Are you tired of sneezing, sniffling, and experiencing itchy eyes every allergy season? Well, so is your friendly neighborhood allergist! While immunotherapy can be incredibly effective in managing allergies, there are also numerous lifestyle changes that can help fight back against pesky pollen. In this blog post, we’ll explore some surprising ways your allergist may suggest reducing your allergy symptoms and improving overall quality of life during allergy season. Get ready to take control of your allergies and enjoy the great outdoors once again!
What is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that uses your immune system to fight against allergies. Immunotherapy is different from allergy shots, because it tries to reduce the number of allergen exposures over time. Immunotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as anti-allergic medications.
There are several types of immunotherapy, including injectable and oral medications. Oral immunotherapy pills (such as montelukast) work by stimulating your immune system to build up antibodies against allergens. Injectable immunotherapy treatments (such as subcutaneous desensitization) use small doses of allergens over time to teach your immune system how to react normally to these allergens.
While immunotherapy is not a cure for allergies, it can help reduce the severity and frequency of allergic reactions. And because allergy seasons can be so disruptive and uncomfortable, an allergist may also recommend lifestyle changes – such as avoiding pollen in the summer – to help improve overall symptoms.
How does Immunotherapy work?
Allergy season is a time of year that can be particularly tough for people with allergies. This is because allergens, like dust mites and pet dander, tend to increase in number and severity during the warmer months.
Immunotherapy is a type of allergy treatment that uses a person’s own immune system to fight their allergies. Immunotherapy works by training the person’s immune system to recognize and attack allergens.
There are two main types of immunotherapy: systemic and inhalational. Systemic immunotherapy uses an allergen extract (such as pollen) to stimulate the person’s immune system in pill form. Inhalational immunotherapy uses an allergen (such as house dust) aerosols to stimulate the person’s immune system.
Systemic immunotherapy usually takes 6-8 weeks to work, while inhalational immunotherapy usually takes 3-6 months to work. Once the therapy has started, it generally remains effective for years or even indefinitely. However, there is always some risk of flare-ups, so it is important to keep using immunotherapy if it is working well for you.
Immunotherapy can be very effective in fighting allergies, but it does not work for everyone. It is important to speak with your allergist about whether or not it is a good option for you.
What are the benefits of Immunotherapy?
Allergy season can be a really tough time for people with allergies. The weather changes, new things come into the environment, and it’s just hard to fight off all those sneezes and itchy eyes! But an allergist can help!
One of the main benefits of allergy therapy is that it can help you manage your symptoms better. By targeting your specific allergies, you can usually avoid some of the more common triggers, which means less inflammation and irritation in your body. And if you do get hit by a trigger, your allergist may be able to give you warnings about what might cause your allergic reaction so you can be prepared.
Another big advantage of allergy therapy is that it can help reduce the number of times you have an allergic reaction. Allergies are caused by sensitivities to certain things – typically proteins or pollen – and when those sensitivities are repeatedly exposed to a particular thing, it builds up over time and becomes an allergy. Treatment with allergy drugs like anti-histamines or steroids can help reduce the number of times you have an allergic reaction, but they don’t always work well. That’s where allergy therapy comes in: It helps to reset your immune system so that future exposures to allergens don’t cause as many reactions.
So if allergies are causing problems for you this season, talk to your allergist about treatment options!
What are the risks of Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a therapy that uses the body’s natural immune system to fight off disease. Immunotherapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for some types of cancer, but it is also being used to treat allergies. There are some risks associated with immunotherapy, but allergists are always on the lookout for potential side effects and work to minimize them.
How can an allergist fight allergy season?
In the US, allergy season typically starts in late spring and peaks in late summer. The best time to seek treatment for allergies is during the fall, when symptoms are usually milder. However, even during allergy season, an allergist can help you manage your symptoms and prevent serious health complications.
An allergist can help identify the cause of your allergies and provide treatments that will reduce or eliminate your symptoms. Some common treatments an allergist might prescribe include immunotherapy (prescription medications that help the body build immunity against allergic reactions), environmental modifications (such as avoiding pet dander, pollens, or other allergenic substances), and lifestyle changes (such as eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise).
If you’re experiencing severe allergic symptoms, an allergist may recommend supplemental oxygen or steroids to help combat any inflammation caused by your allergies. Additionally, an allergist may refer you to a pulmonologist if you have asthma related to your allergies. In extreme cases where over-the-counter allergy medications aren’t helping or if asthma is not controlled well with medication, surgery may be recommended as a last resort.
Conclusion
Springtime is allergy season, and for many people, this means hay fever, sneezing everything up, and a general itchy feeling all over. For people with allergies, spring also brings the fear that one day their worst allergy ever will happen – an attack in public that leaves them gasping for air or even death. But there are things you can do to reduce your risk of an allergic reaction and even prevent them altogether – something allergists know all too well. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the ways allergists fight back against allergy season: through immunotherapy treatments like epinephrine shots; lifestyle changes such as keeping dust mites under control; and by educating their patients about how to protect themselves from allergens.
