What are allergies?
Allergies are your body’s natural response to the invasion of a particular substance to which is has become hypersensitive. When your body detects this particular substance, it produces antibodies to ward off the substance, resulting in allergic response like hives, itching, swelling, sneezing, runny nose, etc.
Who gets allergies?
Just about everyone experiences an allergic response at some point in their lives. However, the triggers vary widely from person to person. Some of the most common types of allergy triggers are:
- Pollen from flowers, grass, and trees can irritate the sinuses of seasonal allergies sufferers, particularly during the spring and summer months.About 8 percent of Americans experience seasonal allergies (a.k.a hay fever), reports the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
- Food allergies are most often caused by consuming peanuts, tree nuts, milk, seafood and shellfish.
- Insect bites and stings
- Bee stings, mosquitos, bed bugs, and other insects bites are the frequent culprits of the allergic reactions.
What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction?
Symptoms of an allergic reaction depend greatly on the type of the allergen and your sensitivity to that allergen. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Itchiness
- Swelling
- Hives
- Sneezing
- Shortness of breath
- Rash
Certain allergens can cause a dangerous reaction called anaphylaxis. Symptoms include trouble breathing, stomach pain, and swelling of the throat or tongue. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical help right away.
How are allergies treated?
While allergies have no permanent cure, Be Well Primary Health Care Center has an experienced and talented allergy and immunology team that can help you to keep your allergies under control. Allergy control involves a few approaches:
Avoidance
Your Be Well provider will help you to identify potential allergens so that you can make lifestyle changes to avoid them.
Medications
Your Be Well provider can treat certain allergies with medications, which help reduce your body’s reaction to the allergen, reducing symptoms.
Immunotherapy
Severe cases of allergic reactions can be treated with immunotherapy, which helps build tolerance to the source of the allergy over a long period of time.
Epinephrine
If you suffer from an allergy that provokes anaphylaxis, you might need to carry an Epi-Pen with you at all times. This emergency shot reduces anaphylactic symptoms until you can receive proper emergency treatment.
If you need consultation and advice on how to deal with your allergies, please , call Be Well Primary Health Care Center to schedule your consultation, or book your appointment online.
