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Allergic reactions happen in response to encountering normal substances in your everyday environment. If you touch, inhale or eat something that sends your immune system into overdrive, you may develop respiratory, skin, or gastrointestinal symptoms. Let us look at when it is time to seek professional intervention for allergic reactions. Your well-being and even your life can depend on treatment.
You Experience Frequent Allergy Symptoms
People who suffer with allergies and/or asthma have overactive immune systems. When exposed to an allergic trigger (allergens), they react with an inflammatory response: mast cells and basophils in the blood steam release substances called histamines which increase white blood cells and consequently inflammation. This immune system reaction causes a wide array of symptoms which can vary in intensity from bothersome to life-threatening.
Examples of allergy symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Watery eyes
- Runny/congested nose
- Hives or other kinds of skin rashes
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Anaphylaxis (life-threatening constriction of the airway)
If you have persistent allergy symptoms–ones which last for weeks to months – you should be evaluated by an allergy specialist who can review your symptoms. They can test you for sensitivity to specific allergens and create a treatment plan.
You Have Frequent Upper Respiratory Infections, Including Acute Sinusitis
People who have a lot of respiratory allergies often have the flu, sinusitis, bronchitis and more. If you have more than two “colds” a year, you likely need to control your allergies with the help of a specialist.
You Have Developed Asthma, Or Your Asthma Symptoms Have Worsened Due to Allergies
People with allergies or with a genetic predisposition to allergies are at risk for developing asthma or having their existing asthma worsen. An allergist can identify your triggers and help manage symptoms with immunotherapy (allergy shots), leukotriene inhibiting medications, avoidance of triggers and standard inhaled asthma medications.
Our bodies change over time. Once mild allergy and/or asthma symptoms can transition to more severe symptoms. Make sure you stay on top of your asthma symptoms and get treatment if they worsen.
Your Over-The-Counter Medications Do Not Effectively Relieve Symptoms
Perhaps your over-the-counter allergy medications worked well for your seasonal or skin allergies for a long period of time. Now, however, you have several episodes of breakthrough symptoms. That means it is time to seek professional help from an allergy specialist to get the right assessment and treatment.
You Have Experienced an Anaphylactic Reaction
You were stung by a bee and wound up in the emergency room with dizziness and severe shortness of breath. This life-threatening allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. If this has happened to you or to a loved one, follow-up with an allergy doctor is necessary to determine how to avoid anaphylactic reactions in the future. Most individuals with severe allergic reactions carry injectable epinephrine or other medication for immediate use as needed.
Allergic Reaction Treatment in Northeastern Illinois
At Oak Brook Allergists, our three board-certified allergy doctors treat both adults and children for allergic reactions of all types. Anyone who has persistent or severe allergies should seek a personalized consultation at one of our four offices: Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Naperville or Plainfield, Illinois. You can now manage your allergies and asthma and experience a healthy life!
Call us today at(630) 574-0460 or request a visit by filling out our online appointment request form.
