With bizarre weather sweeping the country this winter – monsoon-level rains, a warm February, huge snowstorms, even winter tornadoes – it can be hard to predict what spring has in store for us this year. Those with spring allergies may also be wondering what they can expect for symptoms given the winter weather. Allergy season is arriving early in many parts of the country – warm weather, heavy rains in some areas, all seem to contribute. Let’s explore typical spring allergens, symptoms, and what we may be able to expect this year. Spring Allergens The two allergens that cause the most symptom ..read more

A favorite pastime can become a chore when it leaves you feeling sick and foggy. Many people with allergies struggle with gardening because of the direct contact with their problem allergens and extended time outside, but there are a few options to help combat symptoms and bring the joy back to gardening. Direct Contact with Your Problem Allergens Gardening gives you a lot of direct contact with allergens. You’re digging in the dirt, pulling weeds, sitting in the grass, touching plants, and it can all cause symptoms like cough, itching, stuffy nose, congestion, and more. The allergens that cau ..read more

Before we get started, you may be simply wondering: what is candida? Valid question. Candida albicans is a healthy yeast that grows in nearly everyone. It’s typically harmless and grows on mucous membranes in the sinuses, throat, intestine, and genital tract. The only time it becomes a little more harmful than harmless is when individuals experience an overgrowth of candida and then become allergic to it. While it sounds like a strange occurrence, it’s becoming more and more recognized in the allergy world, and could be the root of many people’s suffering. Effects of Candida Overgrowth and All ..read more

Allergy is one of those illnesses that people glaze over — knowing it’s something that just happens each year around a certain time. Allergychoices created a new tool that outlines which allergens cause symptoms during each month, separated by regions of the U.S. Learn more about how allergen seasons differ from state to state, and how you can find relief, in this blog. Typical Seasons If you think simply about how the seasons change, you can understand the plants that typically grow during each season. Spring: Snow (if you have it) starts to melt and trees and grass start to bloom. Trees are ..read more

Besides all the reasons we share for why people start allergy drop treatment following the La Crosse Method Protocol — we hear a few common reasons of why people DON’T start treatment over and over. Here are the three of the most common, and why you should think twice about delaying treatment. 1. “My symptoms aren’t THAT bad” Hearing about allergy worst-case scenarios can make you feel like your symptoms really aren’t that bad, and therefore not worthy of treatment. But the truth is that even the simplest version of allergy — chronic allergic rhinitis — can be (and should be) treated. Though y ..read more

During winter, eczema is one of those conditions — like the cold and flu — that you just keep hearing about. Learn more about the cause of eczema, why it can be worse in the winter, and how you can treat it. What Is Eczema? Eczema is a group of conditions that cause irritated skin, itchiness, dry skin, and rashes. According to the National Eczema Association, 31 million Americans of all ages have eczema. On lighter skin tones, it can present as red and inflamed areas, and on darker skin tones, it can appear as brown or purple inflamed areas. Those affected feel itchiness, heat on the skin, dry ..read more

It’s a new year, and a time to think about what you really want for the twelve months ahead. Getting healthier is usually top of mind, so why not consider how you can prioritize your health — specifically, reducing or eliminating your allergy symptoms — this year? By getting to the cause of your allergies, you can make changes that will last for years to come. Identify Your Triggers The only way to tackle your allergy symptoms is to understand where they come from. Finding what you’re allergic to typically starts by tracking your symptoms. If you have environmental allergies, track when you s ..read more

If you’re the person in your organization planning a party, meeting, conference, or luncheon, there’s a lot of pressure and external factors that can make your job tough. From choosing a venue to selecting entertainment, speakers, or food, it’s a lot to take on. Planning for meals can be difficult with a variety of food allergies, sensitives, and restrictions amongst your attendees. Here we’ll give a few tips for making this process a little easier on the company planner. Preplanning Before you start thinking about food and which vendor to choose, it’s important to survey your attendees. Ask t ..read more

This time of year, people are going house-to-house for gatherings of friends, family, and coworkers, and it’s always thoughtful to bring the host a small gift. There are so many options out there, but some may not be ideal for those with allergies or asthma. Here are a few things to avoid and alternative ideas for your holiday party host gifts this holiday season. Food Food allergies and sensitivities are very common, so it’s important to be conscious about what you’re gifting and how you gift it. It may be best to avoid gifting food, but if it’s a tradition, there are a few ways to make this ..read more

Oral Immunotherapy, or OIT, and Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT), are often talked about as treatments for food allergy. Each treatment has benefits, but they are different approaches. Let’s talk about how they differ, and how that can impact which approach to choose. The only way to treat the cause of allergies is through immunotherapy, where tiny doses of the substance the patient is allergic to are given in increasing amounts until the body learns to tolerate it. Immunotherapy teaches the body to not react to problematic allergens. OIT and SLIT are two popular options that don’t involve an i ..read more