Allergy Treatment in Olathe, KS
Dentist Olathe
If you’re one of the more than 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies, don’t wait to seek professional medical help. A custom-tailored treatment regimen can ease uncomfortable symptoms and improve your quality of life. At UpcareClinics, in Olathe, their health care team can diagnose, treat, and prevent allergies in children and adults.
Allergies Q & A
What are allergies?
Allergies occur when your body’s immune system identifies a harmless substance, such as pet dander, pollen, or pollution, as a dangerous invader. This causes your body to produce antibodies. The excess production of antibodies triggers an inflammatory reaction that can irritate your skin, sinuses, or digestive system, resulting in a variety of uncomfortable symptoms.
Allergies affect everyone differently. For some people, they’re a minor annoyance that responds to over-the-counter medications. In other cases, they trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.
Although there’s no cure for allergies, with a proper diagnosis and treatment, they’re possible to manage.
What are the symptoms of allergies?
The symptoms of allergies vary depending on the substance involved and the severity of your reaction. Common indications include:
- Sneezing
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Tingling in the mouth
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
- Hives
- Cough
- Chest tightness
- Itchy skin
- Rash
- Facial swelling
- Stomach upset
- Lightheadedness
If you go into anaphylaxis, you might also experience nausea and vomiting or a loss of consciousness. Anaphylaxis is life-threatening and requires emergency treatment.
What are some common allergy triggers?
Triggers are substances that cause an allergic reaction. Everyone’s triggers are different, but common culprits include:
- Airborne allergens like pollen
- Pet dander
- Dust mites
- Certain foods like shellfish or peanuts
- Insect stings
- Prescription medications
The more you know about your allergy triggers, the easier it is to avoid uncomfortable symptoms or a life-threatening allergic reaction.
How are allergies diagnosed?
To diagnose allergies, your UpCare Clinics provider conducts a physical exam, reviews your medical history, and asks detailed questions about your symptoms and lifestyle. If these measures don’t provide enough information, your provider might recommend allergy testing, such as:
Skin test
During an allergy skin test, your provider pricks your skin and exposes you to small amounts of proteins found in certain allergens. If you’re allergic, your skin becomes irritated, resulting in a red, swollen bump.
Blood test
An allergy blood test measures the amount of allergen-causing antibodies in your bloodstream, known as immunoglobulin E. Your provider draws a sample of your blood and sends it to a laboratory for evaluation.
How are allergies treated?
At UpcareClinics, the team treats allergies by focusing on prevention. They recommend you keep a journal to document your triggers. Avoiding the substances that you’re allergic to is one of the easiest and most effective ways to avoid complications.
You might also benefit from prescription or over-the-counter medications. There are a variety of pills, nasal sprays, and eye drops that can minimize symptoms and improve your quality of life. If you have a severe allergy, your provider can prescribe epinephrine to carry for emergencies.
If you or a loved one regularly experiences allergies, schedule an appointment at UpCare Clinics.
Call the office and speak with a friendly team member or book a consultation online today.