WHAT TYPES OF ALLERGIES ARE THERE?

Common allergies include:

• Environmental - Outdoor (pollen, trees, grasses)

• Environmental - Indoor (mold, dust mites, pets)

• Foods

• Medications

• Insects

• Chemicals / Latex

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ALLERGIES?

Common symptoms include:

Itchy, watery eyes

Itchy nose

Sneezing

Runny nose

Rashes

Hives (a rash with raised red patches)

Swelling

Redness

Tongue swelling

Cough

Throat closing

Wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe)

Chest tightness and losing your breath

Feeling faint, light-headed or “blacking out”

HOW ARE ALLERGIES DIAGNOSED?

Your doctor will initially start with listening to your medical history and performing a physical exam. Afterwards other tests might be ordered to help with the diagnosis. A common allergy test performed is a skin allergy test.

HOW ARE ALLERGIES TREATED?

Prevention is the best way to start which means avoidance of your known allergens. Therefore, knowing what you are allergic to is an important first step in guiding the treatment process. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to help control your allergy symptoms.

WHAT IS IMMUNOTHERAPY?

Another way to treat allergies is called Immunotherapy, which is currently the only known way to turn off the body's reaction to allergens. Please click HERE to find out if immunotherapy is the right treatment for your allergies.