Go to our "CLOSINGS" tab on our website to see our updated Coronavirus Policy

Month: August 2016

Fall Allergies are Quickly Approaching

As the Summer draws closer to an end in Gainesville, VA, Tysons Corner, VA, Falls Church, VA, and the rest of the Washington, DC metropolitan area, you may be searching for an allergist in Arlington, VA as certain allergens become more prevalent which tend to cause an increase in allergy symptoms in certain allergic individuals. In the Washington, DC, Northern, VA, and Maryland metro area, mid-August marks the time of the year when ragweed begins to pollinate. The ragweed pollen levels will steadily increase and generally peak in late September, and then gradually decrease and usually vanish upon the first frost in late October. In addition, mold spores are important allergens in the Fall in the DC area, which is why many seek an allergist in Arlington, VA during this time of year. Since Washington, DC was built on a swamp, there is always mold in the Washington, DC metro area environment, however, the mold levels increase during the rains in the Spring, during the hot humid Summers, and during the Fall, especially when the leaves on the trees fall to the ground. When the leaves fall onto the ground and become damp, the leaves decay producing an increase in the amount of leaf mold. When people rake these leaves in the Fall, it stirs up the leaves which subsequently increases the mold exposure to an individual which can give rise to an increase in their allergic rhinitis (hay fever)allergic conjunctivitis, or asthma symptoms.

Turn to an allergist in Arlington, VA if you have these symptoms:
The typical symptoms that one may experience may include: sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, itchy nose, itchy eyes, watery eyes, puffy eyes, redness of the eyes, sinus pressure, sinus pain, fatigue, snoring, itchy throat, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and/or shortness of breath. Many people develop sinus infections during this period as well. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be time to consult an allergist in Arlington, VA that the community trusts. The diagnosis of Fall allergies can be made by seeing a board certified allergist in Arlington, VA, such as the ones at Black & Kletz Allergy. The allergy doctors will take a thorough history and perform a physical examination. Allergy testing either by blood or skin testing can be done in order to find out if and what the offending allergens may be. Environmental prevention measures are discussed with patients and medications are usually prescribed in the form of tablets, capsules, syrups, powders, nasal sprays, eye drops, and/or lung inhalers. Allergy immunotherapy (i.e., allergy shots, allergy injections, allergy desensitization) is a very effective treatment modality to treat and prevent unwanted annoying allergy and/or asthma symptoms. They are effective in 80-85% of patients on them and they have been around for over 100 years. They are used in all ages from little children through the elderly. The average length of time that patients are on allergy immunotherapy is between 3-5 years, however, some individuals are on allergy shots longer.

Contact an Allergist in Arlington, VA Today
The allergy specialists at Black & Kletz Allergy specialize in both adults and children and have been taking care of the allergy, asthma, sinus, and immunology needs of the DC metro area for over 50 years. Tysons Corner, VA, Gainesville, VA, Falls Church, VA residents as well as people from the rest of the Washington, DC metropolitan area see us at one of our 3 offices with locations in Washington, DC, McLean, VA, (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA. We have on-site parking at each office and the Washington, DC and McLean, VA offices are Metro accessible. There is a free shuttle that runs between our McLean office and the Springhill metro station on the silver line. Please call one of our offices to make an appointment to see one of our highly qualified board certified allergists in Arlington, VA or you can click Request an Appointment and we will respond back to you within 24 hours of the next business day. If you are in need of an allergist in Arlington, VA, turn to Black & Kletz Allergy for a professional and caring environment with high quality innovative allergy, asthma, and immunology care.

Climate Change and Allergic Disease | Allergist Tysons Corner VA

The Allergists Tysons Corner VA Trust Explain the Effects of Climate Change on Your Allergies
The climate in places like Tysons Corner, VA, Falls Church, VA, and Gainesville, VA, as well as the rest of the Washington, DC metropolitan area, plays a significant role in producing allergens that annoy sensitized individuals.  The DC metro area was built on a swamp and there tends to be high counts of mold spores throughout the year, particularly from the Spring through the Fall.  Our humid Summers also account for excessive mold growth.  Pollen production is also a major problem in the Washington, DC metro area, mostly in the Spring and Fall.

Though there are still some unresolved controversies, the preponderance of evidence indicates that our climate has steadily changed over the past several decades and it is likely to continue to change in the near future.  This climate change has the potential to alter the incidence and severity of allergic and respiratory diseases in humans in the following ways:

  1. Climate warming and higher carbon dioxide levels will lead to longer pollen seasons.
  2. More hot summer days will generate ozone which triggers more flare-ups of breathing difficulties for people with chronic respiratory conditions like asthma.
  3. With rising sea levels and changes in rainfall patterns, mold allergies are likely to increase.
  4. Warming conditions may lead to the increased prevalence of biting and stinging insects, as well as the potential for more infectious tropical diseases that are transmitted by mosquitoes (e.g., Zika virus, chikungunya, dengue fever, encephalitis, malaria).
  5. The effect of fewer cold winter days on respiratory infections from viruses and bacteria is unpredictable.

More energy efficient and tighter homes will lead to an increase in indoor air pollution.  Accumulation of volatile organic compounds, radon gas, smoke, particulates, and protein allergens will increase the risk of respiratory illnesses.  In addition, higher water vapor and moisture levels will increase dust mite populations and cause an escalation of mold growth.

“Green practices” like composting facilities may cause increased respiratory diseases through the increased fungal burden that they put into the air.  Burning wood produces harmful chemicals including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and formaldehyde.  Inhaling particles coated with these chemicals contribute to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (i.e., bronchitis, emphysema).

Ragweed flowers earlier and produces more pollen in urban locations where carbon dioxide concentrations and temperatures are higher.  The same effect can be seen with other allergenic species including poison ivy.

Whatever the coming changes may bring, a few proven environmental control measures such as keeping the indoor humidity lower to limit dust mite and mold growth, as well as decreasing outdoor activities on high pollen days, can help minimize allergic symptoms and reduce the need for medications.
Contact a Top Allergist Tysons Corner VA Relies On
The board certified allergists Tysons Corner VA trusts at Black & Kletz Allergy see patients from Tysons Corner, VA, Falls Church, VA, and Gainesville, VA as well as many other cities and towns in the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area. They are ready to work with you in teaching you how to improve your environment which subsequently will help relieve your allergic and asthmatic symptoms.  The allergy doctors at Black & Kletz Allergy treat both adults and children.  We have offices in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA.  All of our offices offer on-site parking and the Washington, DC and McLean, VA locations are Metro accessible.  There is a free shuttle that runs between our McLean, VA office and the Springhill metro station on the silver line.  Please call one of our convenient offices to make an appointment or if you prefer, you can click Request an Appointment and we will respond within 24 hours.  Black & Kletz Allergy has been providing excellent allergy and asthma care to the general population of the greater DC area for more than 50 years in a caring and professional setting.