Suncoast ENT Allergy
Allergic Disease
Allergic disease is extremely common: it affects one in five people in the U.S. (or 58 million Americans). Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, is the most prevalent form of allergic disease. It occurs when your body overreacts to inhaled substances, such as pollens, dust, or molds. The symptoms can be mild or severe, and include:
· Runny nose and watery eyes
· Sneezing
· Post-nasal drip and sore throat
· Dry cough
· Fatigue
· Red, itchy, eyes and throat
· Hearing, smell, and taste problems
The symptoms can be seasonal, for pollen allergies, or perennial, for year-round allergies to animals, dust, or dust mites.
Testing
At Suncoast ENT Allergy, the physicians will thoroughly discuss your symptoms and perform a full head and neck examination to determine the most likely cause of your problems. You may need to have formal allergy testing performed, to determine exactly which substances are creating the symptoms. We perform the newest form of testing, which utilizes both prick testing, in which the skin is scratched, and intradermal testing, in which a tiny amount of allergen is injected under the skin of the arm. This allows the physicians to measure the presence and severity of your allergy to each substance tested. For small children or patients with skin disease, blood testing may also be used.
Treatment
Once your allergies are properly diagnosed, a customized treatment plan will be created with you. The options include:
1. Avoiding certain allergens
2. Medical treatment of your symptoms, including nasal steroid sprays, antihistamines, and anti-inflammatories
3. Immunotherapy (allergy shots)
Your physician will review all of the test results and help you to create a treatment plan that works for you. Our physicians and staff have the experience and knowledge required to provide you with the state-of-the-art, compassionate care that you deserve. Please feel free to call us with any questions or concerns.
|
|
|
|
Links
-
Allergy Avoidance Products
Website for one of the major manufacturers of environmental control products
-
Fact Sheet: Allergic Rhinitis
Explanation of this disease from the Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, with links to similar pages
-
National Pollen Maps
Description of regional pollen seasons for grassses, trees, and weeds from the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy
-
Pollen Counter
Regularly updated pollen and mold reports from the National Allergy Bureau
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forms
There are no files to display
|
|
|
|
|
|
