Allergies

What are allergies?

An allergic reaction occurs when your immune system comes into contact with an allergen (irritant).

Your body releases histamine and other chemicals in response to an allergen, which causes allergy symptoms.

Allergies are a chronic disease, meaning they require long-term management and proper care to maintain your health. Allergic reactions can be prevented once your provider diagnoses the specific allergen causing your symptoms.

What are some common allergies and their symptoms?

Atlanta ENT, Sinus & Allergy Associates, P.C. treats the most common allergies, including:

• Insect stings: skin itching, swelling, or hives all over
• Hay fever: runny or stuffy nose, itchy, watery eyes, and sneezing
• Food allergies: swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, or face, tingling mouth, and anaphylaxis
• Drug allergies: itchy skin, facial swelling, rashes, wheezing, and anaphylaxis
• Skin allergies: hives, rashes, blisters, or welts

Environmental substances can also cause allergy symptoms, including dust mites, mold, pet dander, and pollen.

What happens when I have allergies?

An allergic reaction typically triggers symptoms in the respiratory tract, including your sinuses, throat, and lungs. Symptoms may also affect your ears, the lining of your stomach, or skin.

For some people, they develop asthma symptoms. The severity of your allergy symptoms depends on how allergic you are to the specific allergen.

If you have a severe peanut allergy, you can experience life-threatening anaphylaxis. But for someone with mild hay fever (seasonal allergy) symptoms, they may only experience an irritated throat or watery eyes.

How is an allergy diagnosed?

To diagnose an allergy, your provider reviews medical history and performs a comprehensive physical exam. They may also order blood or skin tests to identify your specific allergens.

Once they develop a diagnosis, your provider can create a treatment plan that helps you understand and avoid your allergy triggers.

How are allergies treated?

Allergy treatment primarily centers around prevention. Your provider can help you develop strategies to avoid known allergens causing your symptoms.

They may also prescribe medications or recommend immunotherapy, which gradually trains your immune system to not have an allergic reaction.

To find out how allergy testing and treatment can help you, call the nearest Atlanta ENT, Sinus & Allergy Associates, P.C. office or book an appointment online today. Click here to learn more information