Allergies Specialist

What are allergies?

Allergies occur when your immune system mistakenly responds to a substance that is not normally harmful to humans. Your innate immune response is vitally important to keeping you healthy and strong, but when it misfires it can cause widespread symptoms. 

When your immune system identifies a substance as potentially harmful (an allergen), it creates specific antibodies that fight off infection from that particular substance. Those antibodies remain in your system, waiting to be called into action to fight off infection the next time you’re exposed to the allergen. 

This system works incredibly well when you encounter something like polio or whooping cough. However, if your immune system decides that something as harmless as pollen requires a strong response, the resulting symptoms can be incredibly disruptive. 

What are some common allergy triggers?

Numerous different things can trigger an allergic reaction. Allergens are often categorized according to their type. 

Food allergens

These include foods like shellfish, eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, and milk, to name a few. 

Airborne allergens

Substances such as mold, pollen, animal dander, cigarette smoke, and dust mites are often carried on the wind and can move a considerable distance from their point of origin. 

Insect stings and bites

People are particularly sensitive to bee and wasp stings, but other insects can also create an allergic reaction.

Medications

Certain medications can cause an allergic reaction. Penicillin is a particularly common type of medicine allergy, and any antibiotics made from penicillin can also be problematic. 

These are just a few examples of substances known to trigger an allergic reaction in many adults and children. There are many other allergens, some of which are more common than others. 

What can be done to treat allergies?

One of the best ways to control allergic reactions is to identify which specific allergens you are sensitive to and take steps to reduce your exposure. This is often easier said than done, however, as you have little control over things like pollen, dust mites, and air pollution. 

Medications can help treat allergies and are available from Telakai Health. Prescription allergy medications come in an array of options, including pills, eye drops, nasal sprays, or liquids. 

It can take a process of trial and error to find the right treatment for allergies. When you entrust Telakai Health with your care, you’ll have professional guidance and support as you work toward a lasting solution for allergy symptoms. 

If blood testing or other diagnostic tools are required, your practitioner can set those services up on your behalf. If you have extreme allergies and need emergency epinephrine to stop a life-threatening reaction, that can also be ordered through telemedicine. 

When you’re ready to learn more, call Telakai Health to book a visit or schedule using the easy online booking tool.