Arizona Asthma and Allergy Institute

08/18/2026

Please Join Us in Welcoming Our Newest Provider!
We are excited to welcome Courtney McConnell, PA-C, to the Arizona Asthma & Allergy Institute team! Courtney will begin caring for patients in our Avondale and Surprise offices late August. Courtney is a board-certified Physician Assistant who earned her Master of PA studies from Touro University Nevada. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience.
Before joining AAAI, Courtney practiced in both general Pediatrics and Allergy, Asthma & Immunology in Las Vegas. She is passionate about providing compassionate, patient-centered care and building strong relationships with her patients to help them achieve their best health.
Originally from southeastern Michigan, Courtney enjoys reading, working out, watching nature documentaries, spending time outdoors with her husband and their dog and cheering on the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Lions, Utah Mammoth and Michigan Wolverines.
We are thrilled to have Courtney join our team and look forward to the exceptional care she will provide for our patients. Help us by giving her a warm welcome when you see her in our Avondale and Surprise offices!

08/04/2026

August in Arizona: Extreme heat, monsoons, and allergies!

August in Arizona brings more than just extreme heat - it also marks the start of monsoon season. Wind, dust, mold spores, and pollen can trigger sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, and even asthma flare-ups. The extreme heat in the summer can also worsen underlying chronic health conditions for patients, especially those with asthma or skin diseases.

Here are some tips to help reduce symptoms:
-Keep windows closed during windy days and dust storms
-Shower and change clothes after spending time outdoors
-Check local air quality and pollen forecasts before outdoor activities
-Stay on top of your allergy, asthma, and skin medications

If your allergies are interfering with sleep, work, or enjoying summer, it may be time to see an allergist. Allergy testing can help identify your triggers and create a personalized treatment plan so you can breathe easier all year long!

07/02/2026

Are allergies causing your headaches?

Many people with allergies experience headaches, especially during allergy season. When allergens such as pollen, mold, dust mites, or pet dander trigger inflammation in the nose and sinuses, congestion and pressure can develop. This pressure may lead to facial pain, headaches, or a feeling of fullness around the eyes and forehead.

Researchers have also found a connection between allergies and migraines. People with allergic rhinitis (also known as "hay fever") are more likely to experience migraines than those without allergies. The exact reason is not fully understood, but allergy-related inflammation may activate nerves involved in migraine attacks.

It is important to know that not every headache in someone with allergies is caused by sinus problems. In fact, many headaches that patients believe are "sinus headaches" are actually migraines.

If you experience frequent headaches, facial pressure, or migraines along with allergy symptoms, talk with your allergy specialist. Proper diagnosis and treatment of allergies may help reduce your headaches!

06/09/2026

05/04/2026

What Is Hereditary Angioedema (HAE)?

Swelling can be scary, especially when it happens suddenly. Most of the time, swelling of the skin (like lips, eyes, or hands) is caused by something common, like allergies or a virus. But in rare cases, swelling may be due to a condition called hereditary angioedema, or HAE for short. HAE is a genetic condition, which means it can run in families. It happens when the body is missing or not using a protein that helps control swelling. Because of this, the body can swell suddenly without a clear reason. Thankfully, most swelling is not HAE. But if swelling keeps happening, lasts a long time, or does not respond to allergy medicines, it’s important to look deeper.

HAE causes episodes of swelling in different parts of the body. This can include the face, lips, eyelids, hands, feet, stomach, or throat. Unlike typical allergic or viral-induced swelling, HAE swelling usually does not itch, usually does not come with hives, and can last longer (usually 2-5 days). HAE is rare, but it can be serious. The good news is that there are plenty of safe and effective treatments for HAE. If you have recurrent swelling, a family history of swelling, or swelling that does not respond to allergy treatments - you should see an allergist!

03/16/2026

Food allergies can be frightening for families, especially with so much confusing or conflicting information online. Many common beliefs about food allergies are actually myths. An allergist can help sort through the misinformation, provide accurate testing and guidance, and create a clear plan to keep patients safe. This month, we'd like to share information on some common myths or misconceptions about food allergy:

Food allergies aren’t limited to peanuts. Many foods (like milk, eggs, and tree nuts) can cause serious reactions.

Reactions don’t always become worse with each exposure. Severity can vary from one reaction to another.

Simply smelling a food or being in the same room as a food rarely causes an allergic reaction. Most food allergens do not become airborne.

Antihistamines cannot treat anaphylaxis. The correct treatment for severe reactions is epinephrine.

Food allergy tests cannot predict reaction severity. They only help determine the likelihood of an allergy.

Food allergy and food intolerance are different. Intolerances do not involve the immune system and are usually less dangerous. Unfortunately, there is no accurate or reliable test for most food intolerances.

Precautionary labels like “may contain” are not standardized, so the risk varies between products. Some of these products can contain trace ingredients, and the others don't.

Early introduction of certain foods in infancy may help prevent allergies, and infants can be evaluated for food allergies at any age - there is no need to wait until they are 1 year old!

02/16/2026

Pet Allergy: Separating Fact and Fiction
Did you know that there is no such thing as a “hypoallergenic” pet? This is often a marketing term used by breeders, but there is no truth to it! ALL dogs and cats produce allergens, which are tiny proteins that can cause allergic reactions. These proteins are in their skin, saliva, urine and other body secretions such as tears. Even hairless cats or dogs that shed very little still produce allergens. That means there is no breed that is completely safe for people with allergies.

Most people think pet hair is the problem, but it’s actually the proteins attached to the fur and skin. When pets groom themselves or move around the house, allergens get into the air and settle on furniture, carpets, and clothing. That’s why even “low-shedding” pets can trigger symptoms.

Allergic reactions to pets can include: sneezing, runny and stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes, skin reactions such as hives, and even asthma symptoms such as cough and wheezing. Asthma can also be more difficult to control in those who are allergic to their pets.

If you already have a pet or are thinking of getting one, there are ways to reduce exposure and manage symptoms:

Keep pets out of the bedroom

Use HEPA air purifiers

Vacuum regularly with a HEPA-filter vacuum

Wash hands after touching your pet

Groom and bathe pets as appropriate

Wash bedding and soft surfaces often

Consider allergy medications or immunotherapy (allergy shots)

Even though there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat or dog - Many people with mild to moderate allergies successfully live with their pets. The key is knowing your sensitivities and taking steps to reduce allergens in your home. Seeing an allergist before bringing a pet home can help you make the best choice for your health!

01/28/2026

Can allergy shots help my seasonal allergy symptoms?
Do you sneeze a lot? Have itchy eyes, a runny nose, or trouble breathing because of allergies? If allergy medicines don't seem to help enough, allergen immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots may be a good option for you.

Allergy shots, or immunotherapy, help your body learn to react better to things you're allergic to, such as pollens, dust mites, mold, or pet dander. Allergy shots are regular injections that contain a very small amount of the allergen that causes your symptoms. At first, the dose is very small. Over time, the amount slowly increases. This helps your immune system get used to the allergen instead of overreacting to it.

Allergy shots treat the cause of allergies, not just the symptoms. Many allergy medicines only cover up symptoms for a short time. Allergy shots work differently. Over time, your body becomes less sensitive, so you feel better when exposed to allergens. This not only translates to less symptoms, but also often means less medications! In addition, allergy shots can lead to long-lasting relief and even help asthma.

If your allergies are really holding you back and you want to do more, you should talk to your allergist to see if you would be a good candidate for allergy shots!

12/22/2025

Combating winter dryness
We already have dryness here in the desert, but this can get much worse in the winter months. You may notice your nose feels dry, irritated, or be prone to nosebleeds in the winter time. Also, your skin may be excessively dry and eczema harder to control.

Winter air causes problems because during the winter months, outdoor air has less moisture while indoor heating can cause more dryness. Therefore, our skin and nasal passes can become dry and make our allergy symptoms feel even worse. So what can you do?

Using a humidifier daily can help add moisture to the air. Just make sure you are cleaning them regularly!

Keep your nose moisturized with saline spray or gel daily

Make sure you are using proper technique on any medicated nasal sprays to minimize side effects like dryness

Stay well hydrated!

Limit strong fragrances, sprays, smoke and harsh cleaning products that can cause more irritation

Keep skin moisturized with gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer. Applying lotion after every shower or bath can help lock in the extra moisturization that your skin needs!

If you continue to have problems related to nasal dryness or irritation or worsening skin problems, be sure to connect with your allergist for more advice!

10/27/2025

What Are Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps are soft, non-cancerous growths that form inside your nose or sinuses. They can get quite large and can block your nose, making it hard to breathe. You might also have a runny or stuffy nose, pressure in your face, or lose your sense of smell or taste.

Nasal polyps are more common in people with asthma, allergies, or frequent sinus infections. Sometimes, they happen with a condition called AERD (aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease). Nasal polyps are more common in patients with asthma or allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

Doctors usually treat polyps with steroid nose sprays to help shrink them. If that doesn’t work, there are other specialized medications, called biologics, that can be used if needed to help reduce symptoms and polyp size. Surgery can remove large polyps and help you breathe better. However, polyps can come back after surgery! So regular follow-up care and preventative medication is important.

With the right treatment, most people with nasal polyps feel much better and can breathe easier again and may be able to avoid surgery! If you have symptoms that don’t go away, talk to your allergist about your symptoms.