Up to 25 percent of the population in the industrialized world suffers from allergies, and the number is rising. Allergies are reactions of the immune system to substances that, in most people, cause no symptoms. Allergies occur due to an immune response that reacts towards natural substances in the environment in the same way it would react towards something harmful. The reason that the immune system reacts to a harmless substance is unknown.
Types of Allergies:
Three types of allergies exist: respiratory allergy, skin-related allergy, and food allergy.
The respiratory system is usually affected if a person is allergic to tree pollen, grass pollen, animals (such as pets and farm animals), molds, and house dust mites. Allergic symptoms include sneezing, itching, watery eyes and nose, and wheezing. Hay fever (rhinitis) and/or asthma are the most common results of respiratory allergies.
Allergy to substances such as metals and fragrances and allergy to proteins such as latex affect the skin and is known as allergic eczema or contact allergy (contact dermatitis). The symptoms are usually itching, burning, reddening, and blisters of the affected area. Allergic eczema most often occurs in early childhood but also appears in older children and adults.
The most common food-related allergies are cow’s milk, egg, soy, yeast, corn, wheat, and oat. Eczema, diarrhea, nausea, and, in some cases, anaphylaxis are potential symptoms of food-related allergies. The best way to treat food allergies is avoidance and/or rotation. You cannot build a blocking antibody to foods. We found that in the milder cases of food allergies, symptoms are relieved after the first vial of allergy serum.
Ironically, the same substances (allergens) that cause allergies are also used to treat them. The serum builds up blocking antibodies against antigens which cause the immune system to become less sensitive to the allergen, reducing symptoms when the same allergen is encountered in the future.
Skin tests
The health professional doing the skin prick or intradermal test will:
Clean the test site (usually on your back or arm) with alcohol.
Place drops of the possible allergens on your skin about 1 in. (2.5 cm) to 2 in. (5 cm) apart. This allows many substances to be tested at the same time.
Prick the skin under each drop with a needle. The needle passes through the drop and allows some of the allergen to penetrate your skin. For the intradermal test, a needle is used to inject the allergen solution deeper into the skin. See a picture of a skin prick allergy test.
If you have any questions about allergy testing or immunotherapy, please call us at (281) 340-9355.
Allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots) is a long-term treatment that gradually desensitizes your immune system to specific allergens. Regular injections at low doses train your body to tolerate allergens with fewer reactions over time.
The build-up phase typically lasts three to six months, with weekly injections. The maintenance phase lasts three to five years, with monthly injections. Many patients experience lasting relief even after treatment ends.
Common allergens treated include tree, grass, and weed pollens; mold; dust mites; pet dander; and insect venom. Your provider will identify your specific triggers through testing.
Immunotherapy is appropriate for patients with allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, or insect venom allergies whose symptoms are not adequately controlled with medication. A consultation with your Make You Well provider will determine if it is right for you.