POLLEN COUNT
Sometimes, allergy symptoms respond to over-the-counter treatments. If after taking antihistamines you can continue with your daily activities, then you may not need to see an allergy doctor. However, if you are experiencing the following, it may be time to see one. An allergy doctor specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies and can help you successfully manage your allergies.
You Get Frequent Allergic Reactions
If you’ve been taking over-the-counter allergy medication more often, then it may be time to see an allergy doctor. Part of allergy treatment is an avoidance strategy, which is only effective if you know what you are allergic to. An allergy doctor can do allergy testing to find out what is causing a reaction and create a plan to help reduce the frequency of reactions. Moreover, an allergy doctor can recommend prescription medication that can bring you lasting relief from allergies and prevent an oncoming attack. Having an individualized allergy action plan helps you live your life on schedule.
You Are Reacting to Certain Foods
If you notice physical reactions to certain foods such as facial swelling and hives, then you could be allergic to one of the proteins found in it. Food allergies are one of the most potentially dangerous allergies you could have. Mild reactions can progress into severe reactions, if not now then in the future. Common food allergens include nuts, tree nuts, dairy, wheat, and shellfish. Allergy doctors can do comprehensive food allergy testing to determine what you are allergic to. They can also teach you how to administer an epinephrine shot to prevent a worsening of a severe allergic reaction.
You Experience Difficulty Breathing
Feeling short of breath or having difficulty breathing are symptoms of an allergy. Allergic asthma, which is usually caused by environmental factors such as pollen, dander, dust, and mold, is one of the most commonly treated by allergy doctors. In anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction, your airways can narrow, which makes breathing difficult. If you have had a reaction such as this, you need to see an allergy doctor as soon as possible. Not being able to breathe properly is no laughing matter and if poorly managed is very dangerous.
Furthermore, if you have non-allergic asthma, you will find that allergies can exacerbate your asthma symptoms. An allergy doctor can help you manage your asthma and allergies so you can live a normal life.
Allergy Doctor in Downers Grove, Naperville, Elmhurst, and Plainfield, IL
Our board-certified allergy doctors at Oak Brook Allergists can treat the full range of allergies people can have, from asthma to food allergies to stinging insect allergies. Our physicians can also treat non-allergic asthma, such as exercise-induced asthma, cough-variant asthma, eosinophilic asthma, and occupational asthma. We combine skill and experience with compassion and are committed to improving the lives of our adult and pediatric patients.
If you have any questions about our services or to schedule an appointment with one of our allergy doctors, call our northeastern Illinois allergy clinic today at (630) 574-0460 or use our convenient appointment request form.
