Allergies & Asthma

What are allergies?

Allergies are your immune system’s response to something unlikely to cause you harm. Your immune system protects you from viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms that can cause disease. It identifies them and attacks them, so you recover or don’t even get sick after a short illness.

If you have allergies, your immune system responds vigorously to specific substances. Common allergens (things that cause allergies) include:

• Pollen
• Dust
• Animal dander
• Mold
• Insect venom
• Latex
• Medications like penicillin

Some foods can also trigger allergies. These include peanuts, wheat, eggs, soy, shellfish, and milk.

Allergies to substances you breathe into your lungs tend to cause sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, and congestion. Allergies to things you touch, like latex, can cause a rash, blistering, and cracked skin.

Food allergies are among the most dangerous. They can cause severe digestive upsets and make your lips and tongue swell. Food allergies can also trigger anaphylaxis, a state of shock that affects your breathing, lowers your blood pressure, and leads to unconsciousness. It can be fatal.

What is asthma?

Asthma develops when the linings of your airways become inflamed, swell, and narrow, making it hard to get air in and out of your lungs.

Stress, exertion, illness, or allergies to dust, pollen, mold, or pet dander can trigger an asthma attack. You or your child might struggle to breathe, causing considerable distress. Severe asthma attacks can be fatal if you don’t get the right medicines.

Your United Physician Group doctor runs blood or skin prick tests to determine if you have an allergy, asthma, or allergic asthma. Their on-site lab handles these tests. You might require breathing assessments like spirometry to diagnose asthma.

How are allergies and asthma treated?

Avoidance is key to allergy and asthma treatment. The more you reduce your exposure to allergens, the less likely you are to experience symptoms. With food allergies, avoidance is vital because few treatments are available.

Medicines like antihistamines can help by reducing the body’s excessive reaction to allergens. You might need steroids for severe inflammation. If you’re at risk of anaphylaxis, you should carry an epinephrine injector (EpiPen®) for emergencies.

If you have asthma, your United Physician Group doctor will prescribe medicines to reduce airway inflammation. You should also carry an inhaler to provide quick aid during asthma attacks.

Call United Physician Group today or schedule a consultation online to benefit from expert allergy and asthma care.