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AllergyCenter’s Patient-First Approach puts your well-being front and center.

We cover a wide range of allergy services to promote overall wellness.

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Understanding Allergies
  • Definition: Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to a foreign substance (allergens) like pollen, bee venom, or certain foods, which are harmless to most people​​.
  • How Allergies Work: Your immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance as harmful, producing antibodies that cause symptoms when you're exposed again​​.
  • Common Allergies: Food, airborne allergens (pollen, dust mites, mold), insect stings, medications, and latex are typical triggers​​​​​​​​. Symptoms and Reactions
Symptoms and ReactioNS
  • General Symptoms: Allergy symptoms can affect the skin, sinuses, airways, and digestive system. They range from mild irritation to severe anaphylaxis​​.
  • Anaphylaxis: A severe, potentially life-threatening reaction characterized by symptoms like shortness of breath, a drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness​​.
Diagnosis and Treatment
  • Diagnosis: Allergies are diagnosed by allergists through tests like skin prick tests and blood tests​​.
  • Treatment: Involves avoiding allergens, taking medications (antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays), and in some cases, immunotherapy​​. Prevention and Management
  • Preventing Allergic Reactions: Avoiding triggers, keeping a diary of symptoms, and wearing a medical alert bracelet for severe allergies can be helpful​​​​.
  • Living with Allergies: Regular cleaning, using HEPA filters, and avoiding known allergens can manage symptoms. Some children may outgrow their allergies​​.

What is an allergy?

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Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to harmless things, such as pollen or specific foods, treating them as dangerous invaders and creating specific antibodies to fight them​​.

What causes allergies?

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Allergies are caused when the immune system mistakenly identifies harmless substances as threats, leading to the production of IgE antibodies​​.

How does an allergic reaction occur?

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An allergic reaction happens when the body responds to the allergen with IgE antibodies, causing inflammation in the mucous membranes​​.

Are allergies serious?

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Yes, allergies can be serious and significantly impact quality of life. They can be categorized into environmental and life-threatening allergies​​.

Are allergies genetic?

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The tendency to develop allergies is often hereditary, but not everyone in a family will be allergic to the same things​​.

What are the most common allergy symptoms?

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Common symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, coughing, red, watery eyes, and itching around the nose, mouth, or eyes​​.

Can allergies cause a fever?

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No, allergies do not cause a fever. If you have a fever along with common allergy symptoms, it could be due to a cold, flu, or other infection​​.

How are allergies diagnosed and tested?

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Diagnosis involves reviewing health history, physical exams, symptom diaries, and possibly skin prick tests or blood tests​​​​.

What allergy medications and treatments are available?

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Treatments include allergen avoidance, medications (antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, etc.), immunotherapy, and emergency epinephrine for severe allergies​​​​.

What are the most common allergies?

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Common allergens include certain foods, pollen, mold, pet dander, dust mites, and medications​​.

Do I have allergies or a cold?

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This question is addressed by comparing symptoms, as colds and allergies share many symptoms but have key differences, such as the nature of mucus and duration​​.

Conclusion:

Allergies are a common but manageable condition. Understanding triggers, symptoms, and treatment options can significantly improve quality of life for those affected. Regular consultation with healthcare providers is essential for effective management and treatment.