Indiana Allergy and Asthma

09/02/2025

Happy Labor Day! 🎉 Wishing our patients, staff, and community a wonderful day filled with rest, gratitude, and health. 💙

07/04/2025

🎆🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸🎆

Today we celebrate freedom, community, and the heroes who protect it all. 💪🗽🎉
To all our veterans and active-duty service members — THANK YOU for your courage, sacrifice, and service. 🙏🎖️💙❤️🤍

We’re proud to support those who’ve served by accepting VA insurance 🏥🩺
Your health is our priority — thank you for trusting us with your care. 🫶✨

Wishing everyone a safe, joyful, and allergy-free 🇺🇸 Independence Day! 🧨🍉🌭🎇

06/22/2025

✨ Just got back from the FAST Conference — feeling so inspired! 🧠💥

Food allergy care is evolving, and I’m proud to be part of it 💙👩‍⚕️

From new insights in oral immunotherapy (OIT) 🍞🥜 to patient advocacy and research 🔬🤝 — there’s so much to bring back to my practice at Indiana Allergy and Asthma 🏥

Let’s keep empowering families dealing with food allergies every day 🙌🌈

DM me if you have questions about OIT, testing, or what’s new in the world of allergy care! 💌👇

06/20/2025

🎉 Happy Birthday to our wonderful nurse, Genia! 🎉
Yesterday we celebrated Genia with Jimmy John’s sandwiches, cake, flowers, and lots of love 🎂💐🥪

Genia, your warmth, skill, and kindness brighten our office every day. We’re so lucky to have you on the Indiana Allergy and Asthma team!

And a heartfelt thank-you to our entire team—you all work so hard to make our clinic a welcoming, caring space for our patients and each other. 💙

06/16/2025

🌟 Happy Father’s Day! 🌟
To all the amazing dads who power through sniffles, sneezes, and everything in between — we see you! 💙

Today we celebrate the strength, love, and dedication you bring to your families (even during allergy season!).

From all of us at Indiana Allergy and Asthma, thank you for trusting us with your care. Here’s to clear skies, deep breaths, and quality time with the ones you love.

❤️

05/11/2025

Happy Mother’s Day to the incredible women behind our practice! 💐💖

This last week we celebrated Nures week with lunch and Girl Scout cookies !

Today, we’re celebrating the five amazing moms who make up our team 👩‍⚕️👩‍👧‍👦 — balancing the demands of motherhood 👶🏽 and medicine 🩺 with grace, strength, and heart.

At Indiana Allergy & Asthma, our team isn’t just dedicated — they’re cross-trained, collaborative, and committed. Whether it’s front desk, billing, prior auth for meds, office inventory or nursing duties, each one of these amazing women jumps in wherever needed to keep patient care flowing smoothly 💼💉📞. Their teamwork ensures that every patient is cared for with compassion and efficiency 💙.

Thank you for being the heart of our office ❤️ — and for showing us what true dedication looks like at work and at home 🏡.

Wishing all moms a joyful and love-filled Mother’s Day! 🌸💝

With deep appreciation,
The Indiana Allergy & Asthma Family 💜


👩🏽‍⚕️👩🏼‍⚕️👩🏿‍⚕️📋📞💻🩺💪💞

03/29/2025

Important information about measles outbreak from lake county health department.

As of March 27, 2025, the Midwest region is experiencing a significant increase in measles cases:

• 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐬: The state has reported 23 confirmed cases, a sharp rise from earlier counts. The outbreak, which began in Stevens County on March 13, has primarily affected young individuals. Health officials are recommending early MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccinations for infants in affected areas to curb the spread. (AP News - Kansas measles cases double to 23 and new Ohio outbreak sickens 10 | AP News)
• 𝐎𝐡𝐢𝐨: A new outbreak in Ashtabula County has resulted in 10 confirmed cases. Known exposures have occurred in multiple counties, prompting public health authorities to emphasize the importance of vaccinations to prevent further transmission. (AP News = Kansas measles cases double to 23 and new Ohio outbreak sickens 10 | AP News)
• 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧: The first measles case of the year has been confirmed in Oakland County, marking the state's first case since July 2024. This resurgence underscores concerns about declining vaccination rates and highlights the critical need for immunizations to protect against this highly contagious disease. (Midland Daily News)

These developments contribute to a broader national trend, with the United States already surpassing the total number of measles cases reported in the previous year. Health officials attribute the spread to vaccine misinformation and hesitancy, emphasizing the proven efficacy of the MMR vaccine in preventing measles and its complications. (Guardian - More US states report measles cases amid vaccine misinformation | US news | The Guardian)

Residents in the Midwest are strongly encouraged to verify their vaccination status and consult healthcare providers to ensure they and their families are protected. Measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe health complications, but it is preventable through timely and complete vaccination. (CDC)

Source Links:
https://apnews.com/article/measles-kansas-ohio-mmr-vaccination-new-mexico-texas-569474272df9baaad1f6d73462ebe92a
*
https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/measles-confirmed-first-case-michigan-year-20242027.php
*
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/23/measles-spread-vaccine-misinformation

03/19/2025

“How severe are my allergies?” 🤔 This is a common question after an allergy skin test!

🔬 An allergy skin test is a helpful guideline, but your history of symptoms after exposure is just as important—if not more! A positive skin test alone doesn’t always mean you’ll have severe reactions, and a negative test doesn’t rule them out completely. That’s why we take a comprehensive approach, combining test results with your real-life experiences to create the best treatment plan for you. ✅

📞 Need expert allergy care? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Pooja Patel at Indiana Allergy: 219-769-6177.

🤧 🔬 👩‍⚕️ 🌿 📍 🤯

MYTH: Allergy tests tell you how severe your allergy can be.
TRUTH: Allergy tests are only a guide to determine likelihood of allergy being present, not the severity.
Find out more food allergy myths.
https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/food-allergy-myths-debunked

03/14/2025

Happy Pi Day! 🥧🎉🤧

On 3/14, we celebrate Pi (π), the never-ending number—just like some allergy seasons feel! 😵‍💫 But don’t worry, we’re here to help!

🍽️ Food allergies? 🥜🚫 Make sure your Pi Day pie is allergy-friendly!
🌿 Spring allergies? 🌼🤧 Pollen counts are rising—be proactive with treatment.
🐾 Pet allergies? 🐶🐱 Enjoy the day with a hypoallergenic dessert and a dander-free space!

Don’t let allergies put a damper on your Pi Day fun. 🎊 Dr. Pooja Patel at Indiana Allergy and Asthma can help keep your allergies in check year-round!

📞 Call 219-769-6177 to schedule an appointment today.

🥧 🤧 💙 😮‍💨

03/12/2025

Are You Sneezing Nonstop? These Environmental Allergy Triggers Could Be to Blame! 🤧🌿

If you find yourself constantly dealing with itchy eyes, congestion, and sneezing, environmental allergens may be the culprit. Some of the most common triggers include:

🍃 Pollen – Trees, grasses, and weeds release tiny particles that can trigger seasonal allergies.
🦠 Dust Mites – These microscopic pests thrive in bedding, carpets, and upholstery.
🐶 Pet Dander – Proteins in pet skin flakes, saliva, and urine can cause allergic reactions.
🍄 Mold Spores – Found in damp areas like basements and bathrooms, mold can trigger respiratory issues.
🚗 Airborne Irritants – Smoke, pollution, and strong odors can worsen allergy symptoms.

If allergies are interfering with your daily life, Dr. Pooja Patel at Indiana Allergy and Asthma can help! We provide personalized care to identify your triggers and create a treatment plan tailored to you.

📍 Indiana Allergy and Asthma
📞 Call 219-769-6177 or 💻 Visit www.IndianaAllergy.com to schedule your appointment today!

03/11/2025

Spring Cleaning for an Allergy-Free Home! 🌿✨

Spring is in the air, but so are allergens! Here are five expert-backed tips from the ACAAI to keep your home allergy-friendly:

✅ Control Moisture & Mold – Use fans, fix leaks, and scrub away mold to keep humidity below 60%.
✅ Simplify Cleaning Supplies – Harsh chemicals can irritate allergies. Try a mix of baking soda and vinegar instead!
✅ Manage Pet Allergens – Bathe pets, vacuum frequently, and wash upholstery to reduce dander buildup.
✅ Keep Windows Closed – As tempting as fresh air sounds, open windows let in pollen. Change air filters every 3 months.
✅ Tackle Outdoor Allergens – Wear gloves and an N95 mask when gardening or mowing to avoid pollen and mold exposure.

Struggling with spring allergies? Dr. Pooja Patel at Indiana Allergy and Asthma can help! Call 219-769-6177 to schedule your appointment today.

Read more allergy-proofing tips here: Spring Cleaning for Allergies – ACAAI 🌸🤧

https://acaai.org/news/spring-cleaning-spruce-up-your-house-while-toning-down-allergies/

03/01/2025

Are you using your inhaler and EpiPen correctly? 🤔

One of the first things I ask my patients is if they know how to properly use their inhalers and EpiPens. You’d be surprised how often small mistakes can make a big difference in how well these life-saving medications work! 🚑💨

✅ Inhaler Tips: Always use a spacer if prescribed, shake well, and time your breaths correctly.
✅ EpiPen Tips: Inject into the outer thigh, hold for a few seconds, and always call 911 afterward.

If you’re not 100% sure about your technique, let’s go over it at your next visit! Proper use can mean the difference between relief and an emergency. ⏳⚕️

📲 call us today219-769-6177 if you / your child needs to be evaluated for asthma / allergies!

Check your device knowledge: only 7% of inhaler users and 16% of epinephrine users administered their medication perfectly in a study.