by Katie McCormack, MD
Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Physician
Boulder Medical Center – Louisville, CO
Unfortunately for allergy and asthma sufferers, climate change may be to blame for your worsening seasonal symptoms. Increasing temperatures and carbon dioxide levels lead to the earlier arrival of the pollen season, longer pollen seasons, and plants producing higher pollen levels. Extreme weather events can also stir up allergens and make them harder to avoid.
Global warming can also be a culprit for seasonal asthma symptoms, where flares can occur due to the pollen burden and increased ozone levels.
What are Allergies?
Environmental allergies occur when your immune system recognizes and overreacts to something in the environment. Seasonal allergies are triggered by airborne outdoor allergens in the environment, such as pollens and molds. Year-round allergies may be triggered by pets, mold, or dust mites, depending on the climate in which you live. Typical symptoms that we can see from environmental allergies include:
- Sneezing
- Runny or Stuffy Nose
- Itchy or Watery eyes
- Coughing and Wheezing
- Skin Rashes
- Fatigue
These symptoms, though common, can interfere with daily life, productivity, and overall well-being. In some cases, they can lead to more severe respiratory conditions like asthma exacerbations.
Diagnosis of Environmental Allergies
The most common initial testing is called a skin prick test or skin scratch test to confirm the diagnosis of environmental allergies and identify triggers. With skin testing, a small amount of the allergens are introduced into your skin via a surface scratch and then observed for the development of a localized skin reaction. Skin testing is the easiest, most sensitive, and generally least expensive way of identifying allergens. This testing can often be performed during the initial consultation in the allergist’s office.
Treatment Options
When considering treatment for environmental allergies, there are several environmental mitigation strategies, medications, and immunotherapy options that can be pursued based on an individual’s allergies and overall treatment goals. Your allergist can help you decide which treatment option is best for you.
Allergen Immunotherapy: A Long-Term Solution?
While medications and avoidance strategies offer temporary relief from allergy symptoms, they do not address the root cause of the allergic response. For individuals looking for a long-term solution, allergen immunotherapy presents an effective treatment option. The idea behind allergen immunotherapy is to “retrain” the immune system to tolerate these allergens better and reduce the need for other medications. This treatment option can provide longer-lasting benefits that may be permanent for some individuals, even after completing the treatment course.
There are a number of options for allergen immunotherapy that your allergist can help you understand and prescribe for treatment if you are a candidate.
About Katie McCormack, MD
Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Specialist at Boulder Medical Center in Louisville, CO
Dr. Katie McCormack treats infant, youth, and adult patients for everything from seasonal and food allergies to asthma and eczema. She strives to educate, inform, and empower her patients to become participants in their wellness and care.
Dr. McCormack welcomes new patients in her Louisville, CO clinic. She regularly sees patients throughout Boulder County and nearby communities, including Broomfield, Westminster, Arvada, and Golden.
Learn More
- Dr. McCormack’s Full Profile
- Please call for an appointment: (303) 440-3083