Allergies affect more than 50 million people in the world. They are the body’s reaction to something that it perceives as a foreign substance. Allergies cause various reactions such as closed and stuffy noses, breathing problems, rashes, watery eyes and a general feeling of fatigue. Allergies can be so devastating that they can cause a person to lose time from schoolwork. In some cases, allergies are deadly. The following are some tips on how to treat allergies.
Confirm the Allergy
The first step in treating allergies is confirming the allergies. An affected person will want to visit the appropriate specialists to have tests done. For example, ear, nose and throat doctors can run some tests to see if a person has a specific allergy or not. One of the tests that such an establishment may use is a skin-prick test. The skin prick test is a test that uses a panel of allergens. The specialist presses the panel of allergens into the patient’s arm deeply. Next, the patient and specialist wait to see how the person will react to being touched by the allergens. Some of the allergens that may be on the test are dust mites, ragweed, wool, pet dander and so forth. Reactions can be as subtle as a small bump in the affected area, or they can be so severe that they affect the person’s breathing.
Over-the-Counter Medications
A person can treat allergies using a number of methods. Over-the-counter medications can help a person until he or she can make it to see a specialist. They can sometimes ease symptoms such as skin itching, congestion and watery eyes. The person will want to see a specialists for a more permanent solution, however.
Allergy treatment involves removing oneself from the allergens as much as possible. For example, a person will want to purchase a good vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter. The individual will want to avoid conducting tasks that produce additional allergens. Mowing the lawn is not a good idea for a person who has a ragweed allergy. Persons who are allergic to cats and dogs will want to stay away from them as much as possible.
A professional ENT specialist can help an allergic person to find the best treatment option for his or her allergies. One method that such a specialist may use is allergy shots. Allergy shots are injections that have a small amount of the allergens in them. Over time, the person’s body may become used to the allergen and stop producing negative symptoms. Steroid treatment is another option that an ENT specialist such as Piedmont ENT may use. Having the problem diagnosed as quickly as possible is crucial to recovery.
