Corpus Christi ENT Sinus & Allergy has a full sinonasal allergy clinic for adult and pediatric patients with skin and blood allergy testing, SCIT traditional immunotherapy, SLIT sublingual immunotherapy.
An allergy is an exaggerated immune response or reaction to substances that are generally not harmful. Allergies are relatively common. Both genetics and environmental factors play a role.
Allergy is caused by an oversensitive immune system, which leads to a misdirected immune response. The immune system normally protects the body against harmful substances, such as bacteria and viruses. It reacts to substances (allergens) that are generally harmless and in most people do not cause a problem.
But in a person with allergies, the immune response is oversensitive. When it recognizes an allergen, it releases chemicals, such as histamines. This causes itching, swelling, mucus production, muscle spasms, hives, rashes, and other symptoms, which vary from person to person.
What part of the body is contacted by the allergen plays a role in the symptoms you develop. For example, allergens that are breathed in often cause a stuffy nose, itchy nose and throat, mucus production, cough, or wheezing. A food allergen can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, or a severe, life-threatening reaction. Allergies to plants often cause a skin rash. Drug allergies usually involve the whole body and can lead to a variety of symptoms.
Certain medical conditions such as sinus problems, eczema, and asthma are linked to allergies.
Common allergens include pollen, mold, pet dander, and dust. Food and drug allergies are common. Allergic reactions can also be caused by insect bites, jewelry, cosmetics, and other substances.
Some people have allergy-like reactions to hot or cold temperatures, sunlight, or other environmental triggers. Sometimes, friction (rubbing or roughly stroking the skin) will cause symptoms.
Whether or not you are likely to develop allergies is often passed down through families. If both your parents have allergies, you are likely to have allergies. The chance is greater if your mother has allergies.
Allergy Exam and Tests, CLICK HERE
ANTIHISTAMINES
Antihistamines are available over-the-counter and by prescription. They are available in many forms, including:
CORTICOSTEROIDS
Anti-inflammatory medications (corticosteroids) are available in many forms, including:
Patients with severe allergic symptoms may be prescribed corticosteroid pills or injections for short periods of time.
DECONGESTANTS
Decongestants can help relieve a stuffy nose. Decongestant nasal spray should not be used for more than several days, because they can cause a "rebound" effect and make the congestion worse. Decongestants in pill form do not cause this problem.
OTHER MEDICINES
Leukotriene inhibitors are medicines that specifically block the substances that trigger allergies. Zafirlukast (Accolate) and montelukast (Singulair) are approved for those with asthma and indoor and outdoor allergies.
Most allergies can be easily treated with medication.
Some children may outgrow an allergy. This is particularly true of food allergies. However, as a general rule, once a substance has triggered an allergic reaction, it continues to affect the person.
Allergy shots are most effective when used to treat those with hay fever or seasonal symptoms. They do not work well for food allergies. Allergy shots may require years of treatment, but they work in about two-thirds of cases. However, they may cause uncomfortable side effects (such as hives and rash) and extremely rare but dangerous outcomes (such as anaphylaxis).
Breast-feeding children for at least 4 months or more may help prevent atopic dermatitis cow milk allergy, and wheezing in early childhood.
However, changing a mother's diet during pregnancy or while breast-feeding does not seem to help prevent allergy-related conditions.
For most children, changing diet or special formulas does not seem to prevent these problems. If there is a family history of eczema and allergies in a parent, brother, or sister, discuss the infant feeding with your child's pediatrician. The timing of introduction of solid foods in general, as well as use of several specific foods, can help prevent some allergies.
There is also evidence that infants exposed to certain airborne allergens (such as dust mites and cat dander) may be less likely to develop related allergies. This is called the "hygiene hypothesis" and sprang from observations that infants on farms tend to have fewer allergies than those who grow up in environments that are more sterile.
Once allergies have developed, treating the allergies and carefully avoiding those things that cause reactions can prevent allergies in the future.
