Itchy nose, throat, eyes? Sneezing, congestion, runny nose?

There’s a chance you have allergies! If you live in Charlotte, NC make an appointment today to speak with one of our Asthma specialists.

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

What are Allergies?

An allergy is a chronic condition involving an abnormal reaction to an ordinarily harmless substance called an allergen. If you have an allergy, your immune system views the allergen as an invader and a chain reaction is initiated. White blood cells of the immune system produce IgE antibodies. These antibodies attach themselves to special cells called mast cells, causing a release of potent chemicals such as histamine. These chemicals cause symptoms such as itching in the nose, roof of the mouth, throat, eyes, sneezing, stuffy nose (congestion), runny nose, tearing eyes and dark circles under the eyes. Does this sounds like you? Don’t worry, your Charlotte allergy specialists can help!

Common Allergies

Seasonal Allergies

Each season, tiny particles known as pollen are released from trees, weeds, and grasses. As pollen blows through the air, it is inhaled into our noses and throats, triggering a type of seasonal allergic rhinitis called pollen allergy, also known as hay fever. Pollen allergies, including ragweed pollen, grass pollen and tree pollen, affect millions of Americans each year. Symptoms of pollen allergies include sneezing, wheezing, runny nose, and itchy and watery eyes. There are many different types of seasonal allergy treatments available.

Food Allergies

While any food can cause an allergic reaction, the most commonly diagnosed and treated food allergies are caused by peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, milk, and eggs. A food allergist can give patients expert care in the specifics of their disease, including the cause of the allergic reaction determined by food allergy testing, education about food avoidance and use of emergency measures in case of exposure.

Insect Allergies

An insect venom allergy is an adverse reaction of the immune system to an insect bite or sting. Bites and stings from yellow jackets, honeybees, paper wasps, hornets, and fire ants can cause severe and deadly reactions.

Pet Allergies

Allergies to dogs, cats, and other animals tend to be hereditary. Reactions are caused by an immune system response to proteins present in the animal saliva, dander or urine.

Skin Disorders

There are several types of allergic skin conditions that may require treatment. Red, bumpy, scaly, itchy, swollen skin might be signs of hives, angioedema, contact dermatitis (like from nickel or latex) or eczema.

Common Procedures

Prick Tests

Prick Tests involve applying suspected allergens to the surface of the skin (topically) and then pricking the skin to introduce the substances into the skin. These tests, which usually are performed on the forearm, upper arm, or upper back, allow several allergens to be tested at the same time. Allergic reactions (e.g., itching, redness, swelling) usually develop within 20 minutes. Intradermal tests, which involve injecting a small amount of allergen into the outer layer of skin, may be required to conclusively rule out allergic sensitivities; often used to diagnose hay fever, food allergies, drug allergies and latex allergy.

Allergy Blood Tests

While not done in our office, a physician may order a allergy blood test whichs involves taking a blood sample, adding an allergen to the sample, and measuring the amount of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies produced in response to the allergen. Allergy blood tests, which are less sensitive and more expensive than skin tests, are usually reserved for rare cases when allergy skin tests may not be accurate (e.g., when the patient has sensitive skin that reacts to a saline prick test or has a skin condition, such as hives or eczema, that prevents an adequate field for skin tests).