Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and in animals.  They can cause the “common cold”.  At the end of 2019, a novel coronavirus was identified as the cause of a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, a city in the … [Read more...]

Vaccinations are our best protection against infections that, in the past, have killed many people. There are many diseases that have been nearly eradicated with effective vaccination, some of which include polio, smallpox, and tetanus. There are … [Read more...]

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and in animals.  At the end of 2019, a novel coronavirus was identified as the cause of a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, a city in the Hubei Province of China. It rapidly … [Read more...]

It is that time of year again - schools are back in session! Every school year is a very busy time for teachers, students and parents; however, the current pandemic adds another layer of stress and concerns. Most schools require an allergy, asthma … [Read more...]

There are many kinds of coronaviruses and some can cause disease. At the end of 2019, a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was identified as the cause of pneumonia  in several people in Wuhan, China.  Epidemiologists determined that the virus possibly … [Read more...]

Nasal polyps are soft, painless, non-cancerous growths that originate from the nasal passages or paranasal sinuses. They often look like tiny teardrops or grapes hanging inside the nasal cavity. They are the result of various disease processes that … [Read more...]

Could you be allergic to your furry pet? According to the 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey, 67% of U.S households own a pet.  Every year, this number seems to rise.  The most common furry pets include cats and dogs, but many own rodents, … [Read more...]

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is also known as pollen-food allergy syndrome.  It is due to cross-reactivity between certain pollens and certain raw fruits and raw vegetables, spices, and nuts. The proteins found in these foods are similar to the … [Read more...]

Here in Texas, the fall season typically begins in late August/early September and ends  in December.  For those who have allergies, it can be a dreadful time of year.  Constant sneezing, congestion, watery itchy eyes, nose, throat, and asthma … [Read more...]

Mosquitoes are insects that are found all over the world.  There are about 200 different species in the United States, living in specific habitats, exhibiting unique behaviors and biting different animals.  Only female mosquitos bite animals and … [Read more...]

Contact dermatitis is a skin condition that presents with a rash that occurs when the skin comes into contact with either a substance that causes irritation or an allergen that causes an immune response.  The skin can become red, itchy, or painful.  … [Read more...]

Urticaria, also known as hives or welts, are itchy red bumps that appear on the surface of the skin that fade or blanch when pressure is applied.  When it affects the deeper layers of the skin, it can cause swelling or angioedema of the skin, … [Read more...]

For patients that suffer from allergies, typical treatments include a combination of oral, nasal and ocular antihistamines and/or corticosteroids.  These medications will temporarily treat the symptoms of allergies, but only allergen immunotherapy … [Read more...]