Seasonal and Perennial Allergies
Pinpointing the causes to create your most effective course of care
Affecting one in five Americans, an allergy occurs when your immune system reacts to something you inhale, swallow or that comes in contact with your skin that is usually otherwise harmless. These triggers—termed “allergens”—can cause nasal congestion, runny nose, rashes, sneezing, watery eyes as well as other common allergic type symptoms.
Seasonal allergies flare up at different times of the year. Among the most common seasonal allergens are pollens from grasses, trees and weeds as well as spores from fungi. Perennial allergies are year- round, and are usually triggered by indoor sources such as cockroaches, dust mites, mold and pet dander. Other allergies are caused by insect stings, or by certain foods and drinks.
If you’re experiencing fatigue, itchy eyes, a runny nose or other symptoms that you suspect are caused by an allergy, schedule a consultation with the specialists at the Boca Raton Sinus & Allergy Center.
During your visit, we might recommend allergy testing to pinpoint the specific allergens affecting you. Armed with the right information, we can then determine your most effective course of treatment.
Symptoms
Does the recent onset of any of these symptoms apply to you? If so, we recommend you schedule a consultation:
- Congestion
- Hives
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Rashes
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is most likely to develop an allergy?
Anyone can develop an allergy, and at any age. You could develop them during childhood, or you might be well into adulthood before you experience allergies.
How do you test for allergies?
At the Boca Raton Sinus & Allergy Center, we usually use a skin test. On your back or forearm, we’ll prick your skin and apply a drop of allergen, testing for many suspected allergies at the same time.
Results are fast, and there’s little or no pain. If you are allergic to a substance, a slight redness and swelling will develop at a test spot much like a mosquito bite, and usually within 20 minutes.
What are effective treatments for allergies?
Over-the-counter remedies as well as prescription medicines are often useful in treating symptoms like runny nose and sneezing. Lifestyle changes such as avoiding identified triggers and even in certain situations using home air filters may be necessary.
If medicines and avoidance won’t deliver enough relief, the specialists at the Boca Raton Sinus & Allergy Center might recommend immunotherapy – allergy shots or sublingual drops (allergy drops applied under the tongue).
Immunotherapy helps your body tolerate allergens. Over time, you should experience improvement with nasal symptoms such as congestion and drainage as well as fewer frequent outbreaks of rashes or itchy-water eyes.
How frequently do you receive allergy shots?
We recommend visiting us at the Boca Raton Sinus & Allergy Center once or twice a week for several months to control your allergy symptoms. We will administer a shot in your upper arm containing a tiny amount of specific allergens that affect you. The amount we administer will gradually increase in concentration until you reach the maintenance dose. Once at maintenance, most patients will only need to come in once a month to continue to control their allergy symptoms. The average patient is typically on shots for three to five years.
What’s my next step?
For an expert evaluation by one of our specialists, schedule an appointment at the Boca Raton Sinus & Allergy Center by calling 561-391-3333