Allergies affect millions of Americans and hundreds of millions of others worldwide. Among the most common symptoms of allergies are sneezing, itching, edema (swelling), asthma, rash and nasal drip. Among the list of severe allergic reactions is one of the most worrying, anaphylaxis. Each year, 40 people die from it in the United States and is usually caused by food, insect stings and medications. If you are suffering from any of these issues, schedule a visit with your local Medical Doctor in Andover Kansas.
Allergies have no cure. However, through certain treatments, you can reduce the amount of reactions. The Mayo Clinic describes the following treatments:
• Avoid allergens. With the doctor’s help, you can identify and avoid the substances that cause a reaction. This is a major step in preventing allergic reactions.
• Medications to alleviate your symptoms. Allergy medications may reduce your immune system reaction and thus relieve symptoms. Drugs used depend on the substances that cause the reaction. Doctors may indicate oral medications, nasal sprays or eye drops. Some medications may include antihistamines, decongestants, corticosteroids, and others.
• For severe allergies or for those cases not experiencing improvement, your doctor may recommend vaccinations (immunotherapy). This treatment includes a number of purified allergen extract injections, which are generally administered over a certain amount of time (usually several years).
• Emergency epinephrine. People with severe allergies may need to carry a shot of epinephrine with them at all times, to be administered in an emergency. Epinephrine injections may reduce symptoms until you get to a hospital and receive emergency treatment.
To determine the allergens to which a person is allergic, a Medical Doctor in Andover Kansas can perform the following: Skin tests, patches or blood tests. For most people, skin tests are the most effective and least expensive way to confirm allergens. There are two types of skin exams. In the first, a drop of potential allergen is placed on the skin and then a small needle is inserted through the drop. If the person is allergic to the substance, the skin will redden, swell and itch at the site. Patches are used to confirm if a person has contact dermatitis. The doctor a possible allergen on the skin and covers it with a bandage. After 48 hours, you will see if there is a reaction. Blood tests are also used in cases where people have allergies. Visit us website to learn more.