An allergic reaction is caused by a heightened immune response to a substance, be it dust, smoke, pollen, pet dander, certain household products, or even food, such as peanuts or shellfish. To others, the same substances may not produce a reaction, but to an allergy sufferer, it may cause them to sneeze, cough, wheeze, or break out in hives.
You know your allergies are bad if they cause you to miss work, prevent you from falling asleep, and render you unable to function effectively. Food allergies and insect sting allergies can turn fatal if not treated promptly.
So here goes the bottom-line question: how do you prevent or get rid of bad allergies then? Let’s find out.
Treatment
Allergy treatment typically consists of the following approaches. Both avoidance and medications are usually the first-line treatment for allergies.
· Avoidance
Allergy treatment involves identifying your triggers and avoiding them. It pays to consult an allergist to perform a thorough evaluation and run some tests so as to pinpoint the cause of your allergies.
If you have food allergies, it can be very tricky since allergens like nuts or milk are used in so many food preparations. Your best bet is to check food labels or make sure to ask whether the food contains a specific allergen if you dine in restaurants.
Allergies to pollen or dust are also challenging since they are all around. HEPA filters can help reduce the number of allergens in the home. When outdoors, masks can help reduce exposure to pollen and dust. If you have a pollen allergy, it is recommended that you check the pollen count in the area before heading outdoors.
To lower your risk of getting stung by an insect and consequently prevent insect sting allergies, stay away from places where insects nest. If you see a swarm of bees near your home, make sure to call a professional to safely handle it. If you ever go near beehives, make sure to put on beekeeping protective gear.
· Medications
Depending on the allergy symptoms, allergy doctors can prescribe allergy medications. Hives and nasal allergies may be controlled using antihistamines such as Zyrtec, Claritin, or Allegra or using steroids, such as prednisone. Asthma symptoms may be controlled using bronchodilators and steroids delivered through rescue inhalers. Severe allergies to food and insect stings usually involve the use of an epinephrine shot (EpiPen).
· Immunotherapy
Allergy sufferers with severe symptoms may also receive immunotherapy, which involves introducing small amounts of the allergen to the body until the body acclimatizes to it. The allergen is administered over a specified period of time until the body no longer launches an immune response. Allergy shots are delivered through injection or drops.
Allergy Treatment in Sarasota and Bradenton, FL
At Intercoastal Medical Group, a board-certified allergist and immunologist Dr. Matthew Aresery is the expert who will help accurately identify your allergy triggers and effectively take full control of your symptoms. Based on the results of his thorough evaluation, Dr. Aresery will devise a personalized treatment plan that best suits your needs and situation.
To make an appointment with Dr. Aresery, call (941) 362-8640 or use our online request form.
