Allergy Diagnosis in Wilmington, NC

Allergy problems and associated diseases include chronic "colds," ear diseases that may have an allergic component, sinus infections, headaches, and allergic rhinitis.

An allergy is an abnormal reaction to an ordinarily harmless substance called an allergen. When an allergen, such as pollen, is absorbed into the body of an allergic person, that person's immune system views the allergen as an invader, and a chain reaction is initiated. White blood cells of the immune system produce IgE antibodies. These antibodies attach themselves to special cells called mast cells, causing a release of potent chemicals such as histamine. These chemicals then lead to the allergy symptoms you may be experiencing.

Symptoms of allergies can include sneezing, nasal stuffiness, itching and drainage, itching and watery eyes, burning palate and throat, dry and itchy skin, and hives. Allergies can also contribute to other diseases such as sinusitis, ear infections, and asthma. As ear, nose, and throat specialists, our physicians can effectively treat these illnesses associated with allergies.

People can be allergic to multiple allergens. The most common allergens include tree and/or flower pollen, weeds, grasses, mold, dust mites, animals, foods, medications, cockroaches, and insect stings.

The allergic disease affects one out of six Americans (approximately 40-50 million people) and costs millions of dollars in medications, physician services, and missed days from school or work. Allergic diseases are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the United States.

Allergies are rarely life-threatening but often cost lost workdays, decreased work efficiency, poor school performance, and less enjoyment of life. It is common for allergy sufferers to develop sinus or repository infections if allergy symptoms are not controlled. Considering the millions spent on anti-allergy medications and the cost of lost work time, allergies cannot be considered a minor problem.

There are a host of medications (and only a few mentioned here) that are used in the treatment of allergies, including antihistamines (Allegra, Zyrtec, Clarinex, Benadryl), nasal antihistamine sprays (Astelin), nasal steroid sprays (Flonase, Nasacort, Nasonex, and Rhinocort) and saline sprays. The medical management of allergies also includes counseling on proper environmental control.

While medications are often effective in controlling your symptoms, they only 'mask' the symptoms and help individuals to cope with daily life. Certain medications may have undesirable side effects or excessive expense. In these cases, your doctor may advise allergy testing to determine the specific substances to which you are allergic. Once this is determined, you can desensitize yourself to the allergies by undergoing a series of allergy shots, also called immunotherapy.