Windom Allergy, Asthma, Sinus

The less hectic pace of summer could be just the right time to consider taking a definitive step to control your allergies.  If you have allergic asthma, runny nose/hay fever, or sinus problems, you probably have a medicine cabinet full of antihistamines, inhalers, and nose sprays to help you limp through the various allergy seasons.  Is there a better answer?  Yes, there is, and it’s called desensitization. Allergen desensitization has been around for over 100 years, often referred to as allergen immunotherapy or allergy shots.  This remains the most effective way to ‘turn off’ your airborne allergies.  Another option, for those...

We are VERY excited to introduce a new, amazing physician to our Windom Allergy family, Dr. Tara Saco.  Dr. Saco is finishing her Allergy/Immunology fellowship at the University of South Florida (USF), where she has been under the watchful eyes of Drs. Windom, Fergeson and Ly for the past two years in their role as clinical faculty.  Like Duke’s Zion Williamson or a Heisman Trophy winner, everyone knew Dr. Saco would be a top pick coming out of USF.  We’re thrilled we got her. Besides being an overall brilliant physician, Dr. Saco has a unique interest in mast cell disease.  She...

Spring is in the air, and so are billions of tiny pollens that trigger allergy symptoms in millions of people. Our tree pollen season has arrived with oak pollen being the most problematic this time of year! Symptoms may include runny nose, sneezing, stuffy nose, itchy watery eyes, and dark circles under the eyes. For those with asthma, symptoms may include wheezing, cough and chest tightness. There are also simple steps you can take to limit your exposure to the pollen or molds that cause your symptoms: • Keep your windows closed at night and if possible, use air conditioning, which...

Congratulations to Dr. Fergeson and colleagues on the success of their article “The Electronic Cigarette: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” which was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice . This article was one of the top cited articles in 2017 and has provided the medical community with valuable information on the risks and benefits of electronic cigarette use in asthmatic smokers and highlights what questions still need to be answered.   Electronic cigarettes (EC) are battery-powered nicotine delivery systems that have increased in popularity since they entered the US market. EC has been reported...

Do you know anyone who has had shingles?  If so, you know how miserable the skin and nerve ending condition can make you for weeks to months.  Shingles is the reactivation of childhood chickenpox, occurring at any age in adults, but most commonly after age 50.  There is no effective treatment for shingles, but there is prevention.  A new vaccine, Shingrix, is coming out in 2018 for people over 50, even those that have had shingles or the earlier Zostavax vaccine (yes, the new one is so superior it is still recommended if you had the older one).  Shingrix is given...

How exciting! Gulf Coast Family Living Magazine has published their 2017 reader’s choice awards for area's best in health and wellness! Windom Allergy, Asthma and Sinus was the winner for allergy specialists.

Holiday travel, gatherings and decorations can be problematic for those with allergies and asthma. Here are a few tips on how to avoid potential triggers:   Travel.   Allergies to pet dander and dust mite are worse during the winter when there is less ventilation. Pet allergen can be carried in the air, on clothes and in hair. Dust mite exposure increases during the holidays when we travel, spend time in hotel rooms and in other people’s beds.  When traveling, remember to take your allergy medication and consider bringing your own pillow with an allergen-proof cover, or request a down-free pillow...

Back to school - With school back in session, here at Windom Allergy that means, bring on the contagious respiratory diseases.  Once one child has a ‘cold’, the rest of the class is sure to follow.  Kids with asthma are hit the hardest since viral infections almost always trigger asthma attacks.  Throw in all the rain we’re having and the subsequent burst of mold spores, and our allergic asthma patients are in for a double whammy.  At the first sign of a ‘cold’, we encourage our asthma kids to start their maintenance medication (usually an inhaled steroid) or increase the dose...

Born in Sarasota, FL.  Attended Phillippi Shores Elementary, Brookside Middle and Riverview High School.  Graduated High School in 1990, Manatee Community College in 1992 and University of Central Florida in 1995. I have known my husband since 1989 and although he went to Fruitville Elementary, McIntosh Middle and Sarasota High, we have been married since 1995.  I have 2 amazing children, Toni and Tyler, and a pet rabbit named “Mr. Nibbles”. My hobbies include Amusement Parks with my kids, theatre,  boating & fishing.  Sports/Activities growing up included Dance, Competitive Gymnastics, Softball, Racquetball, Tennis, Volleyball, Surfing, Cheerleading and I performed in the...

Dr. Windom was appointed to a 2-year term as Vice-Chair of the Practice, Diagnostics and Therapeutics committee and the same position for the Ethics Committee of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.