What Are Allergies?
Where do my allergies come from?
Had allergy symptoms for years without knowing why? A lot of it comes down to your genes.
Your immune system makes antibodies to fight off real threats. Sometimes it gets a harmless substance wrong and attacks that instead. The substance is called an allergen, and the reaction is your allergy.
When an allergen gets in, your body reacts. That is the reaction that makes you itch and swell.
Are there common allergy triggers?
Some common allergy triggers include:
Skin rashes often come from contact with latex, plants, soap, cosmetics or jewelry.
What symptoms can my allergies cause?
Your symptoms will not match everyone else's. These are the common ones:
Doctors group nose symptoms under the word rhinitis. There are two kinds: allergic and non-allergic. Rhinitis symptoms include:
What is allergic rhinitis (hay fever)?
Hay fever is an allergy that affects your sinuses. Your body overreacts to things that are not infections: pollen, mold, dust mites, animal hair, smoke, some foods and some medicines. Some of these are worse at certain times of year:
- The height of tree pollen production normally occurs between late March and early April.
- Hay Fever allergies are more common during the spring and late summer.
- Falling leaves during October and November lead to more allergic reactions from mold spores.
Can hay fever last all year?
Yes. Year-round hay fever is usually set off by things in your home: pet hair, carpet, upholstery, mold and houseplants.
Sometimes it is not allergies at all
Non-allergic rhinitis comes from irritants, not an allergic reaction. Common ones are cigarette smoke, pollution, strong odors, alcohol and cold air. A deviated septum, an infection, or overusing nasal spray can also cause it.
Dealing with chronic rhinitis? See our page on treating chronic rhinitis.
How are allergies diagnosed and treated?
Your ENT will take your family and medical history, then do a blood test or a skin prick test.
Your history should include:
A physical exam helps your ENT decide which allergens to test first.
The skin prick test
This is the most common allergy test. Several allergens are pricked into your skin at once. How your skin reacts tells your doctor which allergies you have and how strong they are.
What treatment is right for me?
Allergies differ, so your treatment plan should be built around you.
We will work with you to build a plan that fits. Your plan may include:
Avoiding your triggers helps. Ways to do that:
- Stay indoors during peak pollen time
- Remove carpeting that traps dust mites and mold
- Eliminate leaks and use dehumidifiers to help slow or stop the spread of mold
- Wear a mask during an unavoidable exposure
Medicines can control symptoms, but they do not change the cause. Your plan may include:
- Antihistamines
- Decongestants
- Mucous reducers
- Nasal rinses
Immunotherapy is treatment that retrains your immune system. Both types carry a risk of a whole-body allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis. The two types are:
- Traditional injection therapy (allergy shots)
- Sublingual immunotherapy (under the tongue allergy drops)
Read more about allergy drops and allergy shots.
Talk to an ENT about your allergies
We will work with you to find your triggers and build a plan that fits. Call (678) 689-1100.
