Allergies ruining your plans? Afraid to step outside and enjoy the fresh air? Feel like you can't leave home without stocking up on tissues? Find relief by consulting with a Bellin Health allergy specialist.
Causes & Symptoms
People often refer to Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis as "hay fever". The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) states that seasonal allergies affect more than 35 million children and adults.
Substances called allergens cause seasonal allergies. These allergens are airborne pollens from trees, grasses, weeds and mold spores that frequently trigger allergy symptoms during the spring and fall seasons. Allergic rhinitis may also be caused by indoor allergens such as animal dander, dust mites, and indoor molds. If you are experiencing the following symptoms and want relief, contact our office at (920) 435-6601 and we will assist you in scheduling a consultation with our Board Certified Allergist.
Allergy symptoms often include the following:
- Runny, stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Watery, itchy red eyes
- Itching of the nose, roof of the mouth, throat and ears
Diagnosis
Our physician specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies. We can help determine if you have seasonal allergies, and which types of pollens you are allergic to. Allergy skin testing (prick method) accomplishes this, as it is the most common method for determining your allergies.
If skin testing is not possible, a blood test might be useful. Allergy testing helps predict when you'll have allergy symptoms and is necessary for allergy shots (immunotherapy).
Avoidance
After finding out what you're allergic to, the best thing to do is avoid those things to lessen your symptoms. It might not always be possible because the wind spreads many pollens for many miles. The weather can influence your allergy symptoms. Allergy symptoms are often minimal on rainy, cloudy, windless days.
Check the National Allergy Bureau website for pollen count in your area to know which pollens are there throughout the year.
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe a number of different types of medications for you, as indicated below.
- Decongestants
- Immunotherapy or allergy injections
- Leukotriene modifiers such Singulair
- Nasal sprays including nasal corticosteroids and antihistamines
- Oral antihistamines
