Allergy symptoms appear when the immune system reacts to an allergic substance that has entered the body. The immune system will produce special antibodies capable of recognizing the same allergic substance if it enters the body at a later time. When an allergen reenters the body, the immune system rapidly recognizes it causing a series of reactions. These reactions often involve tissue destruction, blood vessel dilation, and production of many inflammatory substances including histamine. Histamine produces common allergy symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes, nasal and sinus congestion, headaches, sneezing, scratchy throat, hives, shortness of breath, etc. Other less common symptoms are balance disturbances, skin irritations such as eczema, and even respiratory problems like asthma. For some allergy sufferers symptoms may be seasonal, but for others it is a year-round discomfort. Allergy symptom control is most successful when multiple management approaches are used simultaneously. They may include minimizing exposure to allergens, medications or desensitization with allergy injections.
Our doctors will gather a detailed history and complete a thorough examination of the ears, nose, throat, head, and neck. We offer advice on proper environmental control and evaluate the sinuses to determine if infection or structural abnormality (deviated septum, polyps) is contributing to the symptoms. In addition, the doctor may advise testing to determine the specific allergen that is causing discomfort and may refer you for an allergy evaluation by one of our experienced allergy nurses. In some cases immunotherapy or allergy shots may be recommended.
Allergy Conditions:
- Environmental allergies / Allergic rhinitis
- Food allergies
- Skin conditions
- Hives
- Eczema
- Urticarial
- Reactive airway disease
- Asthma
- Contact allergies
- Breathing difficulty
- Wheezing
- Chronic ear infections
- Ear pressure and popping
- Eustachian tube dysfunction
Allergy Services:
- Prescription medication
- RAST (radioallergosorbent test)
- Skin testing
- Testing for contact allergens
- Patch testing
- Immunotherapy / Allergy Injections