Environmental Allergies

What are environmental allergies?

Environmental allergies are immune system reactions to substances in your everyday environment, indoors and outdoors. Environmental allergies are also called hay fever or allergic rhinitis.

Common environmental allergies include:

Pollen

Pollen is a fine, powdery substance that travels through the air. It comes from trees, grass, ragweed, and other weeds and is most prevalent in the spring, summer, and fall.

Dust

Dust mites are microscopic bugs that live in the carpet, upholstery, bedding, and stuffed toys. They tend to flare during the year’s warmer months but can cause allergies year-round.

Pet dander

Pet dander is a common environmental allergy. Though it most often refers to an allergy to the pet’s dead skin cells, you can also be allergic to the animal’s saliva or urine.

Mold

Mold is found indoors and out and floats through the air like pollen. If you have a mold allergy, your symptoms can worsen during the warmer months of the year because of increased outdoor mold counts.

Cockroaches

Cockroach waste (droppings) and saliva trigger an allergic response in some people.

What tests diagnose environmental allergies?

When you visit Integrative Immunity Health System, PC, for environmental allergies, Dr. Tano performs allergy testing to determine what you’re allergic to. Tests can include:

Skin prick test

Dr. Tano uses a thin needle to prick the skin on your forearm with various allergens to test for a reaction. If you’re allergic, you should react to the skin prick after about 15 minutes. This test is done at the office under close supervision.

Blood test

Dr. Tano sends a sample of blood to the lab. The lab adds allergens to your blood, looking for immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies against it.

What are the treatments for environmental allergies?

After your evaluation and testing, Dr. Tano talks to you about your environmental allergies and develops a plan to help you manage your symptoms. Your plan can include recommendations on how to avoid your allergen as much as possible, as well as drugs like:

• Antihistamines
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Asthma medication

Dr. Tano might also talk to you about immunotherapy, a treatment that desensitizes you to your allergen, reducing your symptoms. Immunotherapy requires a series of injections over two or more years.

Call the nearest Integrative Immunity Health System, PC, office, or schedule an appointment online today to get help managing your environmental allergies.