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It’s allergy time in the Basin
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| H&N photo by Todd E. Swenson Allergy and Asthma Center for Southern Oregon medical assistant Robin Sundseth administers an allergy shot Monday for dust mites, weed and mold for LaRae Lasley. |
June 12, 2007
Once a month, LaRae Lasley gets allergy shots for dust mites, weeds and mold in her right arm, and shots for cats, dogs, trees and grass in her left.
The Klamath Falls woman started immunotherapy treatments in late March at the Allergy and Asthma Center of Southern Oregon in Klamath Falls, and will continue them once a month for five years to build up immunity to pesky allergens.
This is the time of year that gets more Klamath Basin residents sneezing and coughing than any other, said Dr. Kevin Parks at the allergy and asthma center, calling this month the center’s busiest time of year. The culprit: Grass pollen.
20 patients a day
It’s not uncommon to have 20 patients a day at the shot clinic, said Stephanie Rose, a medical assistant at the center. There also are first-time patients being referred from their regular doctors for allergy testing, which consists of 60 injections of allergens into a person’s back.
“It’s uncomfortable, but not painful,” Rose said.
After being tested, Lasley opted to start five years of immunotherapy, rather than depending on inhalers and nebulizers for breathing assistance.
“And I can already feel a difference,” she said. “It’s worth it.”
Developing, treating allergies
Allergies can develop at any age, but most new onsets occur in children and young adults and result in itchy, water eyes and drainage, Parks said.
“When all of those symptoms are present in concert, that’s a sign of an allergy,” he said.
The question then becomes what can be done to lessen the impact of the allergens.
There are over-the-counter medicines such Loratidine, an antihistamine, and nasal-saline washes.
“In fact, it can be made at home,” Parks said about nasal-saline washes, a combination of warm water and salt.
He suggests not using topical decongestants such as Oxymetazoline for more than three days because they can create rebound congestion, causing constricting blood vessels in the lining of the nose.
The success rate for immunotherapy treatment isn’t 100 percent, but it remains a viable option.
“We’ve had people graduate out of their shots,” Rose said, noting some do fine, but others may need to start the process again.
- By Megan Doyle
Once a month, LaRae Lasley gets allergy shots for dust mites, weeds and mold in her right arm, and shots for cats, dogs, trees and grass in her left.
The Klamath Falls woman started immunotherapy treatments in late March at the Allergy and Asthma Center of Southern Oregon in Klamath Falls, and will continue them once a month for five years to build up immunity to pesky allergens.
This is the time of year that gets more Klamath Basin residents sneezing and coughing than any other, said Dr. Kevin Parks at the allergy and asthma center, calling this month the center’s busiest time of year. The culprit: Grass pollen.
20 patients a day
It’s not uncommon to have 20 patients a day at the shot clinic, said Stephanie Rose, a medical assistant at the center. There also are first-time patients being referred from their regular doctors for allergy testing, which consists of 60 injections of allergens into a person’s back.
“It’s uncomfortable, but not painful,” Rose said.
After being tested, Lasley opted to start five years of immunotherapy, rather than depending on inhalers and nebulizers for breathing assistance.
“And I can already feel a difference,” she said. “It’s worth it.”
Developing, treating allergies
Allergies can develop at any age, but most new onsets occur in children and young adults and result in itchy, water eyes and drainage, Parks said.
“When all of those symptoms are present in concert, that’s a sign of an allergy,” he said.
The question then becomes what can be done to lessen the impact of the allergens.
There are over-the-counter medicines such Loratidine, an antihistamine, and nasal-saline washes.
“In fact, it can be made at home,” Parks said about nasal-saline washes, a combination of warm water and salt.
He suggests not using topical decongestants such as Oxymetazoline for more than three days because they can create rebound congestion, causing constricting blood vessels in the lining of the nose.
The success rate for immunotherapy treatment isn’t 100 percent, but it remains a viable option.
“We’ve had people graduate out of their shots,” Rose said, noting some do fine, but others may need to start the process again.
- By Megan Doyle
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Reader Comments
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leesa wrote on Jan 23, 2009 12:37 PM:
" these things should never happened in this world. the world should be safe. "
samantha r. wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:12 PM:
" this article is So true when your a teen girl and your pregnant It seems to feel like your life is over and there is no way you can fix it but that's not true if your young and your going to have a child then stay focused in school your child wants you to succeed in life so he/she can succeed in life my name is Samantha R. I'm 14 years old i live in Klamath falls and i might be pregnant :] If so I'm determined to make sure my child has a better life then i did :] "
Babe wrote on Jan 23, 2008 6:54 PM:
" I think that chiloquin people do need help and not just the teens but i have also seen places that are alot worse i moved from L.A to chiloquin and ive been back there since and trust me chiloquin is nothing. I also think that crime and drugs etc. are noticed more because it is so small compared to other places and there is no form of disaplin at all "
Tony P. wrote on Jan 19, 2008 7:55 PM:
" I remember the night the plane went down.. My mother crying and my dad in tears.. his dad searched for him for years...
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Jane D. wrote on Apr 10, 2009 12:00 AM:
I Love You Bobby
May your soul Rest In Peace
-Deems "