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Hi Folks,
I've posted previously about the possibility that my eye condition (diagnozed as MGD and blepharitus), asthma and "hay fever" symptoms may, at least in part, be a set of allergic responses to some sort of trigger(s). An opthamalogical specialist made a very general comment about this prospect during a visit. Work-related travel in recent months has made clear that environmental factors somehow seem to dramatically affect the condition of my eyes, lungs, congestion levels, etc. Respondents on this board - thanks! - have helped me think through issues related to "the comment," travel and potential next steps.
After visiting with my physician and regular opthamolagist (I trust both of them) about the idea, I went to an allergist this week and had the standard skin tests run for 26 potential allergens. The results are interesting. I've believed for, uh, decades that pollen and other outdoor crap were the major contributors to my asthma and hay fever. But the data indicate that my big issues are indoors. Here's a test result summary across 4 tiers of allergic response for the 26 items:
1. The overwhelmingly top triggers are dust mites and cats. (Not dust cats; you know what I mean.) The allergist said my reaction to these allergens was unusually strong and that these are likely my major sources of allergic congestion, breathing difficulties, itchy and inflamed eyes, sinus headaches......
2. Cockroaches, which I think of as more present in urban settings than my little rural corner of the upper Midwest, make up the second tier.
3. Dogs and pollen from maple trees.
4. Everything else, including ragweed, all sorts of grasses, different pollens and, tested separately, goats and cows. These items had zero to minimal responses, altho the allergist said such non-triggers can sometimes function in conjunction with more serious triggers to produce a marvelous potpourri of allergic responses.
At the allergist's recommendation, I've made some adjustments to my asthma and allergy meds. He's also recommending an annual regimen of allergy shots. There's a whole batch of things I can do on the home front, e.g., our indoor cats, as of Monday, are now outside cats. My plan at this point is to get input from my primary physician and my opthamologist again to see how/if the whole program makes sense. For instance, I can imagine a scenario in which meds help me effectively address the "triggers" while my eyes get drier on a daily basis.
Best,
- William
I've posted previously about the possibility that my eye condition (diagnozed as MGD and blepharitus), asthma and "hay fever" symptoms may, at least in part, be a set of allergic responses to some sort of trigger(s). An opthamalogical specialist made a very general comment about this prospect during a visit. Work-related travel in recent months has made clear that environmental factors somehow seem to dramatically affect the condition of my eyes, lungs, congestion levels, etc. Respondents on this board - thanks! - have helped me think through issues related to "the comment," travel and potential next steps.
After visiting with my physician and regular opthamolagist (I trust both of them) about the idea, I went to an allergist this week and had the standard skin tests run for 26 potential allergens. The results are interesting. I've believed for, uh, decades that pollen and other outdoor crap were the major contributors to my asthma and hay fever. But the data indicate that my big issues are indoors. Here's a test result summary across 4 tiers of allergic response for the 26 items:
1. The overwhelmingly top triggers are dust mites and cats. (Not dust cats; you know what I mean.) The allergist said my reaction to these allergens was unusually strong and that these are likely my major sources of allergic congestion, breathing difficulties, itchy and inflamed eyes, sinus headaches......
2. Cockroaches, which I think of as more present in urban settings than my little rural corner of the upper Midwest, make up the second tier.
3. Dogs and pollen from maple trees.
4. Everything else, including ragweed, all sorts of grasses, different pollens and, tested separately, goats and cows. These items had zero to minimal responses, altho the allergist said such non-triggers can sometimes function in conjunction with more serious triggers to produce a marvelous potpourri of allergic responses.
At the allergist's recommendation, I've made some adjustments to my asthma and allergy meds. He's also recommending an annual regimen of allergy shots. There's a whole batch of things I can do on the home front, e.g., our indoor cats, as of Monday, are now outside cats. My plan at this point is to get input from my primary physician and my opthamologist again to see how/if the whole program makes sense. For instance, I can imagine a scenario in which meds help me effectively address the "triggers" while my eyes get drier on a daily basis.
Best,
- William
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