North Baltimore Journal

• We're currently in the midst of peak allergy season in Maryland.

• 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 Maryland 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. Jamie Oberman, of Frederick Breathe Free, said allergy testing can be done at an ENT practice either by a skin pick or a blood test.

"You're doing either skin pick testing on the back or the forearm and you're placing the allergen to see if they develop a flare," Oberman said. "So, that's called in vivo testing, and that is still performed, but equally as sensitive and specific is what's called in vitro testing or Rast (R-A-S-T). In vitro testing, which is a blood test, we're testing for a specific allergy type antibody. This is a specific antibody to an allergen that somebody is allergic to, and it would be elevated on a blood test."

Allergies in Maryland can run anywhere from early March, to February, according to Wyndly. Being in the midst of this peak season, they noted that the main thing to look out for this time of year in the area is grass and ragweed.

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.