Seasonal Allergy Care in Hilo & Across Hawaiʻi — Medicaid (QUEST) Accepted

Seasonal allergies, or allergic rhinitis, happen when the immune system overreacts to airborne triggers like pollen, dust, or mold, causing sneezing, congestion, a runny nose, and itchy eyes. They are very common and very treatable. At Ohana Care Clinic in Hilo, we help you find relief so allergies do not get in the way of island life.

What seasonal allergies are

With allergic rhinitis, the immune system treats harmless particles in the air as threats and releases chemicals that inflame the nose and eyes. The result is familiar: sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, postnasal drip, and itchy, watery eyes. In Hawaiʻi, year-round greenery and outdoor living mean triggers can be present in any season, and allergies often travel with asthma.

How we treat them

Effective relief usually starts with avoiding triggers where possible and using the right medication. The 2017 AAAAI/ACAAI Joint Task Force guideline recommends an intranasal corticosteroid spray as the most effective first-line treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis, with antihistamines and other options added or chosen based on your symptoms. For stubborn or severe allergies, we can discuss further evaluation and longer-term options.

The mind-body connection

Allergies may seem minor, but poor sleep from congestion and constant symptoms can wear on mood, focus, and energy. Because we look at the whole person, we treat the symptoms and pay attention to how they are affecting your rest and daily life. Most allergy care works well by telehealth.

Culturally grounded care

We care for the whole person, in the spirit of lōkahi — balance and harmony among the connected parts of life: the body, the mind and emotions, the spirit, the ʻohana (family), and our relationship with the ʻāina (land) and community. In a Native Hawaiian understanding of health, these are not separate, and neither is our care. To mālama (care for and protect) your wellbeing and to live pono (in balance and rightness), we listen to your whole story, welcome your ʻohana into the process, and honor the values and traditions that ground you. Offering kōkua (help given freely, with aloha) in a way that respects who you are is at the heart of how we practice.

Insurance and how we see you

We accept Medicare and Medicaid, including the Hawaiʻi QUEST Integration plans (AlohaCare, the Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA), ʻOhana Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan), along with most commercial insurance, and we are accepting new patients in Hilo. Primary care works best as a partnership. Your first visit is in person at our Hilo clinic. We see patients in person for physical exams, vitals, and lab work, and we use telehealth for follow-up visits, medication management, and chronic-disease check-ins whenever it is clinically appropriate.

Common questions about seasonal allergies

What is the most effective treatment for seasonal allergies?

The 2017 AAAAI/ACAAI Joint Task Force guideline recommends an intranasal corticosteroid (nasal steroid spray) as the most effective first-line treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis, with antihistamines and other options added based on your symptoms.

Are allergies and a cold the same thing?

No. Allergies are an immune reaction to triggers like pollen and tend to cause itchy eyes and sneezing without fever, often lasting as long as you are exposed. Colds are viral, usually shorter, and can include fever and body aches.

Can seasonal allergies be managed by telehealth?

Yes. Diagnosis based on symptoms, choosing the right medication, and follow-up all work well by video, with in-person visits when further evaluation is helpful.

What insurance do you accept?

We accept Medicare and Medicaid, including the Hawaii QUEST Integration plans (AlohaCare, HMSA, Ohana Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan), along with most commercial insurance. We are accepting new patients in Hilo.

References

Dykewicz, M. S., Wallace, D. V., Baroody, F., Bernstein, J., Craig, T., Finegold, I., et al. (2017). Treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis: Synopsis of guidance from the 2017 Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters. Annals of Internal Medicine. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M17-2203

Papa Ola Lōkahi. (n.d.). Native Hawaiian health. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://www.papaolalokahi.org/

This page is general health education from Ohana Care Clinic, written by George Mackel, MSN, APRN, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP. It is not a substitute for a personal evaluation by a qualified clinician who knows your situation, and reading it does not create a provider–patient relationship. If you think you may have a medical condition, reach out to us or another licensed provider. In an emergency, call 911.

George Mackel, MSN, APRN, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP — President & Owner