AllergyMD
A patient-reference library from a board-certified allergist-immunologist in Springfield, Missouri.
Videos
Four short pieces that an allergist may discuss at an office visit.
Why Melon and Banana Make Your Mouth Itch (Oral Allergy Syndrome)
Itchy mouth after melon, banana, or cantaloupe is often a food allergy from ragweed cross-reactivity — oral allergy syndrome.
Watch on the food allergy page.
What Ragweed Actually Looks Like — and Why It Ruins Your Fall
Ragweed, not goldenrod, is the main fall pollen in Southwest Missouri.
Watch on common allergens in Southwest Missouri.
How to Use a Nasal Spray Correctly (Most People Get This Wrong)
Aim, angle, and a slow breath — most people spray the septum and then quit the medicine.
Watch on allergic rhinitis.
Does Allergy Skin Testing Hurt? What to Expect
What testing actually looks like, start to finish. No needles on the prick test.
Watch on what is an allergist.
More on the Videos page and the AllergyMD YouTube channel.
A short word on skin testing
Skin testing is how allergists match symptoms to a cause. The usual first step is a prick (or scratch) test on the surface of the skin — not a shot. If a test is relevant, a small itchy bump can show up within about 15 minutes. Many people are surprised that allergy skin tests don't really hurt.
Library topics
Ready now
- Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
- Non-allergic rhinitis
- Common allergens in Southwest Missouri
- Food allergy, including oral allergy syndrome
- Asthma
- Chronic sinusitis
- Primary immunodeficiency
- Hypereosinophilic disorders
- What is an allergist?
- All topics
On the library list (short holding pages; more here soon)
Chronic cough · Headache · Eczema · Contact dermatitis · Hives · Anaphylaxis · Medication allergy · Insect sting allergy · Nasal polyps · Mastocytosis · Hereditary angioedema
About this library
William Micka, MD is certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology and the American Board of Internal Medicine. He has practiced allergy and immunology in Springfield, Missouri since 2009, caring for adults and children. This site is a written companion to the AllergyMD videos.
For clinic appointments see springfieldallergy.com.