Our Services / Allergies

What causes allergies?

Allergies develop when your immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance as a danger to your body. Every time you encounter that substance in the future, your immune system activates an allergic response.

These are a few examples of the most common allergens:

Seasonal allergies and other airborne allergies

• Pollen (trees, weeds, grasses)
• Dust mites
• Pet dander
• Mold spores

Contact allergies

• Poison ivy, oak, and sumac
• Nickel and gold (in jewelry)
• Latex or rubber
• Perfumes and perfumed products
• Cleaning products and soaps

Stinging insect allergies

• Bees
• Wasps
• Hornets
• Yellowjackets
• Fire ants

Medication allergies

• Penicillin
• Antibiotics containing sulfonamides
• Anticonvulsants
• Chemotherapy drugs
• Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

More than 90% of all food allergies are caused by peanuts, eggs, milk, tree nuts, wheat, fish, shellfish, or soy.

What symptoms develop due to allergies?

The symptoms you develop are related to your allergen. For example, contact allergens cause a skin rash, while airborne allergens affect your nose.

As a group, however, allergies cause symptoms such as:

• Sneezing
• Runny or congested nose
• Red, watery eyes
• Red, watery eyes
• Skin rash or hives
• Swelling
• Nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain (food allergies)

Food, insect venom, and latex allergies can cause a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency in which symptoms such as dizziness, difficulty breathing, and a swollen tongue or throat rapidly escalate and have the potential to become life-threatening.

How do you diagnose and treat allergies?

The only way to identify your specific allergen is with allergy testing. Dr. Friedman most often performs skin prick tests, which are done in the office and produce results in about 15 minutes.

The first line of treatment for allergies includes medications to relieve your symptoms and a plan to avoid your allergens as much as possible. If your symptoms are severe or they don’t improve, Dr. Friedman may recommend allergy shots.

When you get allergy shots, each shot contains a small amount of your allergen. As you receive a series of shots, the dose is slowly increased, allowing your immune system to build up a tolerance to the allergen.

Over the course of your treatment, your allergic reactions are significantly diminished, or in some cases, your symptoms may disappear.

To get help with allergies, call Allergy, Asthma, Bronchitis, and Immunology Associates or schedule an appointment online today.