First Alert Safety Check: Preparing for seasonal allergies – Dakota News Now

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - More than 100 million people in the United States live with various types of allergies every year, with most suffering from seasonal allergies. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s 2025 Allergy Capitals report details a worsening allergy season for this year.

Each spring, summer and fall, different plants like grass, trees or weeds release pollen to fertilize plants of the same species. But these tiny bits of pollen can be the culprit of your seasonal allergies.

Dr. Daniel Todd at Midwest ENT & Allergy said, “You think about itchy, watery eyes. sneezing, runny nose. It kind of gets you in your filter, so we breathe in our nose is kind of there to warm, filter, and humidify the incoming air, and that filter can get hypersensitive and really bother people.”

Dr. Todd said it’s nearly impossible to avoid these seasonal allergies, but ways to lessen your symptoms include limiting outdoor activities when pollen counts are high, washing your bedding and clothes often, as well as cleaning floors and fabric furniture. The obvious choice, seek help over the counter. 

“Antihistamines are kind of our number one thing, they’re generally over the counter. we kind of always think of Benadryl. The Zyrtec, cetirizine, and the Allegra, fexofenadine, are kinda the newer generation that are somewhat less able to go across the blood-brain barrier, and so they’re less sedating and they’re actually more effective than Benadryl.”

Other items, such as a neti pot or navage can be used to treat your symptoms, as well as a nasal spray.

“The nasal steroid sprays don’t give you a lot of immediate efficacy, it help you two to three days down the road, so it’s something you have to do every day, what’s helping you today is something you sprayed in two, three days ago. you have to do it daily and be compliant, but it’s very effective,” said Dr. Todd.

He also recommends getting tested for your allergies, so you can avoid anything you’re allergic to and even help you seek treatment if necessary. Testing can be through a blood test or a skin prick test. 

“Skin testing is more sensitive and even some insurance companies they insist you do it because it’s kind of the gold standard to test the patient directly,” said Dr. Todd.

For more information on seasonal allergies, click here.

How to deal with your allergies – Keloland Health

KELOLAND HEALTHBEAT - June, 2021

Even with some recent rain, dry weather in KELOLAND has those suffering from allergies seeking help.

Going for a walk, owning a pet or even enjoying a certain food are all things some allergy sufferers may need to think twice about.

After experiencing a few allergy flare-ups herself, Samantha Hof knew it was time to get to the bottom of what was causing them.

“In December of 2019, I got allergy tested and I did the finger, the back pricks. And that’s how I found out my top three allergies are dogs, cats, and horses. Then I’m also allergic to tree nuts,” Samantha Hof said.

Since getting tested, she’s been undergoing allergy shot treatments with Dr. Daniel Todd to help ease symptoms.

“It seems crazy, but if we actually give you weekly injections of, of what you’re allergic to, you become less allergic. You become more tolerant, you become desensitized. And so over time, people, people can become, you know, they can actually undo the primary problem,” Dr. Todd said.

After recently holding an allergy drive, the high attendance of about 65 people proved allergens are in the air this year.

The drive tested for some of the most common allergies, including pollen.

“This year I think it’s been a little higher than last year, for sure, because of the drought I think. And so I think things are more buoyant and things, when the wind’s blowing, there’s more pollens and things in the air that are irritating people,” Dr. Todd said.

He recommends people with mild symptoms start with over the counter medications such as Flonase and antihistamines.
If you have chronic symptoms like Hof, he says getting tested is the best first step.

“You may notice like a life-changing difference, especially if, you want to have pets as you get older or have pets as a family, I would say do it, now if you can,” Hof said.

If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment to be allergy tested, call your allergy physician.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) by: Sophie Heinemann

How to deal with your allergies – Video

 

What is in-office balloon sinus dilation?

Balloon sinus dilation is a minimally invasive treatment for chronic or recurrent sinusitis. In a balloon sinus dilation procedure, your physician uses a small balloon to dilate or expand the sinus opening and drainage pathways to restore sinus drainage.

Balloon sinus dilation can be performed in an office, under local anesthesia.

How does balloon sinus dilation work to treat chronic or recurrent sinusitis?

In chronic and recurrent sinusitis, blocked sinus drainage pathways can prevent effective drainage and healing. When first line medication therapies fail to resolve symptoms and inflammation, or patients experience multiple bouts of sinusitis, balloon sinus dilation may be an appropriate treatment option.

The goal of balloon sinus dilation is to expand the sinus openings and drainage pathways in order to aid drainage and promote healing. After locating the treatment area and applying local anesthesia, your physician will place the small balloon, inflate the balloon to dilate the treatment area, and then deflate and remove the balloon.

How long does the balloon sinus dilation procedure take?

Procedure length is dependent on your specific condition and anatomy. You should expect to spend around one and a half to two hours at the office, to allow time for pre-treatment preparation and post-treatment examination. Consult your physician to better understand the details of your procedure.

What are the benefits of an in-office balloon sinus dilation procedure?

Office based procedures performed under local anesthesia allow you to avoid the negative effects, costs or risks associated with general anesthesia.

Will the procedure require any anesthesia?

Balloon sinus dilation can be performed under local anesthesia, in an office.

In certain circumstances, balloon sinus dilation may also be used in combination with modern sinus surgery tools. In these instances, it may be performed in an operating room, under general anesthesia.

How quickly after treatment can I return to normal activities?

Many patients can resume normal activities immediately. Your doctor may recommend you refrain from very strenuous activities (such as heavy lifting) for a week after the treatment.

Are there any potential risks and complications associated with balloon sinus dilation?

As with any medical intervention, potential risks and complications exist with balloon sinus dilation. All patients should consult their doctors to determine if their conditions present any special risks. Your physician will review potential complications of balloon sinus dilation at consultation. Possible side effects include but are not limited to post-operative bleeding; pain and swelling; allergic reaction to anesthesia or other medications administered during the procedure; or infection.  Your condition may not respond to this treatment.

Is balloon sinus dilation suitable for everyone?

Only your physician can tell you if balloon sinus dilation is a viable option to treat your sinusitis. Experience has shown that many patients with recurring or persistent sinusitis can be treated with balloon sinus dilation.

For more information on balloon sinus dilation, or office based sinus treatments, visit www.SinusSurgeryOptions.com.