Allergies are one of the most frequently occurring chronic health conditions here in Weatherford and across the United States. They affect people of all ages, change due to various conditions (including environment, stress, and your overall health), and the symptoms tend to wax and wane.
Allergy symptoms can be mild to life-threatening, but usually they are somewhere in between. Common symptoms include:
- Watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Hives/rash
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Fatigue
If you have an allergic reaction in which you are having trouble breathing, call 911 right away. Anaphylaxis can be a life-threatening condition.
Let’s talk about what allergies are, what you can do to help control your allergic reactions, and where you can go in Weatherford, Texas, for outstanding allergy treatment so you can stay healthy.
Why Do I Experience Allergic Reactions?
Allergic triggers, or allergens, are ordinary substances which we may eat, touch, or inhale – and as we come into contact with them, our bodies overreact. The immune system thinks that the substance is a foreign invader, like a virus or bacterium, so it tries to force the allergen out of the body.
If you are allergic to a given substance, your immune system overproduces proteins called IgE (immunoglobulin E) antibodies. As these antibodies circulate through the body, various reactions can occur – and these are allergy symptoms.
People can develop allergies at varying times during their lifetime and with various levels of intensity. If you have asthma, an allergy can develop. Children are most likely to have allergies that go away over time, whereas an adult-onset allergy tends to continue.
How Can an Allergy Doctor Help with My Allergies?
Your allergy doctor can test you for various allergies by reviewing your medical history, performing a physical exam in the office, and then conducting a skin prick test or a blood test to see which allergens are your allergic triggers. Many people react to:
- Latex (natural rubber, such as exposure to rubber gloves)
- Insect stings or bites
- Animal dander
- Mold
- Pollen
- Foods, such as peanuts or fish
- Medications, such as penicillin or sulfa
- Dust
With these findings in hand, your allergy doctor can explain ways in which you can avoid exposure to the allergen, and how to treat the symptoms if they do occur.
Ways to Control Allergies
For instance, if you sneeze and have watery eyes every time you cut the lawn, you may benefit from taking a decongestant or antihistamine beforehand and using a facial mask to limit how much grass pollen you inhale. Note that your allergy doctor will tell you which kind of mask to wear; a thin mask could be a detriment rather than helpful, because you do want to be able to breathe easily and deeply while you’re outside.
Additionally, your allergy doctor may recommend taking allergy shots. These injections desensitize your body to known allergens.
For severe, life-threatening allergies – such as to bee stings or peanuts – your doctor may recommend that you carry an EpiPen for instant treatment. This self-injected medication stops an anaphylactic reaction, which can inhibit your breathing.
Allergy Treatment in Weatherford, TX
Here at the Lung & Sleep Specialists of North Texas, our medical team can help you manage your allergies so you feel better and enjoy a more productive, symptom-free life.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact us today at (817) 594-9993 or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to seeing you!
