Monthly Archives: September 2016

Warning Signs of a Serious Allergy

Could you have an allergy? Millions of people throughout the United States and even around the world suffer from allergies. In short, an allergy is the body’s reaction to a substance. This substance is usually something that most people do not suffer any reaction to, but for some reason, your body does. Sometimes, allergies can be very significant. In other cases, allergies can be very mild and even hard to detect. If you believe you have an allergy or could have one, it is best to schedule a consultation with an allergist to learn more about the risks and the treatment options available to you.

Symptoms of an Allergy

For some people, allergies create very few symptoms. Sometimes, they seem like cold symptoms. For other people, the allergen can create a very significant reaction. Some of the worse allergies can create a life threatening event for you and need immediate treatment.

The symptoms of most moderate to severe reactions include the following:

  • Pain in the abdomen.
  • High pitched or otherwise abnormal breathing sounds
  • Chest discomfort or tightness
  • Anxiety
  • Diarrhea
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Dizziness or light headedness
  • Coughing
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Flushing of the face
  • Vomiting
  • Redness of the face
  • Swelling in your eyes, face, tongue or where the contact occurred
  • Wheezing
  • Unconsciousness
  • Palpitations
  • Inability to breathe
  • Rapid heart rate

If and when a person is suffering from a severe reaction, immediate action is necessary. The first step is to call 911 for immediate help. It is then necessary to keep the person as calm as possible. Many people become afraid, which increases the body’s response and speeds up the reaction. Then, it is important to identify what the allergy was and to determine if there is any type of contact still happening. In some situations, it is possible to remove a stinger to reduce the reaction. Never use tweezers to do this since squeezing the stinger can worsen the venom. In some cases, CPR is necessary. If an individual has swelling in his or her airway, it is very important to seek immediate help.

It can be very worrisome to experience an allergic reaction. If you are at risk for having one, ensure you are taking every step possible to reduce those risks. Call our offices to schedule a consultation with the best allergist in New York City to begin your treatment options and allergy testing.

Call our offices at 212-319-5282 to schedule an appointment.

What Is Immunotherapy for Allergies?

For some people, preventing allergic reactions is not the only type of treatment available. It may also be possible to treat the condition. Allergen immunotherapy is one solution. More commonly known as allergy shots, this type of treatment can work to reduce the symptoms a person has to some types of allergies, such as allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, insect allergies, or allergic asthma. The process works to desensitize the immune system to the threat, therefore reducing or eliminating the response from it. If you have heard this may be an option for you, call our offices to schedule a consultation with our allergist.

Who Will Benefit from Allergy Shots?

Allergy shots can help many people. They are often used in both children and adults as a treatment option. Whether or not you should have this treatment is dependent on a variety of factors including:

  • Whether or not you want to continue to take long term medications, which this treatment can eliminate
  • Whether you suffer from allergies long term or whether you only suffer minimally or seasonally
  • The severity of the allergy
  • How well your condition is controlled using medications
  • How much help you obtain from environmental control of your symptoms
  • The cost of the shots and the availability of the treatment with your insurance
  • The amount of time available for the treatment, since the process can take a significant amount of time.

For those who are suffering from an allergy, it can seem very hard to overcome. However, allergy shots are often very effective. Over time, your doctor will provide you with an increased amount of allergen. At first, you will have only a small amount of exposure. Over time, the amount of the injection increases, until your body develops more of an immunity to it. The process of build-up can take from three to six months requiring one or two shots each week. After this point, you will need to maintain this. This ensures the condition does not require. During this phase, you may need fewer treatments.

If you would like to learn more about immunotherapy and how well it can work for your needs, call our offices to schedule a consultation. When you do, you’ll learn what to expect, if it can work for your needs, and how long you may need care. Schedule a consultation with our New York City doctor today.

Call our offices at 212-319-5282 to schedule an appointment.

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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