PHX Reporter

• September is one of the three months where Scottsdale residents might have to deal with higher pollen counts.
• If you struggle with sinusitis, it's encouraged to get tested for allergies by an ENT doctor.
• For those diagnosed with allergies, there are minimally invasive treatment options available that can lead to a better quality of life.

With Scottsdale allergies being year round it's likely that those with sinusitis are having to deal with extra inflammation, especially in the more triggering months. Dr. John Stewart, of Arizona Breathe Free, said the Scottsdale area has changed quite a bit within the past few decades in regards to pollen.

"Part of the overall evaluation of the sinuses, especially here in the valley, is checking [patients] for allergies," Stewart said. "The valley has changed a lot in the last 30 to 40 years. If you flew over the metropolitan Phoenix area 30 or 40 years ago, it was a desert with a lot of buildings in the downtown area and standard working-class homes. If you fly over [the city] now, it looks like an oasis in the middle of a desert surrounded by pollen."

Allergies in Scottsdale can run year round, according to Wyndly. However, the months that have exceptionally high pollen counts are April, May and September. With September coming up, they noted the main thing to look out for this time of year in the area is specific trees, ragweed and Bermuda grass.

The 50 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies might experience sneezing, coughing, congestion, itchy eyes, a runny nose and fatigue, according to Yale Medicine. People who need to undergo testing for allergies typically have two options. One option is is a skin prick test, during which a doctor will insert a tiny amount of potential allergens under the skin of the patient's upper arm. The skin will become red and swollen if the patient has an allergy, and patients typically have their results within one to two days. 

The other option is a blood test, during which the patient's blood is drawn and tested for allergens in a lab. Although this testing method takes longer, it allows doctors to test for more allergens than during a skin test, according to Yale Medicine.

Symptoms of allergies can vary depending on the specific substance and may impact various parts of your body, including your airways, sinuses, nasal passages, skin and digestive system, according to Mayo Clinic. Allergic responses can span a spectrum from mild to severe, and can include sneezing, an itchy or runny nose and watery or swollen eyes.

For patients dealing with allergies, there are minimally invasive treatment options available that can give them a better quality of life. One of these treatment options is the balloon sinuplasty, which is a safe and minimally invasive procedure utilized by surgeons to address chronic sinusitis, according to Nuffield Health. During the process, doctors insert a guide wire equipped with a small balloon into the nostrils and navigate it to the area of blockage.