Allergies, while mostly notorious for causing annoying symptoms, can also trigger or exacerbate asthma. Allergy-induced asthma (allergic asthma) occurs when your immune system overreacts to an allergen (e.g., pollen, mold, dust mite, etc.) you inhaled and produces antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (lgE), which then prompt your cells to produce histamine. Histamine is what is…
Common triggers of allergies are found everywhere – not just outside, but also inside. Look around you: Does the place look dusty? When was the last time you changed your bedding, vacuumed the carpet, and cleaned the curtains? Do you keep your windows open, so outdoor allergens, pollution, and smoke particles are entering your home?…
Internal medicine doctors, immunologists, and pulmonologists are all well-versed in conducting tests on a patient in order to determine the cause of an allergy or reaction. You might be allergic to a certain food, a type of plant, dust, insect bites or stings, or synthetic materials. Allergic reactions can range from mildly uncomfortable to life-threatening….
If you or someone in your family is suffering from seasonal allergies, food allergies, asthma, or some other type of unusual reaction, it’s time to see an allergy doctor. Ideally, you’ll want to find a physician who can diagnose and treat people of all ages, so that the whole family can see the same allergy…
When someone has an allergic reaction to a substance, their body mistakenly interprets the substance to be a harmful invader – such as a bacterium or a virus. Many people have allergies to pollen, peanuts, or dust. An allergy is an unpleasant experience capable of hindering your quality of life, and some people’s allergies can…
As allergy season approaches, you may be dreading the sneezing, stuffy head, and runny nose that always comes with it. The seasonal increase of both pollen and mold around you triggers your immune system every time. One allergen that is notorious in our region is mountain cedar – which is actually Ashe juniper – causing…
Anaphylaxis is defined as a hypersensitivity to something after the body has been sensitized to it, thereby causing an immune-system reaction upon exposure. Anaphylactic shock is a severe, sometimes life-threatening reaction to the problematic allergen, and it can close off a person’s airway in minutes or even seconds. The chemicals that are released by the…
