Allergies, asthma care available via Center for Healthy Living, Anthem ConditionCare

When spring arrives, it tends to bring sunshine and warmer weather, along with allergy and asthma triggers. As the trees and flowers begin to bloom, the pollen count starts to climb, and for many, the result is seasonal allergy suffering and/or increased asthma issues.

According to Nisha Bogosian, nurse practitioner at the Center for Healthy Living on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus, allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes, congestion, coughing and runny nose are the result of the immune system overreacting to environmental substances such as pollen or pet dander, also known as allergens.

“Those who suffer from allergies all respond differently to the various triggers each individual has,” Bogosian says. “For instance, pollen from one tree can cause a scratchy and sore throat in one person and that same pollen can affect someone else in a completely different way."

Common allergy symptoms according to Bogosian include:

• Itchy eyes and nose.
• Sneezing repeatedly.
• Runny rose.
• Watery eyes.
• Sore or scratchy throat.
• Rash or hives.
• Coughing.

Other symptoms can include not sleeping well, long-lasting cough, pressure in the ears and/or having difficulty hearing, discomfort in face and dark circles under the eyes called allergic shiners.

Cheryl Laszynski, registered nurse and certified asthma educator at CHL, recognizes the discomfort and annoying symptoms caused by allergies, but also points out that those who suffer from both allergies and asthma may notice a flare-up in asthma symptoms.  

 “The two conditions combined can lead to complications,” Laszynski says. “Allergies may trigger an asthma attack by increasing inflammation in the airway. The individual may experience wheezing, tightness in their chest and difficulty breathing. An asthma attack can be life-threatening, so knowing the symptoms and triggers of each allergen and how to limit exposure to them can help individuals live more comfortably.”

To help avoid an asthma attack triggered by an allergy, Laszynski recommends taking steps to avoid the allergens an individual is most sensitive to, such as:

• Staying inside when the pollen levels are high – which tends to be on windy days.
• Closing windows and doors both day and night, using air conditioning to lower the pollen level in the home, and avoiding using fans with an open window.
• Avoiding mowing the grass altogether or wearing a dust mask and using an antihistamine before mowing.
• Showering and changing clothing after working or playing outside.

If you suffer (or think you suffer) from allergies and / or asthma, Purdue provides convenient access to helpful resources.

Center for Healthy Living – allergies and asthma resources

Patients who are having frequent and severe allergy and/or asthma symptoms may meet with a provider or pharmacist at the center to discuss their concerns and the types of over-the-counter treatments they might have already tried.

“Appointments are designed so the patient can discuss his or her symptoms, frequency of symptoms and responses to any medications used to combat the allergies,” Bogosian says. “In some cases, the provider might refer a patient to an allergist and possibly recommend allergy testing in order to determine his or her triggers.” 

There are two types of allergy testing. Skin testing, which is more sensitive and is performed by an allergist, and RAST testing, which is a blood test that looks for the Immunoglobin E levels to certain allergens. The RAST test can be done at the CHL tier 1 lab.

If testing results require allergy injections, the center can assist by providing allergy injections per the referral and approval of the patient's allergist. A patient wishing to get allergy shots at the center will need to discuss with their allergist and complete an allergy documentation packet for the CHL. The allergy shot process – including allergy documentation packet forms – can be found on the CHL website’s “Services” webpage. There is no charge for receiving allergy injections at the Center for Healthy Living.

For more information and education on seasonal allergies and asthma, you may schedule an appointment by calling the center at 765-494-0111 or via the patient portal. The center is open for appointments 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

Regional employees should contact their respective Human Resources offices for allergy and asthma resources and information local to their areas. All employees also can access Anthem’s Care & Cost Finder to search for allergists in their areas.

Anthem ConditionCare – asthma resource

ConditionCare is a no-cost health and wellness program provided by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Purdue’s medical plan administrator. ConditionCare is available to all those covered on a Purdue health care plan and provides help and resources to those living with ongoing health conditions, such as asthma. The program provides:

• 24/7, toll-free phone access to nurses who can answer healthy questions.
• Support from health care professionals to help you reach your health goals.
• Educational guides, electronic newsletters and tools to help you learn more about your condition.

Those interested in using the ConditionCare program should call Anthem toll free at 866-962-0963 to get started. Calls with Anthem are always confidential; the Anthem rep will ask for the individual’s name and date of birth to ensure identity.

Questions

Any questions can be directed to Human Resources at 765-494-2222, toll free at 877-725-0222 or via email at hr@purdue.edu.