The House Allergy Department offers diagnostic testing and treatment for inhalant and food allergies. They have provided effective and successful treatments to patients from all over the United States and abroad for more than 60 years.
What Causes Allergies?
When your body perceives a threat, your immune system responds by attacking the substances that are invading the body.
Allergies are the result of the immune system responding in an over protective manner to a harmless substance. When an allergen is encountered, antibodies are produced. These trigger the release of chemicals called histamines, which are responsible for the telltale symptoms of allergies.
What Are the Symptoms of Allergies?
Allergies may be seasonal or occur year-round. Hay fever caused by pollen from grasses, trees and weeds is the most common seasonal allergy. Symptoms include:
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Itching
- Sneezing
- Ear fullness
- Skin rash
- Asthma
- Fluid behind the eardrum
How Are Allergies Treated?
The treatment for mild to moderate allergies can include:
- Environmental avoidance
- Antihistamines
- Prescription nasal spray
- Decongestants
For those with moderate to severe allergies or those who do not experience relief from avoidance or medical therapy, immunotherapy (shots) and/or an elimination diet for diagnosed food allergies may be needed.
