Why do we get allergies throughout life and what can we do about them? If you already have allergies you may want to try food and/or environ

I know what you are thinking…Dr.McMahon, it’s -6 degrees…I’m not suffering from allergies while it’s this cold!! While it’s true you aren’t suffering from outdoor allergies, inside your home is filled with allergy triggers. Spending time indoors during the frigid Minnesota winters means cozying up with indoor offenders such as mold, pet dander and dust mites! That’s right, itchy/watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing can be just as prevalent in the winter. One of the most impor

Tis the season! With the holiday season just around the corner, millions of Americans are preparing to gather for feasts, decorate their homes and travel to visit relatives. With that in mind, there are many common myths that surround the season. Here are 4 common holiday allergy myths debunked that will help keep your season jolly! 1. Myth: Water chestnuts are a nut. Fact: Although the name refers to them as a nut, they are not a nut at all; they are a vegetable that is grow

May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness month. While you often hear about allergies this time of the year, it is still vital to learn about asthma! Did you know that 18.7 million adults and 6.8 million children in the U.S. have asthma? That equates to 8% of adults and 9.3% of children in the U.S are affected by asthma. The majority of those with asthma have an allergic component meaning that animal dander, mold, dust or pollens triggers asthma symptoms. Many are also tri

As the snow is finally gone, many of us are excited to spend time outdoors. However, for those with outdoor mold and tree pollen allergies this time of year can be miserable. Common signs of allergies are runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, mouth or ears. Here are a five tips to help make spring more enjoyable. 1) Start your medications early if advised by your physician. Antihistamines such as Zyrtec, Claritin and Allegra work quickly but normally only last 1

I could write about asthma for days as this is one of the main reasons I went into medicine. I had very severe asthma when I was young and my great experiences with various doctors led me down the path of becoming a doctor. Fortunately, my asthma is now mild, as is the case with a large percent of males. Unfortunately, this is not the case with females. People are investigating it now, but we are uncertain why a large percentage of males ‘outgrow’ asthma between the ages of 1

Wouldn’t it be nice to get rid of environmental allergies forever? Well, we have that ability now with allergy shots. Allergy shots work by giving a very small amount of the allergens you test positive to in increasing doses until your body becomes immune to them. Allergy shots have been around for over 100 years and research proves they work in about 85-90% of individuals. I myself underwent allergy shots when I was about 12 years old. For those of you that fear needles, rel

Finding treats without tricks can be a challenge on Halloween night for kids. 1 in 13 children in the United States suffer from food allergies. With this statistic being so high, it's important that there is proper education around this subject. Below are some tips and fun facts as well as Halloween treat ideas that keep food allergies in mind. Tips and Fun Facts: Different sizes of the exact same treat may contain different ingredients. Example: Small or fun sized Wonka Laff

Peanut allergies are on the rise and are not only a hot topic in society but amongst allergy specialists. There are multiple studies throughout the U.S. investigating this rise and what to do about it. It turns out that early and often exposure to peanuts may be beneficial. Children in Israel often eat foods with peanut flour in them when they are very young and the rate of peanut allergy is considerably less there than it is in the U.S. I am currently recommending to most o

Achoo! Have you noticed yourself sneezing more, getting itchy and watery red eyes? How about a runny or blocked nose or an itchy throat after being outside? If you answered yes, chances are you may be experiencing allergies...specifically, Hay fever. Hay fever is in full swing by-mid August and will go until the first frost. Did you know that it is called ‘Hay fever’ because people used to get symptoms of nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, and fatigue around the time t