Introduction
At least 1 out of every 4 Americans suffer from allergies. To those people, daily life can be a struggle. Allergy symptoms range from mild annoyances to severe and life-threatening reactions. Allergy sufferers may even experience symptoms, such as frequent colds, sinus infections and skin rashes, without realizing that the symptoms are caused by allergies. In addition to the annoyance and discomfort associated with allergy symptoms, many sufferers find that they are forced to avoid situations where their allergies may be triggered. Picture missing your daughter’s first base hit. Or imagine your child being unable to go fishing with grandparents. Many suffers must withdraw from former hobbies or avoid friends and family with the onset of allergies. Fortunately, treatment methods are available which can alleviate allergies or put them in long-term remission. If allergies affect you or someone you love, speak with your healthcare provider today to learn more about the various treatment methods.
Overview
Most people will have some problem with allergies or allergic reactions at some point in their lives. Anallergyis an overreaction by the immune system to normally harmless substances called allergens. Common allergens include, dust mites, pet dander, food, insect venom and pollen. When people who have allergies encounter an allergen, such as pollen for the first time, their immune system mistakenly believes that the allergen is a threat, and responds by producing antibodies to fight them. These antibodies bind to specialized cells called mast cells. Once the body is re-exposed to the same allergen, it binds to the antibodies on the surface of the mast cells and triggers the release of chemicals such as Histamine and Leukotrienes. The release of Histamine and Leukotrienes causes many of the symptoms associated with allergies. These symptoms may include itchy and watery eyes, nasal congestion, sinus pressure, runny nose, and sneezing, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing, hives, and a general feeling of misery. Allergy symptoms can range from being mild to severe, and can affect quality of life. In rare cases, an allergic reaction can be severe enough that it can be life-threatening. There is no cure for allergies, but there are ways to prevent or relieve allergy symptoms. These include avoidance of substances to which you are allergic, use of medications, and in certain cases, immunotherapy or allergy shots.
Testing
It may be possible to learn the cause of your allergy symptoms or frequent infections and start on the path to a virtually allergy-free life with an easy, pain-free, 15-minute skin test. Before an allergy test, your medical provider will perform a quick assessment of your respiratory system. The machine used for this test is called a spirometer. You will be asked to exhale a strong breath of air with as much force as possible. The machine measures the speed of the air as you push it out of your lungs. At the end of your big breath out, you will breathe in, and then remove the mouthpiece. Your healthcare professional will coach you through this process three times to get the most accurate reading possible. Following a successful spirometry reading, your health care professional will perform the skin test. For this test, your skin will be dotted with small droplets of a liquid that contains particles from the environment. These particles, called antigens, or allergens, cause most allergy symptoms. Usually, antigens can touch a person’s skin without causing a reaction. But in people with allergies, the immune system mistakes the antigens as a disease and begins to mount a defense. If you are allergic to the antigens in the droplets, small bumps will soon appear on your skin in the test areas and you may feel mild itching and irritation. Within 15 minutes, the test will be complete. A medical assistant will wipe away the antigens and measure the diameter of any bumps that appear, as these indicate a positive result. With the results recorded, your healthcare provider will interpret the test and discuss the findings and possible treatments with you. Those treatments may include avoidance, medication, and immunotherapy.
Sublingual Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment option for allergy sufferers who would like to build a tolerance to allergens. Immunotherapy works by teaching your body’s defense system that the particles in our normal environment are not diseases. Immunotherapy can be delivered through allergy shots, as well as through pain-free, sublingual, or under-the-tongue drops. In the comfort of your own home, you will place a few drops of antigens under your tongue every day. There, the antigens are grabbed and absorbed by dendritic cells. These, highly specialized cells introduce the antigens to your system, and signal the process to help your body build a tolerance to the allergens that cause your allergic reactions. As your body builds a tolerance to the antigens, your doctor will increase the amount of antigen to help you build long-term tolerance. You may begin to feel relief within the first 1 to 2 months, and improve as the treatment progresses. Just as with antibiotics, you will feel better quickly, but should continue taking the treatment for the full benefit. In the case of immunotherapy, the treatment length varies based on the severity of your allergies, most typically three to five years. Unlike medications that temporarily relieve your symptoms, immunotherapy’s benefits can last long after treatment is done. If you are ready to enjoy life without the daily misery of allergies, ask your health care provider today about sublingual immunotherapy.