Environmental Allergies
Allergy & Immunology, Rheumatology & Asthma Specialists located in Amarillo, TX
Environmental allergies develop when substances in your surroundings trigger an adverse immune system reaction. If you develop hay fever or other environmental allergy symptoms, visit Allergy A.R.T.S. in Amarillo, Texas. Constantine K. Saadeh, MD, FAAAAI, FACP, FACR, and the providers use their expertise and on-site diagnostics to determine what you’re allergic to and treat it accordingly. Call the Allergy A.R.T.S. office or schedule a consultation online today to get expert help for your environmental allergies.
Environmental allergies are adverse reactions to substances in your surroundings that are typically harmless. Environmental allergies cause similar symptoms to the common cold, including:
For most people, environmental allergies are a nuisance but not life-threatening. However, if you have a breathing disorder like asthma, you might suffer from severe symptoms that pose a significant health risk.
Substances that cause environmental allergies are called allergens. They could be anything in your surroundings, but the most common are:
Dust mites are microscopic insects living in soft furnishings and mattresses. Most homes have them, but you won’t notice if you don’t have an allergy because they’re invisible to the naked eye.
If you’re allergic to pollen from plants and trees, your symptoms likely worsen when pollen counts are highest in the spring and late fall.
Pet dander can trigger symptoms if you’re near an animal or somewhere an animal’s been. If you’re more sensitive, you might develop symptoms from being near someone with pet dander on their clothes.
Mold prefers damp environments like basements and bathrooms. Your allergy symptoms could also be worse during wet weather.
Cigarette smoke might not cause an allergy, but it can irritate and worsen your symptoms.
To determine what’s causing an environmental allergy, your Allergy A.R.T.S. provider asks about your symptoms and reviews your medical and family history. They can identify specific environmental allergens using skin and/or blood tests.
After diagnosing what’s causing your environmental allergy, your provider might recommend over-the-counter medicines like antihistamines. These drugs reduce inflammation caused by histamine release, the primary cause of allergy symptoms.
Avoiding environmental allergens as far as possible is essential. For example, stay inside when the pollen count is high, use air purifiers with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, vacuum regularly, and wash bedding to reduce dust mites and pet dander.
If your allergy is severe, you might need prescription medications. Another option is immunotherapy (allergy shots). Immunotherapy exposes you to tiny amounts of an allergen over long periods to get your body used to the substance.
Call Allergy A.R.T.S. today or schedule a consultation online to get expert help with environmental allergies.