Breathing easy: How virtual allergy care changed one man’s life

For most people, spring brings budding flowers and warmer days. For Ellis, it brought a feeling of dread. Growing up in New Orleans, he even had to stop playing football because he would break out in hives with intense activity during the spring and summer months. And when he moved to Texas in 2016 for college, things didn’t get better.

"After I got to Texas, the ragweed and pollen made everything so much worse," Ellis said. "For the first two or three years, I was just sick, sick." 

He was getting steroid shots once a year just to keep his symptoms at bay—congestion, wheezing and the kind of fatigue that makes a long school day or workday feel impossible.

These days, Ellis drives 18-wheelers overnight. He's been with the company for 15 years, and he loves the independence—less traffic, a rhythm that's his own. He and his wife Laura, who has epilepsy and relies on him as her primary caretaker, have two young children at home, ages two and three.

Being sick for six months out of the year was more than just an inconvenience.

In his line of work, he has to deal with dusty warehouses and changes in landscape that can affect his allergies dramatically, depending on where he is in the country.

He'd tried to manage on his own: daily, over-the-counter allergy medication; a vegan diet to cut out dairy and reduce mucus; Elderberry syrup mixed with local honey from a chiropractor; nasal spray from a local pharmacy that helped for a little while. He even wore a mask and goggles just to mow his own lawn.

An allergist once told him his allergies were among the most severe they'd seen. During skin testing in the past, he broke out in hives everywhere. The recommended next step was exposing him to small doses of what triggered him. He declined.

"I didn't want more of what I was allergic to put into my body," Ellis said. So, he managed. For the time being.

One email makes all the difference

Ellis checks his email constantly—it's part of how he stays connected between overnight shifts and daytime naps. So, when messages from Baylor Scott & White began appearing in his inbox about an Allergy Care program, he noticed them. What made him pause wasn't just the content; it was the tone.

"It wasn't overkill or overwhelming, and it didn’t feel like spam. It was just enough to catch my attention," he said. He already had a good impression of Baylor Scott & White and when another email came through at the right moment, he took it as a sign. He clicked the link.

What he found on the other side was the Allergy Care virtual program, which gives people a way to see a provider, get evaluated and receive treatment without ever stepping into a clinic.

For a man who sleeps during the day and works through the night, the virtual option wasn't just convenient. It was the only option that made sense.

A virtual visit brings immediate progress

Signing up for the program through Baylor Scott & White’s patient portal and app, MyBSWHealth, was smooth. Before his appointment, Ellis completed questionnaires about his allergy history and symptoms—questions that would prepare the doctor in advance of the visit. 

When he met with the provider virtually, it felt like any other doctor's appointment, just without the drive or the waiting room… and the provider already knew so much about Ellis’ history.

During the call, the provider asked Ellis how long he'd been living with his symptoms, how allergies affected his daily life and even respected his hesitation about traditional allergy shots. 

Then, the provider explained what was going on in his body, what seasons were coming and what to expect in the weeks ahead, so he could stay ahead of his symptoms instead of chasing them.

He left the visit with prescriptions for two nasal sprays—more effective versions of the over-the-counter spray he'd been buying at the pharmacy. The instructions were clear: use one spray, then the second ten minutes later. These were safe for long-term use, without the guesswork.

Real results, right where it counts

The proof came fast. At work, hauling freight through the night, Ellis noticed he was breathing better. At home, the true test arrived on a day he dreaded every season: mowing the lawn. When he started to wheeze and sneeze the way he always had, he used the sprays and gargled some saltwater, and by the next morning, he felt fine.

"It worked for real," he said. "It has changed my life—at least for now."

The follow-up check-ins and surveys from the program kept him engaged and feeling cared for. He even asked whether the program was available for his young children. (It isn't yet—but he's watching for when it will be.)

Here are the key benefits of the program that Ellis and others will experience:

• A dedicated care team with a provider who is a medical professional (APP) and allergy specialists for severe allergies and testing
• In-clinic allergy testing and medications such as antihistamines and steroids
• Results and relief starting in 2 - 3 weeks

A story worth telling

Ellis describes himself as someone who is "just enjoying life.” He’s found a routine that works, a family he loves and now, finally, a way to breathe better during the seasons that once knocked him flat. He says he'd recommend the Allergy Care program to everyone. And he appreciated that it was not flashy or complicated, but rather simple to use.

"Everything was perfect, to the point and not overwhelming," he said. "I'm just glad I didn't ignore those emails."

For Ellis, virtual care wasn't a compromise. It was the solution that fit his life—and that made all the difference.

If you are living with allergies and are unable to find relief, visit the Allergy Care program to find out more.