Cedar Allergies, also known as “Austinitis” 

Itchy, red, sometimes painful eyes…  Sneezing and sinus congestion and runny nose… Sometimes even with dry cough and wheezing, and just the general fatigue and not feeling well…  The typical allergy season can last from late December to mid February.  So what is one to do?

1.  Staying inside may help.
2. Over the counter remedies:  (Oral anti-histamines both daytime and nighttime.  Allergy eye drops for those itchy, red eyes)
3. Nasal steroid inhalers to try to decrease the inflammation. 
4. Prescription eye drops, if the over the counter drops just aren’t working. 
5. Prescription oral steroid inhalers for people with asthma/reactive airway disease, who get that dry cough or even an asthma flare up.
6. Steroid pills or a steroid shot, if the above remedies don’t work.The goal is to reduce the inflammation before it gets bad.  You don’t want a sinus infection or acute bronchitis as a result of the allergies.   

Our clinic offers the above treatments, plus:

1.  Allergy testing, using a blood test called the Southwest Panel, which tests common allergies in the greater Austin area; OR
2.  Skin testing, for people who know they have allergies throughout the year and want to consider prevention allergy shots.   

If the over the counter medicines aren’t working, visit our clinic for help from one of our providers.  

We are sorry, if you are suffering with cedar allergies. 

We understand, as we live here too.   

Laura Goodell, M.D.

Bee Caves Medical is now able to offer in-office allergy testing!!  This is NOT a skin prick test.  We are able to test for 36 specific allergens, including inhalants, foods or a combination of them, with one simple blood test.  The patient does not have to be off of their regular allergy medication to be tested, and does not have wait to be scheduled with a specialist.Please ask us for further information regarding our Allergen-Specific testing on your next visit.