Okeechobee Times

• Florida 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 Florida having outdoor allergies year round, it's likely that those with sinusitis are having to deal with extra inflammation. Dr. Cody Aull, of West Palm Beach Breathe Free, said the balloon sinuplasty is a great option to help get rid of your allergies, if that's what's causing your sinus issues.

"If you've had inflammation there for a long time, you've got a little bit of scarring in there [the sinuses]," Aull said. "We are minimally invasive. We perform balloon sinuplasty to open that up and get it back to where it's supposed to be. Then, we get to keep it there because we've taken care of your allergies, and if your allergies were the main cause of your sinus issue, you’ll be thrilled."

Allergies in Florida can run year round, according to Wyndly. They noted that the main things to look out for this time of year are weed allergies, and in the upcoming fall you'll need to lookout for tree allergies.

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.