Allergy symptoms can be irritating and disruptive, but many people are able to manage their allergies on their own by avoiding their triggers and using over-the-counter allergy medications. Others, however, might need more assistance to ease their symptoms. Read on to find out if you fall into this camp.
Signs Your Allergies Need a Doctor
Some allergy symptoms, such as mild sneezing and itching, may not require medical attention at all. But if you’re experiencing one or more of these complications due to allergies, you might need to go beyond a daily antihistamine and seek the help of a doctor.
- Symptoms worsen. Allergies tend to change over our lifetimes due to exposure and changes in our bodies, but if they’ve become noticeably worse in the past few years and are affecting your quality of life, it’s time to take action.
- Not responding to medication. If you’ve been using over-the-counter medications to manage your allergies and they’re not bringing the relief you need, don’t up the dosage; instead, seek medical help to find out why and potentially get a prescription for something stronger.
- Asthma. Asthma is an inflammation of the airways in your lungs, and it can lead to difficulty breathing, wheezing and chest tightness. Just like anything that obstructs your airways, it can be extremely dangerous.
- Allergies cause other complications. Allergies generally target the nose, eyes, lungs, throat and skin, and the symptoms are usually caused by inflammation and irritation (think itchiness, wateriness, soreness). But these can develop into other health conditions, like a sinus infection or eczema.
- You aren’t sure what you’re allergic to. There’s nothing more disconcerting than suffering a sudden allergic reaction and not knowing what triggered it. An allergist can help you find clarity.
What Is an Allergist?
Allergists are specialists who can help you manage your allergies or other conditions that affect your immune system. They have special training in allergy and immunology (the study of the immune system). They can perform allergy tests, prescribe medications or devices to treat allergic reactions, treat allergies with immunotherapy, diagnose asthma, diagnose immunodeficiency disorders and perform many other functions related to diagnosing and treating problems with the immune system.
Our team at Carolina Pines ENT is practiced in all of these things.
How an Allergist Can Help You Find Relief
Allergists have several tricks up their sleeves for managing allergies.
First, there’s allergy testing, which is especially beneficial for those who aren’t sure what they’re allergic to. By introducing a tiny amount of allergens into your system and closely monitoring you for a reaction, we can confirm which substance (or substances) triggers your uncomfortable symptoms and go from there.
Next, we can make lifestyle change recommendations that may help you avoid allergy flare-ups. Some things, like pollen, are harder to avoid than others, but we know many techniques that can help you mitigate your exposure.
We can also prescribe stronger allergy medications, such as nasal corticosteroid sprays or stronger antihistamines, as well as emergency treatment options, such as an inhaler or an EpiPen.
Finally, we can guide you through long-term allergy management, known as immunotherapy. Immunotherapy reduces allergic reactions by desensitizing your immune system to your allergic triggers. This treatment can take a couple of years for completion, but it will permanently change how your body reacts to its triggers.
If you know you need help with your allergies, start at Carolina Pines ENT. We can help you identify your allergies and work with you on a customized treatment and management plan. Call today to learn more.