Are you worried you have an allergy that needs diagnosis and treatment? Are you dealing with asthma or an autoimmune disease? Do you have an inherited immunodeficiency? It’s confusing when you don’t know where to turn and who to ask for help. The good news is there are allergists specifically trained to deal with these kinds of issues. If you’re looking for guidance about your allergic disease, an allergist, like an allergist in McLean, VA from Black & Kletz Allergy, can help.
What Do Allergists Treat?
An allergist works with a variety of patients and their various allergic diseases. Some common issues they treat include:
- Hay Fever – This presents as a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, itchy sinuses and sometimes a cough. Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever is often seasonal as it is sometimes brought on by different types of pollens and mold.
- Food Allergies – A food allergy could result in a tingling mouth, hives, swollen tongue or throat, and even anaphylaxis. People are allergic to all different types of foods including fruit, nuts, wheat and dairy.
- Insect Stings – Someone with an allergy to insect stings might get hives, become swollen, obtain a cough, experience shortness of breath and even suffer anaphylaxis.
- Eczema – Also known as atopic dermatitis, eczema causes skin to flake or peel, become red, and itch.
- Asthma – Patients with asthma experience muscle spasms in the throat that close off the bronchial tubes and cause mucus to pool up and block the airways.
Because every individual is unique with a unique set of challenges, an allergist can treat a great deal more than just these issues. If you wonder whether an allergist could help you, it’s best to get in contact with a professional to find out.
How Do Allergists Treat?
There are various treatment types for each specific type of allergic disease. After an allergist diagnoses you with a specific allergy, it may be enough for you to just avoid the allergen. This is quite often the treatment plan for food allergies. Treatment for allergies such as hay fever may include medication, either over-the-counter or a prescription. More severe allergies may require immunotherapy, which is a series of injections or tablets that treat the specific allergy.
It’s important to note that these treatment options aren’t always the sole answer. As was previously mentioned, some allergies lead to anaphylaxis, so even if treatment is avoidance of the allergen, someone with an allergy may have an epinephrine shot with them at all times in case of emergency.
Contact an Allergist to Learn More
You should know everything there is to know about your allergy. Contact an allergist today to schedule an appointment so you can figure out exactly what you have and what you can do about it.
