NE Dallas News

• Dallas allergies can be an issue year round.

• If you struggle with sinusitis, it's encouraged to get tested for allergies by an ENT doctor.

• For those diagnosed with allergies, there are minimally invasive treatment options available that can lead to a better quality of life.

With Dallas allergies being year round it's likely that those with sinusitis are having to deal with extra inflammation, especially in the more triggering months. Dr. Monty Trimble, of Dallas Breathe Free, said there are pollutants specifically in the Dallas area that can make allergies worse.

"Allergies cause mucosal inflammation and swelling, that also causes the lining of the nose to be more susceptible to infection and become a viral infection," Trimble said. "Allergens will set the stage for people getting sick, but they also over time, will cause enlargement of the nasal lining and that can also lead to obstruction of the openings of the sinuses and also lead to inflammation within the sinuses themselves. One thing that particularly we have in the Dallas Fort Worth area that seems to be as bad as any place I've lived is nonallergic irritants or pollutants which definitely potentiate the effects of allergens by breaking down the lining of the nose. This is why we have so many people that move here that, six months later are coming in with nasal and sinus problems."

Allergies in the Dallas area can run year round, according to Wyndly. They noted that the main things to look out for this time of year in the area is grass, and we're also coming up on ragweed allergy season.

The 50 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies might experience sneezing, coughing, congestion, itchy eyes, a runny nose and fatigue, according to Yale Medicine. People who need to undergo testing for allergies typically have two options. One option is is a skin prick test, during which a doctor will insert a tiny amount of potential allergens under the skin of the patient's upper arm. The skin will become red and swollen if the patient has an allergy, and patients typically have their results within one to two days. 

The other option is a blood test, during which the patient's blood is drawn and tested for allergens in a lab. Although this testing method takes longer, it allows doctors to test for more allergens than during a skin test, according to Yale Medicine.

Symptoms of allergies can vary depending on the specific substance and may impact various parts of your body, including your airways, sinuses, nasal passages, skin and digestive system, according to Mayo Clinic. Allergic responses can span a spectrum from mild to severe, and can include sneezing, an itchy or runny nose and watery or swollen eyes.

For patients dealing with allergies, there are minimally invasive treatment options available that can give them a better quality of life. One of these treatment options is the balloon sinuplasty, which is a safe and minimally invasive procedure utilized by surgeons to address chronic sinusitis, according to Nuffield Health. During the process, doctors insert a guide wire equipped with a small balloon into the nostrils and navigate it to the area of blockage.