Problems with your airways, lungs, and nose can be very distressing and trigger feelings of anxiety or panic. However, most problems such as asthma, chronic hives, and nasal polyps can be treated easily and effectively by an experienced Louisville, KY sinus specialist. One popular medication is called Xolair, and it can significantly reduce your symptoms and help you to function normally throughout the day.

The treatment works because it inhibits histamine, which is the compound that causes many of your distressing symptoms. Although it is safe and effective for adults and teenagers, your nose doctor will do some medical tests to make sure this is the right choice for you. Read on to find out more about it and to discover whether it could be a good fit.

What Conditions Does Xolair Treat? 

Also called Omalizumab, this medicine treats a variety of conditions, most commonly asthma, chronic hives, and nasal polyps. It is designed to reduce allergic responses in the human body and can be given to adults or children over the age of twelve. Omalizumab is not designed to be used in emergencies, and it is instead meant as a regular medication that reduces the symptoms and prevents severe events from occurring in the first place.

The medicine works by preventing Immunoglobin E from binding to its receptors, which inhibits the release of a number of chemicals. One of these is histamine, which causes common symptoms of inflammation like itching, a runny nose, swelling, watery eyes, and difficulty breathing. Once it is administered, it should start working within around one hour.

Asthma

Asthma is a condition that affects a person's ability to breathe. It can occur at any age, and there are many people who start suffering in their childhood. While there is no cure yet, it can be managed effectively with medicines such as Omalizumab, and it isn't life-threatening. Most people will experience occasional issues such as wheezing, coughing, and a tight chest.

If you or your child has such symptoms, you should see a physician specializing in sinus and airway issues, such as Dr. Higgins, as soon as possible because there are several conditions that cause these problems, and it's important to get diagnosed. 

Chronic Hives

Hives are red and itchy spots caused by a skin condition. They can appear and disappear over time and as the condition progresses, but if you haven't been able to get rid of them after six weeks, you are considered to have chronic hives. Again, this condition isn't life-threatening in most cases, but it can significantly affect your ability to function normally during the day and to sleep during the night.

If you suffer from a severe form of this disease, there might be swelling as well as itching, and if this occurs on or near the facial area, it can be dangerous because it can cause the inside of your throat to constrict. You might notice that the condition gets worse with stress, heat, or exercise. Again, you should speak to your sinus specialist if your hives persist for longer than a few weeks, and you might be able to find relief with a treatment such as Omalizumab.

Nasal Polyps

Sometimes, soft growths begin to appear on the inside of the nose. They may start out small, so you don't even notice them, but over time, they can become an issue, causing distressing symptoms such as a blocked or runny nose, a post-nasal drip that makes you want to constantly swallow, frequent nosebleeds, snoring, and a reduced sense of smell or taste.

At first, you may believe that you have simply caught a cold, but once you realize that your symptoms aren't getting any better, you need to visit your sinus specialist. They can do imaging studies to find out whether you are suffering from nasal polyps and then suggest some solutions. In addition to Omalizumab, you might also be offered surgical intervention and other types of medicine.

Do I Need a Prescription? 

Xolair is not a pill or tablet, but instead, it is injected into your body every few weeks. As such, it has to be administered by a professional and cannot be bought at a pharmacy. This is good because your Louisville, KY nose doctor needs to evaluate whether you're a good fit first. They will start by diagnosing your condition and figuring out which treatments are an option. Then, they will most likely do some tests to rule out an allergic reaction.

Before starting you on Omalizumab, your specialist will also take a full medical history, so they have a better idea of what other conditions you have and what medicines you take that could interfere with the effectiveness of this treatment. Certain types of herbal supplements and over-the-counter drugs should be avoided to make sure Omalizumab is both safe and effective.

How Do I Take It?

As mentioned, the treatment will come in the form of an injection, so you will have to go to your sinus specialist's office on a regular basis for your dose. Depending on which condition you suffer from and how severe it is, you might be given one injection every two to four weeks. When you come to the clinic, you'll be able to have your treatment immediately, but Dr. Higgins might ask you to stay for a while afterward in order to monitor your reaction.

Since you've been tested for allergies before, this is just a precautionary measure because we prefer to be extra safe here at Higgins Sinus. You're unlikely to have an issue, and most people can leave and return to their normal activities after having their injection. As the treatment progresses, your nose doctor will regularly check your progress to make sure that the dosage is correct and that Omalizumab is having the desired effect.

How Can My Louisville, KY Nose Specialist Help?

If you or a member of your family starts to experience one of the symptoms listed above, you should visit a specialist who has the tools and knowledge to diagnose your condition. Dr. Higgins has worked with sinus issues for many years and will therefore be able to assess your condition quickly and suggest the relevant medicine. Although Omalizumab is a great option, he will do a full evaluation before suggesting it.

What's more, he might combine several different treatments in order to address both the causes and the symptoms of your problem. There are a number of minimally invasive types of surgeries and interventions now available, which can help you to get rid of nasal polyps for good. The best way to get started is to book your initial appointment and bring all relevant medical documents with you.

Asthma, chronic hives, and nasal polyps can affect the way you function, and in severe cases, they can restrict your breathing and therefore present a danger to your health. In Louisville, KY, we can help you to reduce the symptoms by offering you Xolair, an injectable medicine that blocks histamine and therefore reduces the issue.

Call or message us today at Higgins Sinus to book an appointment with our sinus specialist, Dr. Thomas S. Higgins. He specializes in these kinds of issues and can offer you the best course of treatment possible.



Thomas S. Higgins, MD, MSPH

Father. Husband. Sinusitis Nerd.