Common Allergens
Everyone suffers from different allergens and everyone’s allergy profiles are unique, but some common allergens include:
- Dust Mites
- Pollen
- Mold
- Insects
- Pet Dander
- Air Pollution
- Food Allergies
How do allergies work and how can they be effectively treated?
To find lasting relief, it's essential to understand how allergies work. Typically, the body identifies harmful substances and produces antibodies to fight them. However, sometimes the body mistakenly targets harmless substances, known as allergens. When exposed to an allergen, your body releases antibodies to combat it, triggering the allergic reaction and causing your symptoms.
The good news is that at Gulf Coast Breathe Free we are experts at testing and treating allergies!
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Common Allergy Symptoms
Many people have reactions that are caused by more than one allergen and it is possible that you are being impacted by multiple allergens while at home, work, and even outside. You may be experiencing symptoms like:
- Runny Nose
- Itchy Eyes
- Headache
- Facial Pain
- Breathing Problems
- Sinus Headache
- Rash or other irritation
Understand Your Unique Allergy Profile with Allergy Testing
Your genetics, environment, and health conditions all go into creating someone’s allergy profile. This is why your immune system and allergy profile are so unique. Because of how unique an allergy profile is, the first step toward finding allergy relief is to understand what allergens you respond to and how you are exposed each day.
No matter what kind of allergies you have, a full comprehensive allergy testing plan is the best way for you and your doctors to understand your allergy profile. To get the best results from your testing plan it is important to see a board-certified professional. Our professionals at Gulf Coast Breathe Free have the knowledge, skills, and procedures to make sure that you get a comprehensive test and treatment plan.
The allergy test itself is not the only part of the fully comprehensive allergy testing plan. We will also look at your entire health profile, including your health history, known conditions, medication interactions, and other issues that may impact your allergy testing and treatments.
Once we have looked at your health history, completed testing, and reviewed your results we will explain all possible treatment options. We can listen to your goals so we can customize a treatment plan for you. Everyone is different and we know that the best treatment plan is one that works for you.
Allergy Treatment Options
Your allergy treatment plan needs to be as unique as you are, so it is important to work with a physician who will listen and help you meet your goals. Your treatment plan should take into consideration these issues:
- Your Unique Allergy Profile - no matter what allergies you have, your treatment plan should include all of them
- Medical History - your allergy treatment plan must work with your other known medical conditions and medications
- Long-Term Goals - do you want to manage symptoms or achieve long-term relief?
- Budget - your treatment needs to be affordable and work with your insurance
- Schedule - your treatment plan should work around your schedule rather than you work around your treatment’s schedule
Our team will listen to your goals and then explain options that can keep you in control of your allergies without sacrificing your goals. Common treatment plans may include a mix of the following:
Symptom Control: Allergy Treatment Medicine
Allergy symptoms are not the primary cause of your allergies, but they are the main part that is making your life difficult. Medications will not address your underlying allergy problems, but they may be able to help with the painful allergy symptoms.
Medicine can also help the body respond quicker to allergy attacks and help to reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms. Medications are normally used with other allergy treatments to provide comprehensive care. Allergy medications include:
- Nasal Sprays
- Skin Creams
- Pills
- Liquid Solutions
- Eye Drops
- Inhalers
Modern medicine has given us safe and effective medications that work well and help you meet your goal. Allergy medications are usually affordable and can be used as long-term or seasonal treatments. Three main types of medication include congestion relievers (decongestants), inflammation reducers (corticosteroids), and histamine blockers (antihistamines). Consult with a doctor before starting any medication treatment plans.
Long-Term Relief
If you are looking to get long-term relief from your allergies rather than just treating symptoms, immunotherapy is right for you. Immunotherapy is a safe process that has been around for more than a century. It can help to reduce symptoms and potentially eliminate allergies by retraining your body’s immune system.
During immunotherapy, you are slowly exposed to a safe amount of your allergens. Over time, the body begins to respond to your allergens normally and your allergies may reduce or go away completely. There are two types of immunotherapy:
Allergy Drops
Allergy drops are the same as shots except they are administered under your tongue as a liquid drop for 1 to 2 minutes. Allergy drops are safe enough to administer yourself which makes them more convenient than allergy shots. The major benefits of allergy drops include:
- Convenience - the treatment is done on your own time
- Safe - no adverse reactions
- Comfortable - none of the pain or discomfort of shots
- Effective - highly effective immunotherapy
Breathe Free and Understand Your Allergies
At Gulf Coast Breathe Free, we can give you comprehensive allergy treatment and testing. We will listen to your needs and goals so we can give you a treatment plan that is customized for you.
Schedule an appointment with Gulf Coast Breathe Free