Monthly Archives: May 2016

What Is the Cause of Allergic Reactions?

You’ve learned you have an allergy or you suspect that you do. Now what? You may need to turn to your doctor or an allergist to learn more about your condition and what you are allergic to specifically. But, you may be wondering. What causes allergies to happen anyway? Take a few minutes to consider what you need to know about allergies to find out more about what you can do to prevent the symptoms and allergic reactions from occurring.

The hardest answer to grasp is that scientists do not fully understand why some people are allergic to a substance and others are not. They also do not understand why some people are allergic to one thing while others have a long list of things that create symptoms. Allergies do tend to run in families. If your parents or their parents had allergies, you are more likely to have them yourself. In many cases, the same types of allergies tend to pass down from one generation to the next. You are at a greater risk of developing an allergy if any close member of your family has one.

In other cases, there is no tie. And, an individual seems to develop allergies. Some research indicates that exposure to some foods too early in life can increase risks of developing allergies. In other people, there is no known reason why an allergy develops. However, those who have them are most likely to be allergic to the following:

  • Pet dander
  • Pollen
  • Mold spores
  • Some types of foods, most commonly nuts and shellfish
  • Bee stings or other types of stings or bites from insects
  • Certain types of plants
  • Some medications

If you have been diagnosed with an allergy, take it seriously. Take the steps necessary to avoid exposure to that type of substance that you are allergic to. What is most important is that people who think they are allergic to some type of substance to seek out medical treatment from a specialist. An allergist will work closely with you to determine what types of medical concerns you have and help you to fully understand what types of substances you are allergic to. This is a comprehensive process and it can save your life and improve your quality of life as well.

Schedule an appointment with our NYC allergist by calling 212-319-5282 today.

What Is an Allergy?

Coughing, sneezing, wheezing. These are some of the most common symptoms people suffering from an allergy will have. You’ve heard people say they have allergies, but what does it really mean? What is an allergy and why does it happen? Often times, people do not think twice about this condition until their doctor recommends having an allergy test. There could be an underlying cause for your symptoms beyond the surface symptoms you are feeling.

Defining Allergy

An allergy is simply a reaction. Specifically, it occurs when a substance causes your immune system to react in the wrong way. Less defined, it is a reaction to a substance of some type that does not cause a reaction in most other people. It is important to ensure that you know allergies can be various degrees of severity. Some people have very mild and hard to notice symptoms. For others, the symptom can be life threatening.

Many people who suffer from allergies are often sensitive to more than one substance. However, it can be very different and a unique combination for each person. Some of the substances that cause the most reactions include the following:

  • Tree pollen
  • Insect stings, such as bee stings
  • Specific types of food
  • Dust mites
  • Mold spores
  • Medications
  • Pet dander

The body’s immune system is not supposed to react with these substances because we know that they tend to be safe for most people. However, for those that have an allergy, the immune system does react. The job of this very important system within the body is to fight off germs or invaders and for some reason, your body recognizes these substances as an invader. The reactions you have are often the result of the body’s immune system taking action to rid the body of that invader.

In most cases, allergies are brought on by hereditary factors or environmental factors. In most situations, we do not know what causes them to occur. However, when these symptoms become intense or severe, they can become very hard to manage on a day to day basis.

If you believe you may be suffering from an allergy, your initial family doctor may provide some insight. However, specific testing is often best when it is done by an allergist.

Schedule an appointment with the best allergist in New York City by contacting our office at 212-319-5282 and learn what steps you can take.

Serving all of New York City and the Tri State Area including Zip Codes: Top Allergist NYC Midtown, Chelsea and Clinton: 10001, 10011, 10018, 10019, 10020, 10036 | Gramercy Park and Murray Hill: 10010, 10016, 10017, 10022 | Greenwich Village and Soho: 10012, 10013, 10014 | Lower Manhattan: 10004, 10005, 10006, 10007, 10038, 10280 | Lower East Side: 10002, 10003, 10009 | Upper East Side: 10021, 10028, 10044, 10128 | Upper West Side: 10023, 10024, 10025

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