits airflow through the nose with serious consequences in regards to the quality of life.
Either one or both nostrils may be impacted. While most nasal obstructions are temporary--caused by colds, allergies, sinus infections, or medications--others require medical intervention.
After years of working with our trusted McAllen ENT, Dr. Frank R. Glatz, McAllen certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT have just the remedy you’re looking for if you are suffering from nasal airway obstruction.
Narrowing of the nasal valve can be induced by an enlargement of any of the three main structures. The septum, lateral wall, and turbinates create a triangular area called the Nasal Valve. If any of these tissues expand in size, nasal airway size is minimized, resulting in decreased airflow.
Nasal polyps, foreign objects in the nose, oversized adenoids, and swelling of the nasal lining due to allergies can all cause a nasal obstruction as well. If any of these matches the symptoms you suffer from, an appointment with the Glatz Group can determine what your best options are for relief.
This decreased volume of air can lead to the following:
Treating nasal obstructions is a straightforward process where we carefully examine your nose through a lighted scope, a CT scan, or an MRI to determine what in particular is causing your nasal obstruction. The first step in treating nasal obstructions is getting those symptoms under control. Medications or nasal steroid sprays are generally helpful in reducing inflammation of the nose and turbinates and providing quick, temporary relief.
Nightly breathing strips and nasal dilators never fully fix the problem but are options for ongoing at-home remedies you can try. It is worth noting that home remedies are not a permanent solution.
Balloon Sinuplasty is a minimally invasive sinus procedure available to eligible patients performed in our office.
This treatment has achieved outstanding outcomes for many patients, while requiring little or no anesthesia and minimal recovery time. This treatment is performed in place of more invasive and aggressive surgeries that involve general anesthesia with tedious recovery processes.
This technology utilizes a tiny, flexible, balloon catheter that is positioned into the nose to access the sinuses. The sinus balloon catheter gradually inflates to gently restructure the previously blocked sinus drainage opening, maintaining the integrity of the sinus lining and restoring typical sinus drainage and function.
There’s no cutting or tissue removal, with minimal risk of scarring within the nose. Most patients generally recover within 48 hours.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we will carry on taking all precautionary measures possible to keep our staff and patients safe. While we do in-house procedures with safety at the forefront, we are also able to address your nasal airway obstruction symptoms online via our telemedicine services or over the phone.
Allergies to our little furry friends are common, especially for people who already suffer from allergies or asthma, and it doesn’t help that the pandemic has given those affected no choice but to spend more time stuck at home with those allergens.
But your time cooped up at home doesn’t have to be miserable when there are options for relief. After years working alongside our McAllen ENT, Dr. Frank R. Glatz, McAllen certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT have the solutions you need when it comes to dealing with pet allergies.
The immune system’s role is to locate foreign substances like viruses and bacteria and eliminate them. People with pet allergies, however, have over-sensitive immune systems, reacting to the pet's urine, saliva, or dander--a.k.a. dead flakes of skin.
Cat and dog allergens are all over the place, as they can gather on furniture as well as other surfaces. In fact, pet allergens can be found in places that have never housed pets because people can carry them on their clothes.
Additionally, pet allergens can get into the air whenever the animal is petted or groomed, and it can be stirred up where the allergens originally settled, either through dusting, vacuuming, or other household chores. Once airborne, the particles can stay in the air or settle on walls for long periods of time.
Cat and dog allergens can land on membranes lining the eyes and nose, causing swelling and itching of the membranes, stuffy nose, and inflamed eyes. A pet scratch or lick can also irritate the skin area, and itchy eyes can occur after petting an animal and touching your eyes as well.
As a matter of fact, contact with a cat may trigger an asthma attack for at least three in ten people with asthma, and it can also result in chronic asthma.
Many airborne particles are microscopic enough to access the lungs. For some, this exposure can lead to breathing issues. Highly sensitive people can start to cough, wheeze, and experience shortness of breath within 15 to 30 minutes of inhaling allergens. Sometimes people also get a severe rash on the face, neck, and upper chest.
Your sinus doctor will diagnose a pet allergy based on your symptoms, your medical history, a physical examination, and/or a blood or skin test. The results of the allergy testing will display if there’s allergic sensitivity to the animal.
The doctor may tell you to stay out of the home where the pet lives to see if your symptoms stop. It doesn’t help to remove the dog or cat because the allergen will stay in your home, so much so, in fact, that pet allergens in the home can trigger symptoms months after the animal is gone.
Keeping your pet outside will help but won’t take out the allergens inside your home. Another alternative is to pick pets without fur or feathers like fish, snakes, or turtles.
While finding a new home for a pet and a thorough house cleaning is the best option to eliminate pet allergies, most animal lovers prefer to keep their little fur babies. Here are few things you can do to lessen exposure:
Since COVID-19 remains a major health crisis, the safety and well-being of our staff and patients will continue to be our top priority. We can address your pet-related allergy symptoms online with our telemedicine services or through a phone call.
If you’re in need of an immediate procedure done in our office, that may also be scheduled upon request.
Hurricane season can be unforgiving, as we most recently experienced here in the Rio Grande Valley with Hurricane Hanna.
The destruction hurricanes leave behind can take years to rebuild. The toll on an individual’s well-being and overall health can be just as serious, especially if they suffer from allergies or asthma.
As if COVID-19 concerns aren’t worrisome enough, allergy season is worse than ever this year, and hurricane season isn’t going to make it any better. If anything, it can worsen those symptoms.
Today, your certified McAllen physician assistant, Jonathan Lerma, and his dependable team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT will help provide you with a better understanding of how hurricane season can worsen your allergies or asthma.
Weather patterns affect environmental allergies.
Hurricanes can make allergy and asthma symptoms worse due to the fact that pollen and mold spores spread into the air after intense weather conditions. The high winds spread those wet mold spores into the air and a lack of air circulation because of lost power allows more allergens to enter your home.
Following a severe storm, debris from trees and plants also become covered with mold and other triggers that can intensify allergic and asthmatic symptoms. Allergic reactions to mold include nasal congestion, coughing, and sneezing. Asthmatics can experience wheezing, tightness in the chest, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
Allergy season generally peaks once the leaves start to fall in October and November, but the damage caused by hurricanes results in many trees on the ground and a multitude of mold from standing water.
The cleanup process should begin as soon as you're possibly able to. This can’t take place without proper preparation for those with pre-existing conditions, such as asthma, and those with weak immune systems.
When the floodwater recedes and cleanup starts, respiratory ailments rise as a result of mold.
You should always take precautions when cleaning up after a hurricane since it comes with several risks. Mold can begin to grow shortly after flooding and can quickly take over a home.
Try taking the following precautions when you being the cleaning process:
We hope that the advice we shared can help to prepare you for what may come with hurricane season and your allergies.
Since COVID-19 is an unresolved health crisis, we continue to look after the safety and well-being of our beloved staff and patients. If you would like to have your symptoms addressed without coming to the office, it can be conducted online with our telemedicine services.
Appointments are also a phone call away.
If you are in need of an in-office procedure, we can set that up accordingly.
If you have trouble breathing, despite taking medication to relieve your symptoms, chances may be that you are actually suffering from a deviated septum. This condition can result in a number of issues that medicine simply cannot fix.
If you're looking to ease sinus-related symptoms caused by a deviated septum, look into having a balloon sinuplasty procedure done.
Today, your certified McAllen physician assistant, Jonathan Lerma, and his sinus relief specialists here at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT, can help those with deviated septums better understand how it can affect their breathing and sinuses, and what options are available to alleviate those symptoms.
Before understanding how deviated septums can impact your breathing and sinuses, we must first understand what the condition is.
A deviated septum is a physical disorder within the nasal septum, the part of the nose that separates the nasal cavity and forms the nostrils. The nasal septum is primarily made up of bone and cartilage, and is meant to symmetrically separate the nasal openings. When there’s a displacement in the nasal septum, the nasal passageways are no longer symmetrically separated. This creates a blockage in one of the nostrils.
The most common symptom of a deviated or crooked septum is difficulty breathing through the nose. The symptoms are typically worse on one side, and sometimes take place on the side opposite the bend. In certain instances, the crooked septum may interfere with the drainage of the sinuses, leading to recurring sinus infections.
In other cases, a person with a mildly deviated septum may experience symptoms only when they are dealing with an upper respiratory tract infection. For these individuals, in particular, a respiratory infection will provoke nasal inflammation that temporarily intensifies airflow issues associated with the deviated septum. Once the cold has passed, and the nasal inflammation subsides, symptoms of a slightly deviated septum usually resolve as well.
However, for individuals suffering from moderately to severely deviated septums, prolonging treatment will only increase the time you must deal with the symptoms. A deviated septum can result in:
There are several options that may be recommended or prescribed to help you deal with symptoms associated with a deviated septum, including:
It is worth noting that medications only treat the swollen mucous membranes and symptoms associated with a deviated septum BUT WILL NOT correct a deviated septum.
While balloon sinuplasty cannot straighten or correct a deviated septum, it can be used to help individuals obtain relief from sinus-related problems that are exacerbated by the condition.
This minimally invasive procedure does not require any bone or tissue to be removed. It simply uses a balloon catheter to widen the nasal cavity, helping to improve airflow and breathing for the patient. Once the balloon is inserted into the cavity of the affected region, it is slowly inflated to widen and remodel the sinuses.
The risks are small and the benefits can provide a comfortable life without breathing troubles.
As COVID-19 is still an ongoing health concern, we are doing everything in our efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of our staff and patients alike. For the sake of your comfort and peace of mind, we can address your symptoms online via telemedicine services or the phone.
If you need an in-office procedure, that can also be arranged upon request.
Most of us usually see summer as a time for fun in the sun and a break from spring pollen but, unfortunately, that may not be the case for all allergy sufferers. In fact, the summer heat can make allergies worse than usual.
Let your certified McAllen physician assistant, Jonathan Lerma, and his team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT explain how summer heat can impact your allergies.
While pollen can affect allergies at any time of the year, those who are most susceptible to it and ragweed may notice a drastic increase in their symptoms during the summer months.
In extreme heat, more pollen is produced, and with summer winds it can get spread around more easily.
There’s plenty of notable summer bugs that can cause you to have an allergic reaction, but we’re talking primarily about cockroaches. Of all non-plant or mold allergies, cockroaches are one of the most common insects that people are allergic to.
Cockroaches are always present in Texas, but summer is the time they become the most prominent and abundant. The feces, saliva, and shedding body parts of cockroaches may all be allergy triggers, and these allergens are spread by winds sweeping them into the air.
Luckily, reducing the effects of your cockroach allergy is the same as lessening the number of cockroaches in your house. Keep every area of your house clean, keep food in containers, and fix leaks to water and regions where cockroaches tend to flock.
If you’ve ever had one of those days where you check the weather app and notice three digit temperatures, it’s only natural for you to want to have a lazy day inside with air conditioning.
However, when we stay inside for long periods of time (and also due to stay-at-home orders), we are exposing ourselves to indoor allergens no matter how clean you may try to keep your house. Roughly 70% of homes have mold behind their walls. For some, a little mold can be fine and not really influence health or breathing, but mold allergies are very common, and in many cases, that could mean our indoor air quality might actually be worse than the outdoors.
Also, mold isn’t the only source of the sniffles inside your house. Dust mites are also a big factor. Dust mites and mold are year-round allergies that can greatly affect your health. Dust mites also like to spend much of their time where you are (hopefully) spending eight hours each day: your bed.
Dust can be much more manageable than mold since it’s not hiding behind the wall, but if you have any kids, pets, roommates, or anyone sharing your space with you, managing it can become less possible.
The Mayo Clinic recommends that even if you are treating your allergy symptoms, try to avoid triggers. If, for example, you’re allergic to pollen, stay indoors with windows closed when pollen count is high. Additionally, air conditioning can help reduce exposure to hot, humid air.
Bear in mind that certain days are worse than others in regards to heat, humidity, and air pollution. By keeping track of weather updates and air quality forecasts, you can limit your time outdoors on especially hot or high air pollution days to help avoid provoking your allergies.
Also, taking your medication as prescribed on top of keeping quick-relief medications with you at all times can help you lessen the degree to which changing weather conditions influence you and your breathing.
Despite your greatest efforts, you might still experience your allergy symptoms getting worse in the summer heat - but that doesn’t mean you have to continue to suffer.
You may be a candidate for balloon sinuplasty, a minimally invasive procedure conducted in our office that can safely and effectively reduce uncomfortable and painful allergy-related symptoms. Every day we make sure that our office is a safe, healthy space for our patients and staff alike, especially due to the current circumstances of COVID-19.
Whether you prefer to have your symptoms addressed online through our telemedicine services or a phone call, we’re ready and ‘Glatz’ to help. For an in-office procedure, we can set that up with you as soon as possible.
The symptoms of allergies and sinusitis can be very similar. Both problems can cause sinus pain and pressure, a runny nose, congestion, sneezing, and other issues.
In fact, allergies can sometimes result in sinus infections. An allergy occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to a foreign substance, such as pollen. Sinusitis is a sinus infection that is generally bacterial or viral.
It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis of your condition because the treatments for allergies and sinusitis can be quite different. Certified McAllen physician assistant, Jonathan Lerma, and his sinus relief team at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT want to clear things up by discussing the differences between sinusitis and allergies.
At the surface level, sinusitis and allergies can cause very similar symptoms but are actually very different conditions.
Sinusitis is when the sinuses become infected or inflamed. There are four pairs of sinuses in the skull and face, any of which can develop sinusitis.
Sinusitis can be considered acute or chronic. If it’s acute, then it is temporary and the symptoms should fade within about 10 days. Chronic sinusitis is when symptoms have persisted for more than 12 weeks and medical treatment has been ineffective.
Chronic sinusitis is more common among those with allergies, asthma, a deviated septum, and other conditions that block the nose or sinuses.
Allergies, on the other hand, are a type of immune system response. In allergy sufferers, the immune system attempts to combat a foreign substance that has entered your body. This can, in turn, induce pain and inflammation around the sinuses. When a person breathes in an allergen and their sinuses get inflamed, this is often referred to as hay fever or allergic rhinitis.
Allergies, like dust and dander, may cause inflammation and symptoms that resemble those of sinusitis. It is important to be aware, however, that in some cases, an allergy CAN trigger sinusitis.
When the sinuses swell in response to an allergy, bacteria can get stuck in your nose, potentially causing an infection. Sinusitis, however, does not cause allergies. Note that if an individual has allergies and sinusitis, the infection can exacerbate the allergy symptoms.
Sinusitis and allergies can cause swelling in the nasal passageways, leading to a stuffy nose, or congestion. They both can cause headaches and a feeling of pressure along the sinuses, resulting in pain on the face.
However, there are certain distinctions that can help determine whether you’re experiencing an allergic reaction or sinusitis.
Allergies can come without warning or with seasonal changes. Sinusitis typically follows a cold or other viral infection.
A person might be having an allergic reaction if they have:
A person may have sinusitis if they experience:
Treatment for allergies can include a range of different kinds of medications, such as pills, inhalers, and eye drops. Some are available as over-the-counter medications, while others are available by prescription.
Antihistamines can be utilized to block the histamine that provokes many symptoms, and decongestants may also be used to help alleviate congestion.
Immunotherapy is also another treatment option designed to build up tolerance for those with environmental allergies. It usually involves using injections of a tiny amount of the allergen, but it can also be done with a bit of the allergen placed underneath the tongue.
Sinusitis treatment options include:
Balloon sinuplasty, a minimally invasive procedure done, is another option that may be just the solution you need when antibiotics and other medicines aren’t effective at treating your sinusitis.
Sometimes an underlying issue, either a deviated septum or nasal polyps, is the source of your symptoms and can be corrected with surgery. At Glatz Group, We also provide nasal polyp removal surgery.
The pain and pressure of allergies and sinusitis can make it challenging to sleep and concentrate, which can greatly impact your quality of life. Thankfully, both conditions are treatable. Our certified specialists can diagnose the issue and recommend the best course of action.
We continue to provide state-of-the-art care in a manner that’s individualized and compassionate, even amidst the unusual circumstances of COVID-19. Thanks to telemedicine, we’ve been able to successfully address the allergy symptoms of our patients without an in-person meeting.
If you need immediate treatment, we can schedule an in-office procedure as soon as possible. We also offer online consultations or phone calls.
Nasal congestion and sinus pressure have several causes, including colds, the flu, and allergies. Regardless of your trigger, the symptoms that affect you can be quite bothersome, and even lead to headaches and other pains.
When you have a cold or are affected by allergies, the membranes lining your nasal passageways become inflamed and irritated, causing that stuffed up feeling. The membranes will then start to develop excess mucus to help flush out the source of the irritation, including any allergens.
With that being said, your certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT are glad to offer the following fantastic tips to help you avoid nasal congestion.
While it can be difficult to completely prevent sinus pressure and congestion, taking the following measures can help keep infections and allergies at bay:
When you’re stuffed up, focus on keeping your nasal passages and sinuses moist. Sometimes people believe that dry air may help clear up a runny nose, but in reality, it has the opposite effect. Drying out the membranes will only irritate them more.
You’ll find that some of the preventative measures are also methods to treat nasal congestion from home. To keep your nasal passages moist, you can:
If you have nasal congestion and sinus pressure for more than seven days, even after using these approaches, it’s better to be proactive and seek options for relief through your local ENT specialists at Glatz Group.
If you have concerns about COVID-19, rest assured knowing that we’ve been following the CDC guidelines to ensure that our office is safe and clean for both our guests and staff. Thanks to telemedicine, we’ve been able to address 90 to 95% of our patients’ allergy symptoms online.
We also offer online consultations, phone calls, and in-person visits.
If you're allergic to outdoor allergens, you’re probably familiar with how to relieve some of the symptoms, but what about those sneaky allergens that can dwell within your home?
Plenty of allergens can hide indoors, causing you plenty of sneezing, coughing, and discomfort. The good news is that your local certified McAllen physician assistant Jonathan Lerma, and his sinus relief team at the Glatz Group at VALLEY ENT, know all about the top hidden allergy triggers that can exist inside your home and what you can do about them.
Microscopic dust mites live on dead skin cells shed by us and our furry friends. They are generally to blame for allergy symptoms, and these little bugs can hide everywhere in your home where dust builds up like hard surfaces, tabletops, bookshelves, and hardwood floors.
In addition, dust mites love warm, humid areas, which make soft surfaces where you sit and rest good hiding spots. These include bedding, carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture. Curtains hide dust mites, too.
To get rid of dust mites and reduce dust mite allergy:
Pet allergens go beyond just dander and fur. Those who are allergic to pets may also allergic to their saliva and urine. Sadly, you may have to get rid of your pets depending on the severity of your allergies, but if your allergies are manageable, take efforts to minimize pet allergens in your home by:
You spend a lot of time in your bed, and it just so happens to be a prime spot for household allergens. Dust mites and pet allergies gather in your mattress, sheets, and pillows.
Get rid of these allergens by:
Mold spores are common indoor allergens. Your bathroom and kitchen are primary spots where mold spores tend to germinate, but any area that's damp or where there’s standing water or leakage can grow mold.
Get rid of mold by:
It also helps to refrain from putting carpeting in moist or humid regions.
Cockroaches can crawl into any home, leaving behind droppings and skin sheddings that can set off your allergies. They usually find their way into your home through cracks and holes, openings around your doors and windows, and sometimes through the plumbing.
These resilient critters are not exclusive to a dirty home. In fact, any home with a food and water source--even non-food items like clothing and paper--can be a paradise for a cockroach.
Keeping a tidy kitchen sink and floor free from foodstuffs and water and sealing up all of their entrances, however, can help you get rid of your cockroach, and allergen, problem.
Aside from the more obvious dangers that smoking presents, tobacco smoke can make your allergy symptoms, and asthma, much worse. While the smoke itself may be a primary irritant, many in the medical field also believe it may be due to an allergy to any of the many harmful chemicals that are present in each inhale.
The bottom line, however, is that you shouldn't smoke or let others smoke inside your home or vehicle if you have allergies that stem from cigarette smoke--and for primary health concerns as well. The smoke settles in your furniture, carpets, and curtains for a long time, and this can mess with your airways and worsen other allergies in the process over a long period of time.
Pollen can float its way into your home through the slight breeze that accompanies you inside, your clothes, your hair, and your pet’s fur, making the time you spend indoors unbearable. By the same token, if you leave your windows open or let your laundry air-dry outside, outdoor allergens will gladly invite themselves in.
Reduce outdoor pollen exposure by:
Clearing out the sources of allergens is the best way for you to ensure that the air in your home is clean. Make sure your vacuum has a HEPA air filter to catch tiny particles of allergens and search for air conditioner filters that are able to filter them out as well.
In fact, don't start your car in the garage if the garage is attached to your home, and don't keep chemicals like pesticides inside your home. These fumes these objects produce can aggravate your airways and worsen allergy symptoms.
If you are still struggling with allergies after following these tips, it may be time to pay a visit to your McAllen ENT to discuss your options for relief.
Despite COVID-19 concerns, we want to remind our guests that we are doing everything possible to maintain health standards in our office for the safety and wellbeing of you and our staff.
The use of telemedicine has allowed us to address 90 to 95% of our patients’ allergy symptoms without an in-person meeting, but we also take online consultations, phone calls, and in-person visits as well.
