What are allergies?
Allergies are an abnormal bodily reaction to everyday substances that are otherwise harmless but are invasive to people with allergies. The things that cause allergies are called allergens. Examples of allergens include mold, dust, pollen, certain foods, latex, animal dander, and insect stings. Symptoms and their severity vary between patients, but often cause skin reactions, difficulty breathing or swallowing, and a variety of other irritations. Take the Breathe Clear Institute allergy quiz to learn more.
There are many ways to manage and treat allergies symptoms at home or with help from the pharmacy, but a step beyond would be to come visit us for allergy testing and possible drops or shots to relieve you from your pain.
Allergy testing
In order to identify which allergens are bothering you, there is a comprehensive testing process. This includes using different samples from common environmental and food allergens placed in a small device that enters the skin. Typically, this allergy testing panel is placed on the forearm for easy examination of any bodily reactions. There is always an included control insertion to use as a comparison to the other 40 injections. Not to worry, it’s not painful but may cause some irritation if any allergies are shown.
Allergy drops
Before turning to allergy shots, we often recommended oral allergy drops as a form of treatment from allergens. This version of immunotherapy is called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) and is meant to decrease reactions to allergies, giving reprieve from intense symptoms. However, it not only calms reactions to allergens but works to treat the condition itself, which is why these are prescription and not over-the-counter.
Allergy shots
If allergy drops aren’t the right form of treatment, the next viable option is often allergy shots. This form of treatment is a series of shots over a period of time meant to stop and or reduce allergic reactions in patients. Usually, a person would receive three to five shots within a year, individual cases depending. A doctor will increase dosage over time in hopes of creating a desensitization and hopefully reduce or eliminate the body’s reaction to certain allergens.
People with seasonal allergies, indoor allergies, and/or severe reactions to insect stings are the most common recipients of allergy shots. There are, however, risks associated with these shots like local or systemic reactions and anaphylaxis. Allergy shots are a long form of treatment with both a build-up and a maintenance phase. Your doctor will be monitoring throughout the durations, but be sure to be in touch with them if any unusual reactions arise.
While patients might want to jump quickly into allergy drops and shots, it’s important to try holistic and over-the-counter medications first to see if either garner results. If allergic reactions are severe and worrisome, call your doctor immediately and bypass any at-home remedies.
Got allergies? Schedule an appointment with Breathe Clear Institute
Allergies are very common in children and adults. While you may feel like you have them under control, it’s always best to know what you’re allergic to and how best to manage reactions. Allergy testing is quick and easy, and we follow up with various ways to treat symptoms.