Do you or a loved one suffer from allergies? You’re not alone. In fact, according to the American College of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology, more than 50 million people in the U.S. suffer from allergies.
During an allergic process, the substance responsible for causing the allergy, or allergen, binds to allergic antibodies present on allergic cells in a person’s body, including mast cells and basophils. These cells then release chemicals such as histamine and leukotrienes, resulting in allergic symptoms. Fortunately, at Asthma & Allergy Associates, we can test and treat allergies to help you return to a normal, comfortable lifestyle.
Contact us to schedule an appointment to talk to one of our Colorado Springs allergy doctors:
Your allergy consultation, testing, and treatment may be covered by your insurance. We accept all major insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE. Please contact your insurance company for coverage details. We also accept cash and credit card payments.
What Is an Allergy?
An allergy is an abnormal reaction by a person’s immune system against a normally harmless substance. A person without allergies would have no reaction to this substance, but when a person who is allergic encounters the trigger, the body reacts by releasing chemicals that cause allergy symptoms. However, just because there is a cause and effect between exposure to a substance and the development of allergy symptoms does not always mean that a person is allergic to that substance. For example, medications have known and expected side effects; a person experiencing one of these side effects is not necessarily allergic to that medication. Sensitive but not allergic.
How Do Allergies Start?
The allergic person can make allergic antibodies, or IgE, against a variety of allergens, to include:
- pollens
- molds
- animal danders
- dust mites
- foods
- venoms
- medications
This occurs through a process called sensitization, in which a person’s immune system is exposed to sufficient amounts of the allergen to elicit allergic antibodies against that substance. With subsequent exposures, the same allergen binds to its corresponding IgE on allergic cells, and the body responds with allergic symptoms. Allergy symptoms can vary somewhat with the type of allergen and route of exposure (airborne pollen exposure may cause different symptoms than eating a food to which you are allergic).
When and Why Do People Develop Allergies?
It is unknown why some people develop allergies, and some don’t. Allergies seem to run in families, and in some cases, family members can share allergies to specific foods or medications. It appears that the allergic response was once meant to protect the body against parasitic infections, although it now appears to be an abnormal response to noninfectious triggers. Allergies can occur at any time in life, but are more common in childhood or young adulthood.
Allergy Testing
If you’re constantly sneezing, coughing, or have a runny nose, it might be time to get tested for allergies. We can test for various types of allergic responses, including rashes, nausea, and headaches, which require a medical specialist.
Before testing for allergies, write down the details of symptoms experienced, as well as when and where they occur. Your physician will also want to know about your home, school, or work environments. This helps us determine whether the patient is exposed to specific environmental allergens.
Many substances can cause allergic reactions. To determine which substance is triggering symptoms, allergy testing usually involves skin testing on the forearm or back to observe reactions such as bumps or welts. This procedure involves a physician marking the patient’s arm with a grid and numbers to track each allergic trigger. In addition, a nurse must perform a fingerstick to obtain blood for laboratory analysis.
Treatment Options for Allergies
Treating allergies involves several methods, and their use depends on the severity of a patient’s allergies. Many people with mild allergies find that taking a decongestant and/or an antihistamine can greatly reduce the allergic reaction they experience. However, this is most effective for patients with hay fever or rhinitis. Other patients find considerable relief from topical steroid medications. For severe, potentially fatal allergies, epinephrine may be needed. It is administered in emergency settings as an injection. This is commonly referred to as an ‘Epi-Pen.’
At Asthma and Allergy Associates P.C., our trained allergy doctors can provide extensive allergy testing and counseling for those who are experiencing symptoms. They can talk to patients about how to care for themselves and manage their allergies, regardless of the type of reaction they are experiencing.
Allergic patients can live normal lives. Allergies can be managed through a combination of medicines, immunotherapy, and avoidance of allergic triggers. Regardless, it is important that allergy sufferers manage their condition as much as possible. Allergic reactions can worsen over time, and patients may develop new allergies. The highly trained professionals at AACOS are there to help patients break the cycle of allergy suffering and move on with their lives.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit our offices in Colorado Springs or Pueblo to learn more about your specific allergy symptoms.