5 Common Allergy Questions Answered!

Many people suffer from symptoms like a runny nose or nasal congestion causing breathing issues. The discomfort caused by these symptoms can wreak havoc on quality of life. We’ve got answers to the 5 most common allergy questions for you:

1. Why am I allergic to something?

Some people’s immune systems mistakenly identify a harmless substance with an invading organism and attack it. When our immune system fights off certain substances, the reaction is a cascade of events. These events include itchy or watery eyes, congestion, sneezing or rash. Allergic reactions may also change how a person is able to breathe and could become life-threatening.

Relief can be achievable, you just have to know the steps to finding out a path for treatment.

2. How can we find out what I’m allergic to?

Multiple types of allergy tests are available, and can easily be completed in one appointment at the ENT office. ENT stands for Ear, Nose and Throat physician. The most common are allergy skin testing and blood testing.

Allergy skin tests are most commonly used for allergies to pollen, trees and dust. This is where multiple allergens are placed on the skin where they can enter through a small hole created by a pin prick. Your ENT physician will then measure the reaction, if any, that your skin has to the substance. Immediate reactions are measured with this type of test, so this is a good test for things like food allergies.

Allergy blood testing is normally reserved for patients who have a known allergy or who can’t undergo skin testing for a specific reason. For example if someone has a peanut allergy, skin testing would not be appropriate. A blood test would be completed to determine the severity of that peanut allergy. Allergy blood tests are not instantly available, but can provide very detailed results for a clearer understanding of what’s making you symptomatic.

3. What types of treatments are available to me?

There are many options to treat allergy issues. Here are the most common:

Antihistamines – medications that control chemicals that your body releases creating allergy symptoms
Nasal steroid sprays – can reduce swelling and inflammation inside your nasal passages
Allergy shots – a type of immunotherapy where a small amount of a specific allergen is injected into your body, which creates antibodies to block the allergen
Allergy drops – a type of immunotherapy where a small amount of a specific allergen (specifically blended for your allergens) is placed in your mouth

4. What is the success rate of these treatments?

Success rate of a treatment will depend on multiple factors, including how often you are providing a treatment for a certain symptom, as well as how your body reacts to certain substances. For example, allergy shots are successful when a person stays consistent with administration.

5. How long will my results last?

Length of treatment results will vary depending on the allergen and on the person. For treatments like antihistamines or sprays, the relief may last as long as you’re taking the medication. For treatments like allergy shots, there are multiple phases and the length of symptom relief will last longer between shots once a certain amount of shots has been given.

How soon can I make my appointment?

If you’re experiencing a chronic post-nasal drip, nasal congestion or allergy symptoms, seek evaluation and treatment from an otolaryngologist, like Dr. John Fewins, today!