Common Allergy Symptoms and How We Can Help
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that over 50 million Americans suffer from different types of allergies each year. Symptoms of allergies can range from irritating to debilitating. Patients with allergies often present with sneezing, red, swollen, itchy eyes, nasal congestion, wheezing, hives (raised patches on the skin) and rashes. Severe allergic reactions, called anaphylaxis, can be life-threatening.
Fortunately, medical professionals can help reduce these symptoms. The dedicated physicians at TexomaCare Urgent Care, located in Denison, Texas, are proud to provide relief for those suffering from various common allergies.
Types of Allergies and Their Symptoms
Environmental Allergies
If you are experiencing or have experienced seasonal allergens, know that you are not alone! Common allergens include grass, mold, dust mites and trees. Symptoms include itchy, red eyes, sneezing, wheezing and headache. While seasonal allergy symptoms can be frustrating there are certain steps you can take if you’re suffering.
Tips for managing environmental allergies:
- Be mindful of the time of day. Grass pollen tends to circulate in the morning, so minimizing time outdoors in the morning can help those suffering from pollen allergies.
- Notice when you are letting outside air in. Many seasonal allergies are connected with the outdoors. Try keeping the windows of your house and cars closed, especially when you notice your allergies are acting up.
- Mask up. Wearing a pollen mask can help reduce irritation while performing outside tasks such as lawn mowing and gardening.
Animal Allergies
Pet allergies are usually an immune system’s overreaction to exposure to an animal’s dander (flakes from skin or hair). Symptoms are similar to those of seasonal allergies such as itchy eyes and runny nose. If you want to have a furry friend in your life but don’t like the way they affect you, there may be ways to manage your allergy, depending on the severity.
Tips for managing animal allergies:
- Try no pets in the bedroom. As tempting as it may be to snuggle up with your furry friend, it can be very difficult to get a good night’s sleep if there is dander on your pillowcase or sheets. Even if you don’t sleep with your pet, but allow them in the room during the day, dander can get stuck in the fibers of bedsheets and irritate allergy sufferers.
- Wash your hands. It may sound simple, but many allergic reactions occur when dander is introduced into a body’s entryway, like the eyes, nose and mouth. Washing your hands after playing with your pets can help prevent contact with these zones.
- Clean your pet. Washing, brushing and combing your pet regularly can help get rid of excess dander. Ideally, someone in your household without an allergy will complete this chore. If that’s not possible, try wearing gloves and a dust mask while bathing your pet.
- Ask your doctor about immunotherapy. Allergy shots can be particularly effective in building antibodies and combating animal allergies. Talk to your doctor about medical treatments for pet allergies.
Food Allergies
Food allergies are an immune system reaction to touching, smelling or eating foods. Common food allergens include milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, and wheat. Food allergies are different from food sensitivities, which tend to be gastrointestinal reactions to food. Food sensitivities are less severe and not life-threatening.
Allergic reactions to food can have similar symptoms to seasonal or animal allergies. However, there are also more severe symptoms of an allergic reaction like extreme swelling that can block airways and become life-threatening. Although there are currently no cures for food allergies, there are ways to manage your allergies and make them feel less daunting.
Tips for managing food allergies:
- Learn how to read labels. Fortunately, there are laws now in place that require food manufacturers to disclose any contact with common allergens. Allergy warnings are typically (but not always) found in bold at the bottom of an ingredient list. If you are new to reading labels or need a refresher, ask your allergist what to look for.
- Be careful of cross-contamination. Cross-contamination occurs when food that does not contain an allergen comes into contact with the allergen. For example, if someone in your household is allergic to peanuts, make sure to wash the knife after spreading peanut butter on one sandwich and then cutting the peanut-free one.
- Keep a medical ID on you. Emerging technologies make it easier than ever to have a medical ID on you at all times. While physical medical alert bracelets or necklaces are still a viable option, there are also settings in most phones and smartwatches where you can input your allergy information. In the event of an allergic reaction, medics and those around you will be able to check your medical ID and get you the help you need.
- Have your medications on hand. Timeliness is huge when responding to an allergic reaction. Make sure to keep your emergency medication (like epinephrine) with you at all times. Epinephrine injectors now come in different varieties to fit your needs. Ask your doctor what brand of epinephrine is right for you.
Why Seek Urgent Care for Allergies
Even when they’re not life-threatening, allergies can be irritating and distract from your daily life, especially if they are severe or frequent. Seek help from your urgent care team at TexomaCare Urgent Care to get allergies treatment.
The team at TexomaCare Urgent Care can provide rapid diagnosis and treatment for allergies in adults and kids, without the inconvenience of an emergency room or trying to schedule an appointment with a primary physician. Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment and start feeling better, sooner.
Contact Us Now
TexomaCare Urgent Care, located in Denison, Texas, and Durant, Oklahoma, is open seven days a week with convenient daytime and evening hours for patients needing urgent care treatment. TexomaCare Urgent Care’s team of medical professionals are here to help provide patients with various treatment options to help patients suffering from allergies.
If you are experiencing severe allergy symptoms, such as anaphylaxis, please call 9-1-1 immediately.