Anaphylaxis is life-threatening as it triggers the release of several chemicals from the immune system, which sends the body into shock. As a result, blood pressure plummets, and the airways become constricted and can ultimately obstruct breathing. When someone is experiencing anaphylaxis, they may have a fast, weak heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, and/or a rash on the skin. Continue reading “EpiPen 101”
The COVID-19 vaccine has brought about many questions, especially among people with allergies. Given that the vaccine has caused some rare, severe allergic reactions, people with allergies need to be informed about the risks involved in getting vaccinated.
The CDC has advised people who have had a severe allergic reaction or immediate (non-severe) allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccine not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This applies to any of the currently available COVID-19 vaccines.
Continue reading “What You Should Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine and Allergies”If you struggle with an allergy, you know that allergy symptoms can be disruptive to daily life. From sneezing, coughing, and other respiratory symptoms to skin irritation and even headaches and nausea, allergies can cause significant discomfort throughout the day. Allergy treatments can help ease this discomfort, with shots being the most effective option for common allergens.
Allergy shots are a treatment used to target allergy symptoms. This treatment option has the potential to eliminate allergy symptoms for some patients and is often a long-term allergy solution. Additionally shots can be effective in stopping the progression of allergies in children.
Continue reading “Why Allergy Shots Are Our Most Effective Treatment Against Common Allergens”There isn’t a cure for allergies, but you can now get some long-term (or maybe permanent) relief. Allergy shots offer a way to build up an immunity to your allergies so that you only experience mild symptoms or none at all. However, allergy shots are not available to treat all types of allergies. The allergens below are the most common that cause allergic rhinitis or allergic asthma.
There are many different pollens that can cause allergic reactions. The most common tree pollens to cause allergies are oak and cedar. Ragweed is also a very common allergy, but any pollen can cause issues. Oak and ragweed pollens are very responsive to allergy shots.
Continue reading “Types of Allergens that Can Be Treated with Allergy Shots”There has been a lot of buzz lately about allergy shots, and a lot of patients with allergies are pretty excited at the thought of not having to worry as much about their health. But there are also a lot of misconceptions about what allergy shots really do. Allergy shots will not cure you of your allergies.
Allergy shots are actually a form of immunotherapy in which your body is subjected to minute amounts of the allergen, repeated on a schedule, in order to build up an immunity to the allergen. You see, allergies are caused by the body’s immune system mistaking an allergen for a harmful invader. By building up your immunity, you are training your body to fight the allergen.
Continue reading “Not a Cure: What Allergy Shots Really Do”If you have been suffering from allergies for most of your life, you may be interested in what many people are calling allergy shots. These allergy shots are supposed to limit or eliminate your allergy, depending on who you talk to. In reality, allergy shots can help reduce allergic reactions to some allergens, but they aren’t necessarily the miracle that some say. Here’s what you need to know about what allergy shots really are and how they work.
Allergy shots are actually injections that contain a bit of the allergen that you are attempting to eliminate. Your allergist will formulate the injection based on the severity of your allergy and your effective course of treatment. The allergy shots contain a very small amount of the allergen at first, with the dose increasing over time.
Continue reading “What Allergy Shots Are and How They Work”You may have heard of allergy shots and how they can help “cure” allergies. While allergy shots are not a miracle cure, they can greatly limit, if not eliminate, your allergy symptoms to certain substances over time. Learn more about allergy shots and how they might be able to help you.
What are allergy shots? Allergy shots are actually allergen immunotherapy. To understand what an allergy shot is, you must first understand how allergies occur. When the body’s immune system doesn’t recognize a substance and misidentifies it as harmful to the body, it causes an allergic reaction. Allergy shots dose your body’s immune system with the allergen in small doses to build up an immunity, much the same way that vaccines work.
Continue reading “What Are Allergy Shots, and How Can They Help?” Now that the harsh Florida summer is subsiding, fall allergies are arriving to make you equally as miserable. If you’re tired of spending every autumn behind a box of tissues, considering allergy shots may be what you need to do. Here’s everything you should know about this treatment option and its potential benefits for your quality of life.
Identify Your Allergies First
Allergies come in many different variations, and your doctor needs to identify your specific allergens before treatment can begin. Allergens are uncovered using a “scratch test.” During a scratch test, your doctor places several small scratches on your arm or upper back. Small amounts of common allergens are placed on the scratched area.
Your skin will become irritated, red, and itchy in the area where your specific trigger allergens are located. For example, your upper back might become red and itchy where pet dander was placed. Dust, pollen, and molds are the other most common allergens. Continue reading “Considering Allergy Shots? Here’s What You Should Know”
We can all agree that allergies are frustrating, exhausting, and bothersome. They intrude on your daily life and minimize how much you can enjoy your favorite activities. Though allergies can’t often be “cured” like a disease, they can be prevented with the right medication. If you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired during allergy season, allergy shots can bring you relief.
Continue reading “Can Allergy Shots Bring You the Relief You Need?”