POLLEN COUNT
If you have allergies, you most likely have a lot of questions for your doctor. It is important to scope and understand your allergies to avoid not only discomfort from reactions but also to avoid life-threatening situations. Here is a list of frequently asked questions about allergies for your reference.
Can Allergies Develop at My Age?
If you’re an adult, you may be wondering if your symptoms are even allergies if you’ve never had them before. This is because most allergies develop during childhood. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t develop allergies as an adult. In fact, many people develop some sort of allergy or food sensitivity as they get older. Allergies can develop in adulthood because your immune system changes over time. As a result, you could have a reaction to a substance that you previously didn’t have a reaction to.
Will My Allergies Ever Go Away?
Some people have allergies for life. Every time they are exposed to the allergen, they experience bodily reactions. For some, this isn’t necessarily true. In fact, some people experience episodes of allergic reactions in between dormant periods. This means, for months at a time, you may not react to an allergen, but suddenly begin to have allergic reactions for a few weeks or months at a time. Since the immune system is constantly changing, your allergies may eventually disappear or at least decrease in severity over time.
Instead of relying on your allergies to disappear, which may never happen, you should visit an allergy doctor for treatment. This way, even if your allergies never go away, you will be able to have significant control over it and can maintain a good quality of life.
What Are My Allergy Triggers?
An allergist can narrow down your triggers through allergy testing, such as a skin patch test or blood testing. Sometimes, your doctor may recommend exclusion, which is avoiding contact with a certain substance for a designated period of time and seeing if your reaction stops. If this happens, you will be exposed to the substance again to see if a reaction occurs again. Once you know your triggers, you can actively avoid them, so that reactions do not occur. Avoiding your triggers is essential when it comes to controlling your allergies.
If I Have One Allergy, Am I More Likely to Have Others?
This answer varies from person to person. Some people only have allergies to one specific allergen, such as dust mites or peanuts. Others have allergies to multiple allergens, such as dust mites, pollen, grass, and ragweed or the entire nut family. Determining if there are other substances you are allergic to will require testing through an allergist. Through a patch or blood test, your doctor can figure out if other allergens exist that you will have a reaction to. It is important to keep in mind that you will not react the same way to every single allergen. For example, you may have a severe reaction to peanuts, but only congestion to pollen. Therefore, the treatment plan for each allergen will be different.
Allergy Care From Allergists in Downers Grove, IL
Oak Brook Allergists has four convenient locations that are fully staffed with board-certified allergy specialists. Our doctors can help you get control of your allergies, even if they are severe. When you see one of our allergists, you’ll receive comprehensive testing to determine your triggers. Then, we will work with you to develop a treatment plan that ensures you experience the least amount of symptoms possible due to your condition.
Contact Oak Brook Allergists, serving Downers Grove, Plainfield, Naperville, Elmhurst, and the nearby areas, for help with your allergies. Call (630) 574-0460 or fill out our online appointment request form.
