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January as it marks the beginning of a new year, is by far one of the most exciting months! Children start new school semesters, adults may begin new jobs in new locations, and everyone is setting resolutions to make this year better than the last. Depending on your industry, there are quite a few cities you may find yourself moving to in the new year. With new cities come new opportunities, new experiences, but also for those who suffer from allergies, new allergens and triggers to be aware of. San Antonio and San Marcos are two such cities you may find yourself in!

Why San Antonio and San Marcos are amazing cities to live in:

San Antonio boasts a booming economy and a rich cultural diversity that set it near the top of many lists of the nation’s fastest-growing cities. Likewise, projections show that San Marcos’s population may nearly double in the next decade.

1. Amazing food

If you love to eat, San Antonio and San Marcos will carve out a special place in your heart. You’d be a silly individual not to try San Antonio’s breakfast burritos. These things will have you developing a deeper appreciation for the most important meal of the day. And the barbecue is the stuff of legends. If you decide to visit or stay awhile, make sure to check out Two Bros BBQ and B&D Icehouse if you want your world to be rocked. 

2. Rich history

All of you history buffs out there, San Antonio is a place made just for you. This city has a rich history and you’d be doing yourself a disservice to not visit some of the awe-inspiring landmarks. You’ll get the chills when visiting The Alamo, The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, and The San Fernando Cathedral.

3. Sports

If sports are your thing, then San Antonio has you covered there as well. San Antonio is home to the San Antonio Spurs, San Antonio Missions, and the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. And if you’re really into sports, you should know that San Antonio takes high school football very seriously.

4. Plenty of things to do

San Antonio and San Marcos are places where you couldn’t get bored even if you tried. Looking for a thrill? You’ll be happy to know that the city has theme parks such as Sea World and Six Flags. Want to relax? Enjoy the Riverwalk or Eisenhower Park. Or maybe you’re looking for an experience to show off to your Instagram followers? Well, the Diwali festival is perfect for that. This annual Hindu festival of lights is sure to delight and amaze. 

5. Best of both worlds

The number one reason why San Antonio and San Marcos are so appealing is that you’ll truly experience the best of both worlds. They scratch the itch of both city lovers and country folk. Inexpensive land has allowed the city to expand outwards instead of upwards. So instead of experiencing the crowded feeling one might experience in New York or other major cities, San Antonio and San Marcos offer the unique experience of city life that leaves a lot of room for rural living. 

Top 5 Things to do in San Antonio and San Marcos:

Elmendorf Lake Park

This hidden treasure on the west side of San Antonio features a large lake that makes for a beautiful day outdoors. People may kayak in the lake, play on the jungle gym, and more. There is also a bird sanctuary where ducks can be seen swimming. 

Medina River

Medina River is a seven-mile-long natural environment area with pathways. This river is ideal for fishing, camping, and even a quick dip. You may even enjoy a picnic under the shade of a huge covered pavilion.

Eisenhour Park

Eisenhower is a popular choice among locals. The hiking paths, which range from simple to challenging, will have you working up a sweat. If you have any breath left, there is a viewpoint at the summit where you may get a beautiful view.

Canyon Lake Marinas

Canyon Lake’s waters include salt, which attracts a wide variety of fish. You’ll want to come back here every time you go fishing because of the amazing view of the waves and sunset.

San Antonio Zoo

Although it may not seem so from the entrance, the Zoo is 56 acres in size and home to 750 different species! There are signs placed around the Zoo to help regular or new visitors navigate the Zoo. Check out this detailed Guide to Visiting the San Antonio Zoo.

You may have discovered these allergens:

Whether you move to or visit San Antonio and San Marcos, you may notice one of South and Central Texas’s notable downsides – seasonal allergies!

Our area features a robust menu of airborne allergens that wreak havoc on people’s health and happiness. Astonishingly, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American ranks San Antonio as the fourth most challenging city in the US for fall allergy sufferers and the fifth worst for spring allergies.

While many parts of the country experience an allergy reprieve during the freezing winter months, we see no such relief. Runny noses, coughs, and itchy eyes abound December through mid-February thanks to the infamous mountain cedar tree. (Oddly, the tree is rarely called by its real name, Ashe juniper.) The male mountain cedar tree releases puffs of up to a billion pollen grains that then get carried for miles by the wind. The pollen clouds float around and sometimes resemble smoke.

The mountain cedar causes “cedar fever,” which does not actually include a fever but is the colloquial term for an allergic reaction to the trees. Cedar fever refers to intense and sometimes debilitating allergy symptoms including nasal congestion, incessant sneezing, itchy/red/burning eyes, sore throat, headache, and fatigue. People may even miss work or school due to the severity of these symptoms.

Once cedar fever mercifully dies down, the new growth and promise of spring bring other tree pollen issues that peak in March and April but can linger through late May. The trees that most affect the our area include oak, hackberry, Arizona ash, and willow. Live oak pollen is especially visible and problematic during this time, as it coats cars, pets, sidewalks, and backyard grills in a fine yellow powder. Oak trees cannot be pollinated by bees since they produce no flowers, so instead they release their dust-like pollen into the air. Warm, dry, and windy conditions are a spring allergy-sufferer’s enemy because that is when pollen really gets tossed through the air.

Early summer welcomes grass pollen to the forefront of the allergy forecast. Grass pollen spreads thanks to the same warm, dry, windy conditions as tree pollen, and frequent lawn mowing churns everything up and throws the pollen and even dust into the air.

Fall finds the kids going back to school, the start of football season, and relief that the dog days of summer are over. Many people take advantage of the dip in temperatures by heading outdoors. Unfortunately, weed pollens also like to come out and play in the fall. Ragweed is the worst offender. It begins sending its pollen out with the wind once cooler weather approaches. Ragweed can grow taller than a person and produces a ton of potent pollen. Weed pollen usually peaks in October and begins to lessen in November – just in time for mountain cedar to make its unwelcome appearance in December.

Mold falls into a unique category as an environmental allergy trigger that comes and goes year-round. Mold counts can peak during the summer and fall months, especially after it rains. A mold spore explosion is especially likely after a heavy rain followed by sunny skies and high temperatures.

Living in San Antonio or San Marcos does not doom you to suffer from hay fever (allergic rhinitis) forever! If you find yourself experiencing persistent allergy symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and congestion around the same time(s) each year for weeks or even months at a time, you may be one of the many Texans battling seasonal allergies. One of Stone Oak Allergy’s highly trained providers will guide you through the process of identifying your allergy triggers. Based on your allergens and symptoms, an individualized treatment plan will address your needs. Medication can work wonders in some patients. Others select traditional immunotherapy or cluster immunotherapy (allergy drops or shots), which builds up your body’s immunity to an allergen over time. Book an appointment today before your allergy symptoms start for the season so we can help you win the allergy battle!

How we can treat you:

Biologics – Allergy and immunology treatment options continue to expand, thanks in large part to a drug class called biologics. Derived from living organisms, these medications can target specific components of the immune system and prevent inflammation that causes a variety of conditions. Stone Oak Allergy Associates’ specialists stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in the field. We offer several biologics that provide a beacon of hope for some patients whose conditions, including severe asthma and eczema, have not responded well to traditional treatments.

Allergy Shots – When allergy medicine and avoidance do not provide sufficient relief, allergy shots can make all the difference in a patient’s quality of life. They are not a quick fix, but many people find them to be well worth the time and effort. They can desensitize your immune system to pollen (trees, grass, weeds), insect stings, pet dander, dust, mold, and cockroaches. Removing these allergic reactions can result in relief from asthma, eczema, ear issues, and sinus troubles exacerbated by allergies.

Allergy Drops – Oral allergy drops have proven safe and effective for patients facing rhinitis, asthma, and eczema caused by airborne allergens including grass, pollen, ragweed, pet dander, mold, and dust mites.

Meet our Providers

Dr. Jurairat Molina is a board-certified allergist who has quickly established her practice and has a strong patient following because of her approach to medicine and her practice philosophy. Dr. Molina enjoys teaching and working with medical students and residents. She has been part of community faculty staff at UTMB since 2010. She enjoys working with a diverse group of patients and team members. Dr Molina believes in providing care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, ensuring that patient needs, and values guide all clinical decisions.

Dr. Molina has several personal interests in allergies, including severe persistent asthma, chronic idiopathic urticaria, chronic sinusitis, and allergic dermatological conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. She also has high expertise in optimizing biologics such as Xolair, Nucala, Fasenra, and Dupixent for treatment these conditions.

Faye Crowell, PA-C is a certified Physician Assistant, and has been practicing at Stone Oak Allergy since the spring of 2015. She fully understands how much allergic conditions can impact a patient and their family’s quality of life. Faye’s husband suffers from allergies and her young son happens to be allergic to peanuts. She feels that patient education is of paramount importance and takes pride in knowing that the patients she treats come away with an understanding of their conditions(s) and treatment plan so they can work as a team to get them feeling their best.

Carrie Stolfa, FNP-C has lived in Texas since 2007, and currently resides in San Marcos with her husband and three amazing children. Her spare time is dedicated to supporting and raising her children while running the family’s miniature farm currently consisting of dogs, chickens, a goat, and a pig. She loves the cold weather and cheers proudly for the Texas State Bobcats!

We look forward to serving you in 2023.