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Allergy Care
People of all ages can suffer from the effects of allergies. In fact, allergies are a very common problem, affecting at least 2 of every 10 people in the United States. If you have allergies, then you probably can’t enjoy the smell of fresh flowers because your eyes are watering, your head is stuffed up and your throat itches. You may have a difficult time helping with yard care or even enjoying your yard it’s freshly cut. In fact, plants, weeds and molds are spreading their pollen and spores everywhere. There’s pollen from ragweed, trees, grass, flowers and more. Allergies can also be caused by dust, pet dander, foods and other day-to-day exposures.
Not everyone has allergies. People inherit a tendency to be allergic, although not to any specific allergen. When one parent is allergic, their child has a 50% chance of having allergies. That risk jumps to 75% if both parents have allergies.
From rashes to itchy skin to watery eyes and even asthmatic reactions, allergies can make you miserable and can in some cases even result in severe reactions.
What are allergies?
Allergies are the body’s immune system’s incorrect response to a foreign substance. For people with allergies, exposure to what are normally harmless substances, such as pollens, dust or pet dander, causes the immune system to react as if the substance is harmful. Substances that cause allergies are called allergens.
When you come into contact with an allergen, you may experience a number of allergic symptoms including itchy, watery eyes and nose. Some people may even experience asthma symptoms such as wheezing and coughing or skin reactions like hives.
During certain times of the year there are more allergens in the environment than other times. If you are allergic to seasonal allergens (such as ragweed or grasses) your symptoms will become much more severe when these irritants are in the environment to trigger your allergies. Some people are allergic to things that may be in the environment on a year-round basis, such as pet dander from dogs and cats or dust mites.
Whether you suffer from seasonal or year-round allergies you know that these can make you feel miserable. You may have experienced lost time from work because you did not feel well. Your child may have missed school due to allergy symptoms.
How we can help
To pinpoint the allergy problem – and determine the treatment – your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and habits. You may also need some tests.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing allergies starts with a doctor’s exam. Proper testing can make it much easier to live with an allergy. For example, if you have a food allergy you may need to keep a food diary – and remove certain foods from your diet – to determine exactly what you’re allergic to.
Tests
An allergy skin test is used to identify the substances that are causing your allergy reactions. Sometimes blood tests are used to diagnose allergies.
How can allergies be treated?
There are two general types of treatment modalities available to allergy sufferers: those that treat the symptoms of allergies (symptomatic treatment) and those that treat the cause of allergic reactions (immunotherapy). In either case, your doctor will discuss with you the precautions you can take to avoid substances you are allergic to.
Symptomatic Treatment
Symptomatic treatments aim to treat the symptoms of allergies: the watery, itchy eyes, congestion and sneezes. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as Afrin®, Benadryl® and Claritin® offer symptomatic relief from allergy symptoms. There are also a number of prescription strength medicines, such as Allegra®, Singulair® and Nasonex® that offer relief from allergy symptoms. These treatments may be quite effective for some people.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is another option available to many allergy sufferers. This treatment actually addresses the cause of allergies: the body’s immune system. Immunotherapy can reduce your sensitivity to specific allergens. Immunotherapy works by introducing very small amounts of an allergen into your system over time so that eventually your body builds up tolerance to it. Once this tolerance is established, your body will no longer respond to the allergen as the enemy and will not try to fight it off – the allergy symptoms improve.
Allergy injections are given weekly at our office until your symptoms improve. This therapy may require several years of treatment depending upon how quickly your body responds and the severity of your allergies. Once your symptoms improve, a maintenance dose is established. You will continue to visit our office for your allergy shots, but the frequency of your visits may change. Most people continue to receive allergy shots for about three to five years. Your insurance coverage for allergy shots will depend upon your individual insurance plan. Allergy shots are approved by the FDA and are considered to be a safe and effective means of treating allergies with a low incidence of side effects.
Allergy drops are a second form of immunotherapy which involves placing drops of specially formulated allergen under your tongue. Your doctor decides how strong the dosage should be and you place the drops under your tongue on a daily basis at home. Occasional office visits are necessary to monitor your response, but weekly visits are not needed. Most insurance carriers do not cover the cost of allergy drops. However, purchasing the drops yourself may be less costly than the shots and associated office visits. In addition, there is the added convenience of not having to miss work or school for these weekly office visits. Although the sublingual (under-the-tongue) administration of allergy antigen serum is not FDA approved, numerous peer-reviewed clinical trials have found that the allergy drops are a safe and effective alternative to allergy shots. Allergy drops have been safely used in Europe for over 25 years, and many expect the FDA to approve this form of immunotherapy in the future.
Additional Allergy Resources
Pollen Count and Air Quality Index
Patient Advocacy and Assistance
Support Groups
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