Should You Visit an ENT Doctor for Your Allergy Treatment?
If you have tried several over-the-counter medications and they don’t work, you should call our office. Our ENT doctors will perform a thorough ear, nose, and throat examination, review your symptoms with you, and review your health history.
- We can help determine which treatment methods are best for you.
- We can advise on specific environmental controls and determine if other health problems contribute to your symptoms (i.e., infection, deviated septum, polyps, etc.).
- If needed, our ENT doctors will recommend allergy testing.
Why Do People Develop Allergies?
The immune system is a powerful factor when it comes to allergies. When a person encounters specific allergic substances, their immune system reacts, and that is when symptoms transpire. In fact, the immune system produces specific antibodies capable of recognizing the same allergic substances in the future.
When the antibodies keep coming in contact with allergic substances, your allergy symptoms will persist.
Histamine is the culprit for the most common allergy symptoms, including:
- headaches
- sneezing
- watery eyes
- itchy eyes
- scratchy throat
- nasal and sinus congestion
- hives
- shortness of breath
- balance disturbances
- skin irritations (i.e., eczema)
- respiratory problems (i.e., asthma)
What are the Most Common Types of Environmental Allergens?
- Pollens
- Dust Mites
- Mold
- Animal dander
Pollen Allergies
People can experience pollen allergies to several types of grasses, weeds, shrubs, and trees.
Mold Allergies
Mold spores can also be found in homes, they are the culprit for many allergy symptoms. Molds are typically present all year long, as they can grow indoors and outdoors.
- Outdoor molds can be found in damp areas, soil, decaying material, dead leaves and farming areas.
- Indoor mold growth can be found in or on indoor houseplants, bathrooms, old books, damp areas, and certain foods.
Dust Mite Allergies
Unlike pollens which provoke only seasonal symptoms, house dust mite allergens are present every day of the year. House dust mite allergens may produce nasal, eye, lower respiratory, and skin symptoms in a persistent and recurring way.