Allergies worse? Blame them on Ike

That's according to Dr. Susan Pacheco, who works in the UT Houston Medical School's Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Immunology. She says that people who may not have been able to afford to rip out soggy carpets and tear out molded sheetrock may be most affected.

"That exposure, even though it appears to be minimal, can be enough to have a significant triggering of allergies and asthma in populations that are susceptible," said Dr. Pacheco.

Dr. Pacheco says it wouldn't surprise her if doctors and allergists across the city are seeing patients with the same respiratory problems.