Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- Could anything else, such as a cold or the flu, be causing my symptoms?
- How do I figure out what Im allergic to?
- Is my allergy seasonal?
- I am allergic to _____. Am I at risk for any other allergies?
- What changes can I make at home to relieve my symptoms?
- Will any over-the counter medicines relieve my symptoms?
- What should I do if my symptoms get worse or dont respond to the treatment youve prescribed?
- Do I need to see an allergy specialist ?
Safeguards Are In Place
CDC has provided recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination providers about how to prepare for the possibility of a severe allergic reaction:
- All people who get a COVID-19 vaccine should be monitored on site. People who should be monitored for 30 minutes include:
- People who had a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis due to any cause
- People who had any type of immediate onset allergic reaction to a non-COVID-19 vaccine or injectable therapy
- People who had a severe allergic reaction to one type of COVID-19 vaccinefor example, a severe allergic reaction to the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and are now receiving the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccineshould be observed for 30 minutes following the vaccination. This vaccination should only be done in a health clinic, medical facility or doctors office.
- People who have had an immediate onset allergic reaction that was not severe from a previous dose of that type of COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccination should only be done in a health clinic, medical facility or doctors office .
- All other people should be monitored for at least 15 minutes after getting the vaccine.
Learn more about what to expect after getting vaccinated for COVID-19, including normal side effects and tips to reduce pain or discomfort.
Emergency First Aid For Asthma Attacks
If you have asthma, your doctor will prescribe medication and help you to develop a plan to manage your asthma and an action plan for asthma attacks.
Asthma can be well controlled with medication in most people.
If you, or someone you know, are having an asthma attack, follow the asthma action plan. In case of emergency, call triple zero and ask for an ambulance. Tell the operator that someone is having an asthma attack.
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Your Symptoms Only Show Up At Certain Times
If you have seasonal allergies, your symptoms should arise and go away around the same time each year. For most people, seasonal allergy symptoms begin in the spring and end in the fall. However, depending on your allergy triggers, you may experience allergic rhinitis in any of the four seasons. Heres a rundown of plants that commonly cause seasonal allergies:
Spring: Tree pollen, particularly that from oak, elm, birch, cedar, willow, poplar, horse chestnut and alder trees.
Summer:Grasses, such as ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, Timothy grass, Bermuda grass and more.
Fall:Pollen from weeds is the main concern in the fall months. Many people are allergic to the pollen in ragweed, tumbleweed, pigweed, sagebrush, Russian thistle and more.
Winter: Most people find that their allergies go dormant during the winter months because most plants dont pollinate during winter. If you still get watery eyes and a runny nose during cold weather, you might be allergic to indoor allergens, such as dust mites, mold or pet dander.
Tip #: Avoid Extended Time Outdoors When Pollen Counts Are High
Chances are if the weather outside is rainy, cloudy or windless, your allergies wont act up as much. Only those with extreme sensitivity to pollen or mold will have symptoms when the pollen count is low. However, if the days warm, dry and windy, theres a good possibility youll be symptomatic.
To determine what the pollen and mold levels are in your geographic area, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunologys National Allergy BureauÔ provide an allergen guide with accurate pollen counts.
Since pollen counts tend to be highest in the morning, with peak times in the middle of the day, its best to venture out in the late afternoon or early evening. If youre planning on doing yard work, try wearing a mask. Those marked N95 are approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health as being 95% effective at filtering out particles.
Also, if youre planning on exercising outdoors, consider going after work and make sure to shower in the evening so your hair and skin are clean and youre not sleeping in pollen.
Ensuring your home is a safe haven from pollen may require a little work, but it will help you keep allergens at bay:
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What Is The Best Allergy Medication
The best choice of allergy medication is one which relieves symptoms without interfering with everyday tasks. Many allergy sufferers are finding that the newer, non-sedating antihistamines meet both these important parameters. It’s also important to find an allergy medication that can safely be used for the long term, since for many, allergies last an entire season if not the entire year. And finally, allergy medications should minimally react with other medications.
Treatments For Allergic Reactions
Over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants may relieve minor symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Antihistamines prevent symptoms such as hives by blocking histamine receptors so your body doesnt react to the allergens. help clear your nose and are especially effective for seasonal allergies. But dont take them for more than three days.
These medications are available in tablets, eye drops, and nasal sprays. Many OTC drugs also cause drowsiness, so avoid taking them before driving or doing work that requires a lot of concentration.
Swelling, redness, and itching may be reduced with ice and topical creams that contain corticosteroids.
Make an appointment with your doctor if OTC drugs dont work. Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to the medication.
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Know What To Do When Allergies Strike
Allergens can sneak into your life on your daily walk, a plate of food, or anywhere in between. You might be born with them or develop them years down the line. Knowing what to do when you or someone you know is having an allergy attack could be the difference between life and death.
When experiencing serious allergy symptoms, heading to your local Urgency Room could bring you relief faster than you thought possible. Our skilled and experienced emergency physicians and nurses are well trained to care for serious allergic reactions. At the UR, we treat the allergy symptoms. Treating and allergic reaction does not require any testing and we do not do allergy testing. Were dedicated to helping you return to your healthy self as soon as possible.
You dont have to suffer through your allergies alone. Get the care you need now and the tools you need to avoid future allergy attacks. The Urgency Room operates three convenient Minnesota locations in Eagan, Vadnais Heights, and Woodbury. Were open 365 days per year from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including holidays. When minutes matter, especially during an allergy attack, get to The Urgency Room.
The Best Natural Remedy For Allergies
The best natural remedy for allergies is, when possible, avoidance. Both doctors and natural healers will suggest that you limit or avoid allergens, which are what causes your allergic reaction.
You should avoid exposure to your allergens. For example, if youve had an allergic reaction to a sulfa drug, let your doctor know about your allergy. Theyll most likely prescribe an alternate antibiotic if youll ever need one.
That being said, some allergens are hard to avoid. In that case, after discussing your symptoms with your doctor, you might consider a home remedy for allergies to deal with the results of exposure to an allergen.
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Treatments For Food Allergies
The best remedies for food allergies usually entail avoiding foods that trigger an allergic reaction. If you accidentally come in contact or eat the food youre allergic to, OTC drugs can temper the reaction.
However, these drugs only help relieve hives or itching. Oral cromolyn can help your other symptoms. Its only available by prescription, so talk to your doctor.
You can also treat severe food allergies with epinephrine.
If You Had A Severe Allergic Reaction To A Covid
Anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction after receiving a particular type of COVID-19 vaccine should not get another dose of that type of vaccine. The vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are considered one type of COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson/Janssen is considered another type .
Learn about getting a different type of COVID-19 vaccine after an allergic reaction.
A severe allergic reaction can cause a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, or a generalized rash or hives. A person with a severe allergic reaction needs to be treated with epinephrine and should seek immediate medical attention.
Learn about common side effects of COVID-19 vaccines and when to call a doctor.
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Emergency Treatment Of Severe Allergic Reactions
Most people with allergies experience mild to moderate symptoms a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes or rash.
However, anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that requires emergency treatment.
Most commonly associated with allergies to food, insect stings, medications and latex, anaphylaxis involves an over-release of chemicals that puts the body in shock.
Symptoms occur suddenly and progress quickly from mild symptoms such as a runny nose and skin rash, to a strange feeling, to serious health problems such as difficulty breathing, throat swelling, vomiting, dizziness and fainting, low blood pressure and even cardiac arrest.
In the event of a severe allergic reaction:
- Check the victims airway, breathing and circulation.
- Keep the person calm.
- Elevate the persons feet about 12 inches, cover with a blanket and place nothing under his head.
- If necessary, perform rescue breathing and CPR.
Emergency personnel will administer epinephrine immediately to stop the anaphylactic reaction.
If you have had an anaphylactic reaction in the past, you are at risk of future reactions. Your doctor can prescribe emergency epinephrine to carry with you for emergencies.
Treatment Options Allergen Immunotherapy
Allergen immunotherapy is also known as desensitisation, and it reduces the severity of symptoms and/or the need for regular medications. AIT involves the administration of regular, gradually increasing amounts of environmental allergen extracts, by injections or by sublingual tablets, sprays or drops .
Treatment is usually for three to five years and is typically offered for people older than five years of age with severe allergic rhinitis. This is a long-term treatment that should be initiated by a clinical immunology/allergy specialist.
ASCIA is the peak professional body of clinical immunology/allergy specialists in Australia and New Zealand.
ASCIA resources are based on published literature and expert review, however, they are not intended to replace medical advice. The content of ASCIA resources is not influenced by any commercial organisations.
For more information go to www.allergy.org.au
To donate to immunology/allergy research go to www.allergyimmunology.org.au
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Treating Symptoms With Allergy Shots
If you’ve tried pills, sprays, and rinses but your child continues to suffer, talk to their allergist about allergy shots . This treatment exposes your child to increasing amounts of the allergen though shots. In the long run, it makes the body less reactive to triggers.
“They are still the cornerstone of long-term treatment,” says Dr. Demain. “We have shots for almost every common allergen, and they also reduce the risk for developing new allergies and asthma.” The only real drawback? Getting your kid on board with a plan involving needles. The treatment starts out with two shots a week for up to two to three months, then tapers down to once a week, then every other week, and finally monthly.
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How You Can Treat Your Allergy Symptoms
When you feel ravaged by allergies, dont lose all hope. There are a lot of things you can do to minimize the detrimental effects of mild to severe allergies. Whether that involves being armed with an Epinephrine pen, heading to your nearest Urgency Room, or treating your allergies at home with over-the-counter medications, knowing what to do when allergies strike could save you from discomfort or even life-threatening scenarios.
How Is Allergic Rhinitis Diagnosed
If your symptoms interfere with your daily life, see your family doctor. Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam. Keeping a record of your symptoms over a period of time can help your doctor determine what triggers your allergies.
Your doctor may want to do an allergy skin test to determine what you are allergic to. During an allergy skin test, tiny amounts of allergens are applied to your skin. You will feel tiny pricks to your skin. It is not painful. Your doctor will observe and record the way your skin reacts to each allergen.
Your doctor may also decide to do a blood test, such as the radioallergosorbent test . This test identifies antibodies in your blood that determine what youre allergic to. Once your allergens are identified, you and your doctor can decide the best treatment.
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Allergies Vs Cold Vs Flu Vs Covid
While symptoms for all of these conditions can overlap, there are some key differences.
Allergies can sometimes be confused with the common cold or the flu, but with a cold or the flu you will have a fever and be more fatigued, you can have body pain, not just sneezing and itchy eyes, says Dr. Lahari Rampur, an allergist who sees patients at UW Medical Center Montlake and Harborview Medical Center.
Sneezing, runny nose, post-nasal drip, and itchy, puffy, watery eyes are common seasonal allergy symptoms and can also happen if you get a cold.
Flu typically involves a fever, body aches, chills, fatigue and possibly a headache or cough. With COVID-19, the most common symptoms are a fever, throat pain, or a new cough or new shortness of breath, though runny nose or nasal congestion can also occur. Some people lose their sense of smell or taste or have gastrointestinal symptoms.
If all you have are allergies or a cold, you probably wont get a fever or body aches and if you do, they will be mild. If you do get the flu or COVID-19, youre unlikely to have sinus or eye symptoms.
While seasonal allergies can make someone wheeze or cough, , it will usually be pretty mild.
Whats Causing My Seasonal Allergies
Like any allergy, hay fever develops when your bodys immune system becomes sensitized to certain particles in the environment that it considers dangerous. The seasonal allergies you have depend on the time of year when common outdoor allergens, according to American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, like molds and fungi release their spores or when grasses, trees or weeds release pollen into the air.
During springtime, tree pollen is the most frequent culprit of allergies. Springtime is also coincidentally pollen season when pollination is at its peak. Then, summer tends to bring grass pollen allergies and fall ragweed allergies. To fight against any perceived invader, or allergen, your body releases chemicals, including histamine, into the bloodstream. And for allergy sufferers this results in allergy symptoms your irritating cough, runny nose or itchy throat.
The best route to take is to first test for allergies to see what it is that is causing the allergic reaction.
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Medications For Seasonal Allergies During Pregnancy
- diphenhydramine
- loratadine
There are always risks when taking any medication during pregnancy. Women should talk with their doctors before taking allergy medicines to make sure they arent potentially harmful. While doctors consider many oral over-the-counter medications safe for seasonal allergies, using both oral and nasal spray decongestants isnt as studied or well-known. Use of nasal sprays may be safer than oral decongestants. Thats because nasal sprays arent as likely to be absorbed into the bloodstream. An example is oxymetazoline, an ingredient in brands like Afrin and Neo-Synephrine. Women should exercise caution when using nasal sprays for more than three days. This is because using decongestants for longer can make allergy symptoms worse by causing nasal swelling. Some women also get allergy shots. These are compounds of allergens that are injected as a means to desensitize a person to an allergen. If a woman becomes pregnant while she is in the course of her allergy shots, she can usually keep getting them. Pregnancy isnt a good time to start getting allergy shots. Its possible they can cause strong allergic reactions. Without knowing a womans reaction, its best to delay starting allergy shots until after giving birth.
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Mild And Severe Reactions
Symptoms can involve just one area of the body, or more than one area.
- A mild reaction involves a mild symptom that affects only one area of the body.
- A reaction that involves any severe symptom is a severe reaction.
- A reaction that involves mild symptoms in more than one body area is also a severe reaction.
Severe reactions can quickly progress to anaphylaxis, a condition that can be life-threatening. For this reason, severe reactions must be treated with epinephrine.
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