Some allergies are mild and may not disrupt your life, but others can be a nuisance, as they can result in life-threatening symptoms in other people. If your allergies are mild, you may not need treatment, but if they cause blockages, inflammation, and severe itching, you may need medical help. At Houston Medical ER, the specialists offer a wide range of treatments to help you feel better and minimize your risk of future attacks.

How an allergic reaction occurs

Allergic reactions are your body’s response to substances it perceives as harmful even though they are harmless to other people. Your immune system protects your body by releasing antibodies that fight viruses and diseases. The antibodies perceive the allergen as harmful when allergic to specific substances. When you touch or eat the allergen, your immune system can react violently, resulting in inflammation of the digestive system, sinuses, or skin. The severity of allergic reactions may differ from one individual to the next. The allergy can be minor irritation that resolves within a few hours or a potentially life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Although there is no specific cure, specific treatments can alleviate your symptoms. You can also avoid the allergen to prevent aggressive reactions.

Symptoms associated with allergies

Your allergy symptoms will rely on the type of allergen and the amount of allergen in your system. Hay fever can result in an itchy nose, the roof of the mouth, and eyes, runny nose, allergic conjunctivitis, and sneezing, while food allergies may cause a tingling sensation in your mouth and swollen face, lips, or tongue. The most severe case is anaphylaxis. Eczema is another allergy, though not all cases are allergic reactions.

However, the disease can worsen when you come into contact with allergens. You may experience a runny nose, sneezing, hives, itching, or swelling. Certain medications can also result in allergic reactions. Symptoms that indicate a severe case include pain, spreading of bruise-like lesions, fever, blisters, or circular-shaped rashes. Purple spots may signify a heart infection. Consult your physician if you don’t know when to seek medical attention for allergies.

What to expect during treatment for an allergic reaction

During your initial appointment, your provider may review your health history and perform a thorough medical exam. If you experience severe allergic reactions, the team may request you keep a journal of the substances triggering your allergies and symptoms. They may also perform allergy tests like blood, elimination-type, and skin tests. After diagnosis, your doctor may suggest CPR in severe cases, an emergency epinephrine shot, medications, or watchful waiting.

If your symptoms are mild, medical intervention may not be necessary. The specialists may recommend decongestants and antihistamines to relieve your symptoms for moderate allergic reactions. The team may prescribe an inhaler to ease your symptoms or recommend a specific injection for allergic-type asthma. If medications and avoiding the allergens prove futile, your provider may recommend allergy shots, a treatment approach known as immunotherapy. Over-the-counter medications may ease symptoms associated with your sinuses.

If allergic reactions interfere with your daily activities, call the practice or use the online scheduling tool to create an appointment for treatment.