Allergies affect over 30 million individuals in the US. From milk, and dust to pollen, allergies occur due to various factors. The effects might be mild or severe and may include rashes, vomiting, sneezing, coughing, and swelling. Finding help is critical to preventing severe complications. The allergies – Sheepshead Bay specialists at New York Medical and Vascular Care provide allergy tests and treatments to relieve your symptoms and restore your health. Keep reading to learn more about allergies.
What are allergies?
Allergies are reactions that occur when your immune system identifies some substances such as dust or pollen as foreign. They activate antibody production, leading to uncomfortable symptoms.
Allergies are different for everyone, some people may not experience any major changes, while for others the effects might be life-threatening. Allergies have no cure, but your provider may recommend medications and lifestyle modifications to control them.
What are the symptoms of allergies?
Allergies affect various body parts, including the skin, sinuses, airways, or digestive system. However, the symptoms depend on the type of allergy and its severity.
Food allergies occur after a meal and may cause swelling, fatigue, nausea, and hives. Seasonal allergies occur during different weather seasons, caused by substances such as pollen, mold, and dust mites. Seasonal allergy symptoms resemble a cold, such as a runny nose, sneezing, and coughing.
Other common allergy symptoms include skin irritation, itching, lip or tongue swelling, watery eyes, hives, trouble breathing, or chest tightness.
You may also have an allergy reaction to certain medications, such as aspirin or penicillin.
Severe allergies may cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergy reaction. The symptoms may include vomiting, nausea, loss of consciousness, a drop in blood pressure, and lightheadedness.
What are the risk factors for allergies?
Allergies can occur to anyone, regardless of gender, age, race, or background. But you have a higher chance of developing allergies if you have a family history of allergies, asthma, or eczema.
Diagnosis of allergies
The New York Specialty Clinics team diagnoses allergies by assessing your medical history and discusses your symptoms’ frequency, severity, and effects in your daily life.
They also request screening tests, including
Skin test
A skin test involves your provider making several pinpricks and exposing you to allergens. Your skin will swell or turn red if you are allergic to the allergen. The test helps which substance you are allergic to.
Blood test
It is a procedure to measure allergy-triggering antibody levels in your blood. The test only needs a simple blood draw, hence is fast and painless.
Treatments for allergies
Your treatment option depends on the allergy triggers and the severity of your symptoms. Avoiding your allergy triggers is an effective method to better your living. However, it starts by identifying your triggers and taking measures to prevent them.
Your provider also offers prescription medications, emergency epinephrine, and immunotherapy to help manage your allergy.
It may take some time to notice allergies, but you should consult a health physician to identify the allergies and determine the cause. Avoiding allergy triggers is the best way to prevent allergies. Contact New York Medical and Vascular Care to schedule your consultation.
