Windom Allergy, Asthma, Sinus

INSECT ALLERGIES: The fire ant is a year-round threat here in Florida. Fire ants build subterranean nests with as many as 230,000 insects in residence. When the nest is disturbed, the ants attack in mass and repeatedly sting their victim. Allergic reactions are the result of a specific immune response to the venom injected into the skin. Previous venom exposure is necessary for one to become sensitized, therefore, people can almost always recall a well tolerated sting in the past. Large local swelling and discomfort at the site of a sting is a normal response to the toxins within the venom...

I came to SRQ in 1971 when I married my husband. I moved 17 times before coming here so I lived in many places but was born in IL. I have 2 children and 2 grandchildren that fortunately live here in SRQ. Hobbies are walking, reading and cooking. I have a new puppy that is 6 months old and is named Ellie. My new goals are to travel and take up kayaking.

Once you have reached the highest dose, or maintenance shot, you will receive allergy injections every 2 to 4 weeks depending upon your symptom response. You will be re-evaluated by Dr. Windom 6 months after starting treatment and annually after that time. You should notice improvement in your symptoms by 18 months or shots will be discontinued. After obtaining good results over a period of 5 years, most patients are able to stop the injections with long-lasting benefit. Some patients require starting back on allergy injections. Changes in the allergy vaccine (stronger concentration) or injection schedule (more frequently than monthly) may...

IMMUNOTHERAPY (ALLERGY SHOTS): Hyposensitization or “ allergy shots ” are given to certain selected patients to immunize them against allergens that account for their symptoms. Many allergic patients do not need allergy shots for resolution or treatment of their symptoms. Medications and/or environmental changes are frequently sufficient to control symptoms in these individuals. The only patients who are placed on shots are those in whom other types of therapy have failed or in whom additional therapy is needed. Allergy shots are very effective, but it takes TIME! Hyposensitization means “turning down” the patients allergic recognition of common allergens (pollens, molds, dust,...

Feeling snuffly? Stuffy? The culprit could be Juniper. This common South Florida landscape plant is also an allergan for some people. From:   http://www.south-florida-plant-guide.com/junipers.html These are supremely simple-to-grow plants that don't get too tall, spread wide, and are often used for low-maintenance groundcover plants. Their silvery or blue-green color fades to more of a soft green as the plants mature, and they play an effective, understudy role in landscaping - often surrounding a focal point such as a showy palm or small flowering tree. Builders landscape many new homes in Florida with these plants because of their hardy nature and ease...

Photo: Allergy and Immunology Fellow Dr. Chen Lin examines patient Margaret Bisko at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa, Fla., as Without Compensation Physician Dr. Hugh Windom watches. - See more at: http://www.tampa.va.gov/TAMPA/features/WOC_Docs.asp#sthash.Q7eIsvQO.dpuf The next time you go to the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital Allergy and Immunology Clinic, the doctor you see may be working for free. A group of five physicians leave their private practices to volunteer at the clinic without compensation one to two days a month to treat Veterans and to help train allergy and immunology fellows – new physicians continuing their specialty training.  A...

Here at Sarasota Clinical Research we are enrolling peanut allergic kids from 4-11 years old in a 3 year trial of the peanut patch.  We are the only site in Florida offering patients the opportunity to be in this clinical study.  The dime sized patch is worn daily to gradually desensitize the child to peanut. The peanut patch was highlighted on ABC News with David Muir on 10/31/16 and in the Sarasota Herald Tribune 11/1/16 on page A6. View videos Give Sally a call at 941-927-4888 for more information on this exciting study.

Dr. Jennifer Fergeson will be returning home this summer to begin her Allergy career. The Cardinal Mooney graduate is finishing her Allergy/Immunology fellowship at USF in Tampa in July. We couldn't be happier to welcome Dr. Fergeson to our team!

Have you ever had hives or welts, the itchy red bumps that come and go? The medical term is urticaria and if you’ve had urticaria for > 6 months, call us about a new clinical trial using a once a month shot. No cost to you, in fact, you’re reimbursed for time and travel. Contact Us Today

Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) has a new free resource providing food allergy management information for schools. The power point presentation is geared towards schools, with tips on how to support students with food allergy and confidently respond to food allergy emergencies.  The program can be delivered by school staff, parents, or other health and safety advocate.  At Windom Allergy we are dedicated to educating our patients and the community about food allergy.  Please contact us if you would like us to give the presentation to your local Sarasota school.