Our immune system protects us from harmful foreign agents like viruses, bacteria, etc., by producing antibodies that kill these foreign substances. However, in people with allergies, the immune system produces antibodies in response to foreign substances that aren’t even harmful. This response of our immune system to harmless substances is called an allergic reaction.
Most of the time, allergies aren’t severe, just annoying due to their symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, itchy skin, hives, and swelling. These symptoms can severely impact your overall quality of life.
Let’s talk about some tips you can follow to cope with allergies and have a better quality of life and where you can go for effective allergy management in Austin, Texas.
Tip #1 Avoid the Culprit of Your Allergies
Even though this may sound nearly impossible task, this is the best way to avoid allergic reactions from happening. For this, you should note every substance that triggers your allergic reaction, whether local or systemic, and avoid it.
Most of the time, the culprits of allergies are food, medications, pollens, and insect bites or stings.
Noting the causes of your allergies and avoiding them can help prevent future allergic reactions. For example, if you have seasonal allergies, prepare yourself and your home to reduce your exposure to allergens.
To cope in allergy seasons, it’s best to stay indoors, wear a mask when you go outside of the home, stock allergy medications, and keep your home clean and pollen-free.
Tip #2 Know What to Do During an Allergic Reaction
If you have severe allergies, write an anaphylaxis emergency action plan so that you and the people surrounding you know what to do in case of allergy symptoms or anaphylactic attack.
Try home remedies or nonprescription medications to relieve your allergy symptoms for mild to moderate allergic reactions. You can take oral antihistamines, corticosteroids, cromolyn nasal spray and/or oral decongestant to treat your symptoms.
Tip #3 Treat Your Allergies Once and For All
If your allergies are bothering you every other day, get them evaluated. For this, visit an allergist near you and explain your symptoms, the time of allergic reactions, what makes your symptoms worse and what eases them. Then, your allergist will do allergy testing (blood test or skin test) to find out what’s triggering your symptoms. Once the culprit of your allergies is identified, your allergist provides immunotherapy treatment.
In immunotherapy or desensitization, your allergy doctor administers a small amount of allergen in your body regularly for a specific period of time. These injections or allergy shots reduce the immune system reaction that causes symptoms. Your allergy doctor can also give you sublingual tablets to desensitize your immune system and thus reduce your reliance on allergy medications.
Allergist Near Me in Austin, Texas
If you are looking for a reliable allergy doctor to get rid of your allergies, look no further than Georgetown ENT. Our highly trained and experienced allergy doctor has committed to providing you state of the art treatment, including medications and immunotherapy for your allergies. Our allergy doctor is also an otolaryngologist and sleep medicine specialist.
To make an appointment with our allergy doctor, call Georgetown ENT clinic at (512) 869-0604 or use our online request form. We look forward to serving you!
