America's Allergist Blog

Colorado has been experiencing a significant amount of rain the last couple of weeks. While this is good for farmers, it also means everything is blooming and pollen is in the air. As it continues to rain and the air is humid, mold is prone to grow. Mold grows year round, indoor and out, but is worse outdoors during the summer and fall. Allergy symptoms include sneezing, runny/stuffy nose and itchy, watery eyes. If mold allergies are not treated, they can cause further health problems. You can keep your house free of mold by using fans when showering and cooking,...

Melanoma is a common, serious form of skin cancer that develops in the cells where melanin is produced. It can also develop in the eyes and sometimes the internal organs. It is most common in places that have had sun exposure, including the back, face, arms and legs. For those with darker skin, it can appear in spots that do not see much sun, including the bottoms of your feet, between your toes, scalp, fingernail beds and palms of your hands. Moles tend to be a tan, brown or black color with a distinct outline. They are normally round or...

Heat rash, also known as miliaria or prickly heat, is when the skin develops a prickly or stinging sensation after overheating. It occurs most often in hot and humid climates. Those who are most likely to experience heat rash include infants in incubators, active people and bedridden people with fevers. Heat rash starts with excessive sweating that causes the ducts in the sweat glands to become blocked. The sweat then moves into surrounding tissue and irritates the skin. The rash appears as tiny bumps surrounded by red skin. Heat rash typically appears on skin that is covered by clothes and...

Summer is here and the weather is warming up! This means more outdoor activities, sports and heat injuries. Heat stroke is when the body temperature reaches 105 degrees or higher. It is a serious injury caused by dehydration and extensive sun exposure in high temperatures. Heat stroke occurs mostly with people over the age of 50, but it can also affect young athletes. Heat stroke can cause: • Fainting • nausea and vomiting • confusion/disorientation • loss of consciousness • painful headache • hot, red skin • muscle cramps and weakness • seizures • fast heartbeat • shortness of breath • coma • brain and organ damage • sometimes death If you notice...

The peak of summer is here which means wildfires for many states and countries. This can put a damper on summer plans for those with asthma and other respiratory or health conditions. Colorado is normally at high risk for fires throughout the summer. Currently, the California and Washington wildfires are causing particles to spread into Colorado air. This is causing an ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ air quality alert. When the air quality is unhealthy, it is important for infants, elderly and those with health problems to stay indoors. If smoke builds up in your neighborhood, avoid going outside. If visibility...