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When should you consult an allergist?

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Approximately 50 million Americans have asthma, hay fever or
other allergy related conditions. You can spot them from across
the room - tissue in hand, sneezing, sniffling, blowing their
nose, tearing, and rubbing their eyes. This is a common
presentation for millions of children and adults who suffer from
the misery of allergies.

If fortunate, these symptoms are but a
minor inconvenience, but, if severe, they can significantly
affect one's quality of life. Allergies involving the nose
(rhinitis) and eyes (conjunctivitis) are almost always caused by
contact of an offending "allergen" to the mucous membrane lining
of the nose or eyes. Constant exposure for the allergic
individual can cause daily symptoms, resulting in what your
physician would diagnose as persistent, chronic, or perennial
allergic rhinitis.

Common allergens responsible for these
chronic symptoms may include house dust mites, mold spores,
indoor pets, cockroach allergen, or feathers. Symptoms of
allergic rhinitis can also be acute or intermittent, presenting
only when one is exposed to a relevant allergen. One of the most
common presentations of allergies is seasonal allergic rhinitis
or "hay fever". As its name implies, symptoms will present
during the pollen seasons, most typically in the spring during
the tree and grass pollinating times, and in the fall when
ragweed and other weed pollens are present.

You may want to consider a visit to an allergist if the following symptoms are
present on a daily basis or seasonally: . Itchy, swollen, red,
tearing eyes . Itching of the nose, ears, eyes, or throat .
Runny nose . Sneezing . Nasal congestion . Persistent post-nasal
drip Allergic rhinitis is actually one of the easiest diagnoses
for your physician to make. If the medical history suggests
allergic rhinitis, an allergist will likely perform allergy
testing in order to confirm the diagnosis, identify the
offending allergen(s), and ascertain the severity of the
allergy.

The preferable testing method by most allergists is
skin testing. This method allows the testing of multiple
allergens simultaneously, with the results being immediately
available. Alternatively, similar results can be obtained
through a blood test called RAST or ImmunoCap. Once the relevant
allergens have been identified, an allergist will recommend a
comprehensive treatment plan. This plan may include one or all
of the following: . Environmental control - minimizing exposure
to allergens that you are sensitive to .

Pharmacotherpy - medicines including antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays, and
other non-steroidal blockers of inflammation . Immunotherapy or
desensitization - extracts of allergens (pollens, dust, molds,
etc.) are introduced into the body to induce an immunologic
response, resulting in the eventual reduction or elimination of
the allergic reaction. Historically, this form of treatment was
available only by injection. Recent advances now allow the
desensitization process to be given, in selected patients, by
taking drops under the tongue, a process called sublingual
immunotherapy (SLIT).

The most severe allergic reaction is
called anaphylaxis. The most common causes of anaphylaxis
include the ingestion of a highly allergenic food, such as
peanuts, tree nuts, and shell-fish, or a medicine. The sting of
a yellow jacket, wasp, hornet, or honeybee, or the bite of a
fire ant can also result in a severe allergic reaction in a
susceptible individual. The symptoms of anaphylaxis vary from
person to person. For some, they may be mild and include only
generalized itching and urticaria (hives).

In more severe reactions, however, they can include involvement of the
respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems, and can be
fatal if not treated quickly and aggressively by the
administration of epinephrine. Epinephrine can be self injected
with the use of an EpiPen or Twinject. Symptoms of full blown
anaphylaxis may include:

. Difficulty breathing
. Hives or swelling
. Tightness of the throat
. Hoarse voice
. Nausea
. Vomiting
. Abdominal pain
. Diarrhea
. Dizziness
. Low blood pressure
. Cardiac arrest

. Shock Those who have had anaphylaxis or are at risk for
anaphylaxis should be evaluated by a board certified allergist
for confirmation, identification of the allergen(s), and
education regarding prevention, recognition, and self treatment
of anaphylaxis.

There are many preventative measures allergy
sufferers can take to protect themselves from potentially
dangerous allergic reactions. Education is the best medicine.
And, consider consulting an allergist for the most complete and
up-to-date treatments available.

More detailed descriptions of common allergies and asthma can be
found on the website, allergymedsites.com.

About the author:
Bryan Morris is a medical sales professional and likes doing
research works on various types of allergies and their possible
cure. He likes to share information about nasal allergy, peanut
allergy, Asthma and its possible cure by expert allergy specialist.

 

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