If you've lived in St. Louis for any length of time, you already know: this city is no friend to your sinuses. Between the rain, the mold counts, and the seasonal pollen swings, our community comes with a price tag for millions of allergy sufferers. Barbara Jordan, RMA, the allergy specialist at Dr. Sean Bailey's Kirkwood practice, offers advice for navigating aggravating allergies.
Is allergy season actually a season, or is this a year-round problem?
Allergy season can run year-round. It spikes in spring and fall, but our mold counts are entirely dependent on the weather. With all the rain we've been getting lately, mold counts are rising, triggering a wave of symptoms for many patients.
A lot of people assume they just have a cold or a sinus infection. How do you know it's actually allergies?
That's one of the most common points of confusion we see. Patients come in convinced they have a sinus infection, when it's really their allergies causing that stuffiness and sinus pressure. The symptoms can feel identical — congestion, ear fullness, even ear pain. The truth is, if you're having recurring symptoms, it's worth finding out what's actually going on.
One thing I love educating patients about is something called food-pollen cross-reactivity. Certain trees, grasses, and ragweed can actually cross-react with specific fruits and vegetables, causing itching to the roof of your mouth or throat. So if you notice strange reactions to certain foods during pollen season, that's worth mentioning to us — it could be connected.
What does allergy testing look like at your office?
It's simpler than most people expect. We test for about 56 different environmental antigens — trees, weeds, grasses, pet danders, dust mites, and both indoor and outdoor molds. The procedure itself takes about an hour, and the best part is that you get your results the same day. We also walk through treatment options right then and there, so patients leave knowing exactly where they stand and what their path forward looks like.
What are the treatment options?
It really depends on what you're allergic to. Some patients simply need a daily antihistamine. Others are candidates for allergy desensitization — what most people know as allergy shots. The program typically takes three to five years for full desensitization. We start you at a very low dose and bring you in weekly, gradually building up your exposure to each antigen until your immune system adapts. Over time, we space out the visits — weekly, then every two weeks, then three, then four — until we wean you off entirely. The goal is real, lasting relief, not just managing symptoms indefinitely. Our program has a beginning and an end.
Is allergy testing just for kids, or adults too?
Absolutely everyone — from children to seniors. And here's something that surprises a lot of people: you can develop allergies at any point in your life. I grew up without many allergy issues, but when I moved to Louisiana, my symptoms spiked, and when I came to St. Louis, they spiked even more. So just because you've never had allergies before doesn't mean you're in the clear.
What makes the experience at Dr. Bailey's practice different?
We're very personalized. We want every patient to feel like family. Patients have my direct number. We genuinely want to show them the love and concern you'd give a family member — while also delivering excellent medical care. Dr. Bailey has built a remarkable practice here in Kirkwood, and that culture of caring runs through everything we do.
For someone reading this who has been suffering and just assuming this is their life — what would you say to them?
You don't have to live with it. That's the message. If you're wondering whether it might be allergies, come in and find out. The test is simple, the results are immediate, and relief is possible. We're taking new patients and can typically get you in within a week.
Dr. Sean B. Bailey, M.D., F.A.C.S., is a board-certified Otolaryngologist serving Kirkwood and the greater St. Louis area. His practice is located at 343 S. Kirkwood Road, Suite 205, Kirkwood, MO 63122. To schedule an appointment, call (314) 970-2770 or visit drseanbaileystlent.com.
Want to know if your symptoms might be allergy-related? Take the Sinus Quiz at drseanbaileystlent.com/test.