Okeechobee Times

• There are numerous allergies that can originate from indoor sources.
• Indoor allergens such as mold, dust, and pet dander can be common issues for allergy sufferers.
• An ENT specialist can provide treatment for individuals who may not be aware that they are struggling with allergies in their living space.

Year-round, indoor allergies can pose challenges, particularly in the winter, when you spend more time indoors. Dr. Cody Aull of West Palm Beach Breathe Free said they offer allergy treatments that provide permanent results.

"Just a little bit of inflammation in a very tight space like the nose causes a big problem," Dr. Aull told Okeechobee Times. "We are minimally invasive; we perform balloon sinuplasty to open that up and get it back to where it's supposed to be. The nice thing is that we get back to stage one with the balloon sinuplasty while we're treating your allergies, and we treat your allergies so that it never recurs."

Allergies stemming from indoor sources are activated by common allergens present in homes or other indoor settings, according to Very Well Health. Mold, dust mites, pet dander, and even cockroaches are among the typical culprits. Managing indoor allergies might prove more challenging than avoiding outdoor allergens, and their impact can be equally debilitating for patients.

To identify indoor allergies, WebMD suggests keeping track of when, where, and what you're doing when your symptoms worsen. Consider whether you were exposed to potential allergens. For instance, did your symptoms escalate following a basement flood, potentially leading to mold growth? Conversely, did your symptoms improve while you were on vacation? Providing this information to your doctor could assist in identifying your allergy triggers.

To diagnose allergies, doctors will review the patient's symptoms and medical history and then recommend either a blood test or a skin test, according to Web MD. For a skin test, the doctor will place a small amount of the allergen on the patient's skin, typically on the forearm or back. If the patient is allergic to that particular allergen, a small, itchy bump will appear.

Dr. Aull earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the University of Health Sciences/Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri, according to West Palm Beach Breathe Free's website. He then finished his residency in otolaryngology and surgery, which included an ENT internship, at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Missouri. He has also served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Navy.