Central PA Tops the List

Lancaster, York and Lebanon combined are first on the list of the worst fall allergy cities in the United States, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that there are four Board-certified allergists at Allergy & AsthmaCenter locations in these cities, as well as in the Ephrata, PA area, to treat those who suffer from allergies. They specialize in making life more bearable for allergy sufferers. Allergists include Dr. Stephen D. Lockey, lll, Dr. Clark Kaufman, Dr. Mark J. Titi, Dr. Amanda Bittner and Dr. Laura Fisher.

Dr. Mark Titi says, “The problem comes down to how well our gardens grow here. It’s good for agriculture, but a lot of plants that cause the problems, like grasses and weeds, grow on the edges of those farm fields. And the wind carries their pollens far afield.”

It doesn’t help that pollution and elevated ozone levels are also a problem. For example, LancasterCounty consistently fails an annual American Lung Association air-quality test based on pollution and the elevated ozone levelswhich make allergy and asthma attacks worse.

When we till the soil and do our last grass cutting, the problems aren’t over. Fall is the time for molds to grow, especially when we mulch our gardens and flower beds. But if you’re having trouble breathing, you can still live the garden spot of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Titi adds, “If you’ve had very severe allergies and the usual treatments aren’t helping very well; if you’re having complications like sinus headaches or infections, it’s time to see a specialist.If there’s an association of lower respiratory conditions like asthma; or if you need multiple medications and are having side effects from those medications, it’s time to see a specialist.” Allergy & AsthmaCenter is central Pennsylvania’s largest, most experienced allergy practice with offices in Lancaster, York , Lebanon and the Ephrata area.

There, a Board-certified allergist will take a detailed medical history, ask you about your symptoms and examine you. There may be skin tests, blood tests, tests to check your lungs and possibly x-rays, all intended to help you deal with your particular allergies. It may be as simple as issue avoidance or it may involve longer term therapy that retrains the immune system, so that you no longer react to the substances causing the allergic reactions.

Dealing with these problems successfully is what we can do for you.

Click here for more cities on the list and how they were selected.

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