Allergies

What is an allergic reaction? 

An allergic reaction happens when your immune system overreacts to a foreign substance called an allergen — such as pollen, animal dander, or mold — prompting the release of histamine and other chemicals, which trigger allergy symptoms. Allergies are considered a chronic disease, meaning they last for a long time or occur often. 

Anyone can be born with an allergy or develop one at some point. While allergies generally can’t be prevented, the team at Tacoma Urgent Care and Wellness Center can help you prevent allergic reactions once an allergy has been diagnosed. 

What are the most common allergies?

The most common allergic conditions include respiratory issues like hay fever, asthma, sinusitis, and skin issues such as hives, eczema, and dermatitis. People can be allergic to many different types of allergens, such as foods, medications, latex, or insect stings. Food allergies are most often found in children and frequently disappear with age. Environmental substances cause allergy symptoms, too, including mold, dust mites, animal dander, and pollen. 

What are typical allergy symptoms?

An allergic reaction usually triggers symptoms in the respiratory tract, like your nose and sinuses, throat, or lungs. Symptoms may also affect your skin or the lining of your stomach. For some people, an allergic reaction can trigger asthma symptoms. The severity of your symptoms depends on the severity of your allergy. For instance, someone with a life-threatening peanut allergy can experience anaphylaxis, a life-threatening emergency. In contrast, someone with mild hay fever may have watery eyes and an irritated throat. 

Common allergy symptoms include:

Hay fever: Sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, runny or stuffy nose

Insect sting allergy: Large area of swelling, itching, or hives all over, cough, chest tightness, wheezing, anaphylaxis

Food allergy: Tingling mouth, hives, swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or throat, anaphylaxis

Drug allergy: Hives, itchy skin, rash, facial swelling, wheezing, anaphylaxis

How are allergies diagnosed?

The team at Tacoma Urgent Care and Wellness Center can generally diagnose allergies in 3 steps. First, they will review your family and medical history. Afterward, they may perform a comprehensive physical exam and conduct various tests to identify your specific allergens. Once they reach a conclusive diagnosis, including an accurate assessment of the severity of your allergies, the team develops a treatment plan. 

Allergy treatment strategies primarily stress the avoidance of known allergens. Still, they can also include medication or immunotherapy, a medical procedure that trains your immune system not to overreact to specific allergens. To find relief for your allergies or those of a loved one, call the office or request an appointment online today.