Hill Country Ear, Nose & Throat
Charles F. Lano, Jr., MD, FACS
Ear, Nose & Throat Doctor & Sleep Medicine Doctor located in New Braunfels, TX
Your runny nose, congestion, and headache might not be a cold, but rather could be a sinus infection. Charles F. Lano, Jr., MD, and his experienced team at Hill Country Ear, Nose & Throat offer the most advanced care for acute and chronic sinus infections in New Braunfels, Texas. Whether you need relief from your symptoms, or innovative and minimally invasive treatments like Balloon Sinuplasty, Hill Country Ear, Nose & Throat has solutions. Call or schedule an appointment online today.
Allergies Specialist
Allergies
What is allergic rhinitis?
Also known as allergies or hay fever, allergic rhinitis occurs when your immune system overreacts to harmless particles in the air. When you inhale these allergens, your body tries to protect itself and produces symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, or rashes and inflammation.
Allergic rhinitis is often triggered by:
- Pollens from trees, grasses, and weeds
- Dust mites and animal dander
- Mold and cockroaches
People can have allergic reactions to things in their workplace as well, including:
- Cereal grain
- Wood dust
- Chemicals
- Lab animals
Allergies are increasing in the United States. They affect as many as 30% of adults and 40% of children.
What are the symptoms of allergies?
Allergy symptoms can be chronic, or may simply flare up at certain times of the year. It’s common to sneeze repeatedly, especially upon waking. You might also experience:
- A runny nose
- Postnasal drip
- Itchy and watery eyes
- Itchy ears, nose, and throat
Allergies can also lead to other conditions like sinusitis and ear infections.
How do you test for allergies?
Hill Country Ear, Nose & Throat offers comprehensive allergy testing to identify your triggers. At your appointment, Dr. Lano or his team conduct a physical examination and review your symptoms. Based on this information, they might recommend a skin test or lab tests.
Skin tests are simple procedures where your doctor applies a small amount of an allergen to your skin to see if it causes an allergic reaction. Lab tests look for substances in your blood that indicate the risk of allergies.
How are allergies treated?
There isn’t a cure for allergic rhinitis, but Hill Country Ear, Nose & Throat provides treatment solutions to reduce your symptoms, including:
- Steroid injections for severe flare-ups
- Prescription nasal sprays or leukotriene inhibitors
- Medications like antihistamines and decongestants
- Allergy shots or sublingual drops to reduce allergen sensitivity
The Hill Country Ears, Nose & Throat team also educate you regarding the allergic disease process and provide strategies for both eliminating and avoiding allergens. These include tips on cleaning your house to reduce dust, animal dander, or molds, and avoiding the outdoors when pollen counts are high.
To learn about treatment options for your allergies, call Hill Country Ear, Nose & Throat or schedule an appointment online today.
