'Tis The Season...for Asthma, Allergies, and Sinusitis
by Anonymous

'Tis the Season … for Allergies, Asthma and Sinusitis

Flower Mound, TX – December 18, 2002 – Is an artificial tree a better choice than a live tree for the 50 million Americans who suffer from allergic diseases? According to allergy specialist, Mary Hudelson, MD, both a live and an artificial tree offers new opportunities to sneeze, as both can be a source of allergens.

Dr. Hudelson, who has treated over 10,000 asthma and allergy patients, advises that evergreen trees can act as a conduit for mold or pollens that it has acquired in its pre-Christmas environment. Also, the tree's resins and sap can cause contact dermatitis. Dr. Hudelson recommends wearing gloves when handling a live tree, removing surface pollens by hosing the tree outdoors, and cleaning the ornaments and lights to remove accumulated dust and mold.    

Artificial trees, if stored improperly, can introduce mold and dust into the home. Dr. Hudelson's associate, Marie Fitzgerald, MD, who is also a board certified allergy specialist, recommends cleaning artificial trees, ornaments, and lights with a damp cloth to rid them of dust and mold.

Dr. Hudelson states that the increased incidences of asthma, allergies, and sinusitis are triggered by live and artificial trees and by holiday foods, for those who have food sensitivities. Drinking, too, can be a problem because alcohol stimulates mucus production and dilates blood vessels, making allergy symptoms worse.

How do we know if we have food allergies or food sensitivities? An allergy specialist needs to match your history of suspected allergens with your test results. How to tell if our nasal stuffiness is a cold or a sinus infection? No problem for Dr. Hudelson, the only local allergy specialist who has an on-site CT scanner.

Mary B. Hudelson, MD, is a board certified allergy specialist who established the Family Allergy and Asthma Care center in 1993. Dr. Hudelson and her associates, Marie Fitzgerald, MD, and David Hrncir, MD, specialize in the treatment of pediatric and adult asthma, allergy, and immunology diseases. Considered a leader in her field, Dr. Hudelson is a member of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (Fellow), and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, and Chief of Staff at the Medical Center of Lewisville (2003-2004). Dr. Hudelson and her associates are the only board certified allergists in the Flower Mound, Texas area.
For further information on the Family Allergy and Asthma Care center, contact Drs. Hudelson and Fitzgerald at (972) 539-0086 or visit their Website at www.faac-care.com






This article courtesy of http://www.worldasthma.org. You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.

Submit Your Article