The bevy of distressing symptoms allergies bring on can have a significant impact on anyone’s quality of life. If you’re living with allergies, the nasty discomforts, such as runny nose, headache, watery eyes, constant sneezing, and sore throat become all-too-familiar realities that you constantly need to anticipate and avoid.
While home remedies and over-the-counter medications can help, consulting an allergy doctor is your best bet for taking full control of your symptoms. An allergy doctor will perform a thorough evaluation to pinpoint what’s causing your allergies, recommend specific measures to help you limit your exposure to the allergen, and devise a treatment plan that will help you manage the symptoms. An allergy doctor may prescribe any or a combination of the following treatment options:
Immunotherapy
An allergy doctor may recommend immunotherapy, which involves the injection of a specific allergen into your skin, on a regular basis for a certain period of time, to allow your immune system to build resistance to the allergen, Over time, you will notice a significant reduction in the symptoms.
Injectable Medications (XOLAIR)
If you have allergic asthma, your allergy doctor may prescribe XOLAIR, and administer it via injection every two or four weeks. XOLAIR is recommended for long-term use in adult and child (6 years of age or older) patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma and who have symptoms that do not respond to oral prescription medications or corticosteroid inhalers.
Antihistamine Nasal Sprays
Your allergy doctor may also prescribe an antihistamine nasal spray, such as Azelastine or Olopatadine, to help relieve postnasal drip, itchy or runny nose, and sneezing.
Decongestants
To provide you with fast-acting, temporary relief for your nasal and sinus congestion, your allergy doctor may also prescribe you a decongestant. Contraindications for decongestant medications are glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Nasal Corticosteroid Sprays
An allergy doctor may also give you a nasal corticosteroid, such as Flonase or Nasacort, to help relieve nasal stuffiness, sneezing, or runny nose.
Epinephrine Pens
If you have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), an allergy doctor may administer an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen), which works by constricting your blood vessels to prevent the progression of an allergic response. This is to provide you with quick relief and to prevent life-threatening complications.
Board-Certified Allergy Doctors in Weatherford, TX
At the Lung & Sleep Specialists of North Texas, we provide the most comprehensive solution for allergies. Whether you have a food allergy, environmental allergy, or asthma, we have board-certified allergy doctors who can help you effectively manage your condition.
At the Lung & Sleep Specialists of North Texas, we pride ourselves in the expertise and relentlessness of our providers in helping many of our patients live a decent quality of life, regardless of the severity of their condition.
To arrange a consultation with one of our allergy doctors, call us at (817) 594-9993 or request an appointment online. We look forward to helping you navigate your way to better health!