Seasonal Allergies

What are seasonal allergies?

Allergies are common and occur when your immune system overreacts to a substance that doesn’t harm most people. Seasonal allergies are environmental allergies that occur at certain times of the year.

Pollen from trees, grass, and ragweed are common seasonal allergens. Mold is also a seasonal allergen.

What are symptoms of seasonal allergies?

Seasonal allergy symptoms vary from person to person. With seasonal allergies you may experience:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Itchy, watery eyes 
• Itchy ears
• Sore throat
• Itchy tongue or skin

Seasonal allergies also cause nasal congestion, which may affect breathing and quality of life. The nasal congestion develops from the swelling and inflammation that occurs in your nasal cavity from your allergic reaction. 

How are seasonal allergies diagnosed?

The experienced team at ENT Specialists includes medical professionals who received advanced training to diagnose and treat allergies. 

When it comes to seasonal allergies, the team performs a comprehensive evaluation to diagnose your condition and determine the allergen responsible for your immune system reaction.

During your evaluation, the allergy specialists ask detailed questions about your symptoms and when they occur. They also review your medical and family history and perform a physical exam.

To identify the allergen responsible for your seasonal allergies, the team performs skin allergy testing. During the in-office test, the team pricks your skin with potential allergens and monitors for reactions, which typically occur within 15 minutes. 

How are seasonal allergies treated?

The team at ENT Specialists develops individualized treatment plans for the management of seasonal allergies based on the severity of your symptoms. 

Treatment may include:

• Lifestyle modification to eliminate exposure to allergen
• Antihistamine to alleviate allergy symptoms
• Decongestant to improve breathing and nasal congestion

The experienced team also offers immunotherapy for the treatment of seasonal allergies. Immunotherapy works like vaccines. 

During treatment, you receive injections that contain a small amount of the allergen that causes your symptoms. Over time, your immune system becomes less sensitive to the allergen, which reduces or eliminates your symptoms.

Immunotherapy requires a long-term commitment to get the full benefits. However, most people experience a significant improvement, if not a full recovery, from their seasonal allergies.

To get relief from your seasonal allergies, call ENT Specialists or book an appointment online today.