Allergies

What are allergies?

Allergies are an overreaction by your body’s immune system to certain substances that you come into contact with, called allergens. 

The immune systems of people with allergies mistakenly identify these substances as a threat and produce antibodies in response, causing a range of unpleasant symptoms. Examples of common allergens include:

• Pollen
• Animal dander
• Dust mites
• Mold
• Peanuts
• Wheat
• Soy
• Fish and shellfish
• Eggs
• Milk
• Insect stings
• Medications such as penicillin
• Latex

For the many millions who live with them, allergies can have a significant impact on their quality of life. For some, their allergy is so severe it causes anaphylaxis, a condition that can lead to death if untreated. 

The team at Hale Family Practice can help people who have allergies, improve their quality of life, and keep them safe from anaphylaxis.

What are the symptoms of allergies?

The symptoms you experience in response to an allergen relate to the systems affected. For example, an allergy to something you breathe in causes respiratory symptoms, while an allergen in food causes digestive problems. Typical allergic responses include:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Congestion
• Watering eyes
• Red, swollen eyes
• Swollen tongue and lips
• Tingling mouth
• Swelling of the face
• Hives
• Swollen throat
• Itching
• Reddened skin
• Flaking or peeling skin

If an allergen causes anaphylaxis, additional symptoms include nausea and vomiting, loss of consciousness, breathing difficulties, and a weak or rapid pulse. 

If you’re vulnerable to anaphylaxis, Hale Family Practice prescribes a portable epinephrine auto-injector that you or someone with you can use to combat anaphylaxis.

How are allergies diagnosed and treated?

To diagnose the cause of your allergy, the team at Hale Family Practice discusses your symptoms with you and performs a physical exam, followed by a skin prick test or blood tests to look for possible allergens. They perform allergy testing onsite for fast and more convenient service.

You can help by recording any information that could point to the culprit. For example, note what you were doing before each allergy attack began to see if there are any patterns that could indicate what triggers an allergy attack.

Once you know your allergens, you can avoid coming into contact with them. Hale Family Practice can also give you a weekly shot to reduce the severity of your symptoms and the intensity of your immune system response.

Immunotherapy is also helpful for some patients with allergies, especially when other approaches don’t offer sufficient relief.

Find out more about the cause of your allergy and how to successfully manage allergies by calling Hale Family Practice or requesting an appointment online today.