Allergies affect millions of American year-round. While mild indoor allergies may be managed through OTC medications and preventative measures, more serious symptoms may necessitate visiting an allergist for testing and treatment.
Allergies are caused by your immune system overreacting to an irritant, such as animal dander, dust mite droppings, mold or cockroaches.
Air Filtration
If your allergy symptoms only flare up indoors, they may be caused by indoor allergens like pet dander and mold spores. Other possible triggers could include smoking, cleaning products or even cockroaches in your home.
Steps can be taken to enhance indoor air quality in order to relieve allergies and asthma symptoms, including using an air filter with HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) rating. HEPA filters are designed specifically to remove airborne dust, pollen, animal dander, mold spores and more from entering the atmosphere.
Purchase an activated carbon filter as another way of improving indoor air quality. These types of filters use highly porous carbon materials that effectively cleanse chemical contaminants that could irritate, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs produce unpleasant odors when broken down at room temperature; such chemicals are typically found in paints, aerosol sprays, upholstery furniture and air fresheners.
Reduce allergens in your home by keeping windows shut and running air conditioner recirculate mode, which will prevent outdoor allergens from coming in while also decreasing humidity levels that contribute to mold and dust mite growth. Wearing a mask when cleaning will further decrease exposure while dehumidifiers help manage moisture levels, further decreasing risk for mold or mildew growth.
Allergy Medication
Antihistamines can relieve allergy symptoms such as runny nose and watery eyes. Available over the counter (OTC) or with a valid valid prescription, antihistamines generally take four to six hours to take effect and should last 12 to 24 hours; for best results use before bedtime for best results.
Many allergy medications include decongestants to alleviate congestion from allergies. They come in pill, liquid or nasal spray form for quicker relief; however they should only be used short term as decongestants can lead to side effects like headache and high blood pressure.
Steroids can reduce inflammation and are available as nasal spray, eyedrops and tablets as well as combination products. Some contain mast cell stabilizers like cromolyn sodium that prevent mast cells from releasing histamine during an allergic reaction while leukotriene inhibitors block certain chemicals that exacerbate allergies and asthma symptoms.
If your allergies can’t be managed through medication alone, an allergist may suggest immunotherapy as a means to build tolerance against allergens that trigger symptoms. Immunotherapy involves injecting small doses of allergens under the skin or directly into your nose in order to train your immune system to recognize them as harmless.
Allergy Shots
Allergy shots (immunotherapy) can provide relief from allergies by targeting specific allergens that cause reactions. Immunotherapy works by desensitizing your immune system to various allergens like pollen, dust mites and pet dander over time. At Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center we specialize in allergy shots to help our clients determine if this treatment option is the most suitable one.
Allergen immunotherapy requires a significant time commitment. Beginning with a build-up phase in which you receive injections either weekly or bi-weekly from your physician until you reach an effective dosage level; at which time injection frequency will gradually decrease until an optimal dose has been reached and once reached allergy shots can help manage indoor allergy symptoms such as hay fever, asthma and eczema, in addition to insect sting allergies.
Your ENT or allergist will perform an in-depth evaluation to pinpoint what triggers are causing your symptoms and then create a custom allergy shot serum tailored specifically to you. This process may be beneficial if medications have not provided sufficient relief, or there are health issues preventing their use.
Allergy shots are generally safe when administered correctly. Common side effects include redness and warmth at the injection site, itching or hives around other parts of your body and asthma symptoms that aren’t adequately controlled on medication; severe reactions like anaphylaxis are extremely rare.
Pediatric Allergy Care
Allergies are immune responses to typically harmless substances, triggering symptoms like itching, sneezing and wheezing. Common allergens include foods, medications, pet dander, pollen, molds and insect stings – these allergens are known as allergens. Children suffering from allergies can experience hives, itchy skin reactions, asthma attacks or even life-threatening anaphylaxis reactions.
Symptoms may often be confused with a cold or sinus infection. But, if sneezing and sniffling persist year-round without responding to over-the-counter allergy medicine, it’s time for your child to visit an allergist.
Pediatric allergists are medical doctors who specialize in treating allergic conditions such as food, environmental and medication allergies as well as immunodeficiency disorders in children. Their services range from diagnosing allergies using tests like skin prick or blood test to prescribing relief medicines like antihistamines. They may even offer allergy shots which train your child’s immune system to develop tolerance against certain allergens.
Our highly qualified allergists will assess your child’s symptoms, take a detailed history, and perform a physical exam before creating a customized long-term treatment plan that includes avoidance strategies, medications and possibly spirometry testing to measure lung function. Our ultimate goal is to help them breathe freely and enjoy life! For more information contact RWJBarnabas Health’s Allergy & Asthma Network; with multiple locations throughout New Jersey.
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