What can an allergist do?

Our ENT physicians are trained in the diagnosis, treatment and management of allergies and asthma. We offer allergy testing and proven treatment plans to ease your seasonal or year-round suffering.

When should you revisit an allergist?

See an Allergist if over-the-counter medications and antihistamines aren’t effectively managing your symptoms, allergies make it difficult to breathe, cause congestion or sinus infection, allergies or asthma interfere with your quality of life or daily activities, uou experience seasonal allergy or hay fever symptoms or your asthma is not well controlled.

What are the allergy treatment steps?

The steps to finally find relief include scheduling an appointment, undergoing allergy tests and following a treatment plan.

How are allergies tested?

The only way to treat your allergy symptoms is to determine their exact cause; this is accomplished through a series of allergy tests: skin prick test, intradermal test, blood test.

Allergies | Hampton Roads ENT ~ Allergy

Q: How are allergies treated?

Allergies can be treated through prevention, medication or immunotherapy.

An allergy is an exaggerated response from your immune system to a normally harmless substance. Common allergens (the name given to these trigger substances) include pollen, mold, dust mites, pet dander, food and chemicals. Allergies affect about one out of every five Americans.

What Causes Allergies?

A mature dandelion head with many seeds scattered around it

Your immune system is your body’s first line of defense against germs and bacteria. Comprised of cells, proteins, tissues and organs, it is essential in maintaining your health and preventing infections. When a threat is perceived, the immune system responds by attacking the substances that are invading the body.

Allergies are the result of the immune system responding in an over protective manner to a harmless substance. When an allergen is encountered, antibodies – proteins designed to protect against foreign invaders – are produced. These trigger the release of chemicals called histamines, which are responsible for the telltale symptoms of allergies.

What Are the Symptoms of Allergies?

Allergies may be seasonal or occur year-round. Hay fever caused by pollen from grasses, trees and weeds is the most common seasonal allergy. Symptoms include:

Stuffy and/or runny nose.
Sneezing.
Itchiness in the nose and throat.
Postnasal drip.
Itchy, watery eyes.
Pressure in the ears.
Fatigue.

Year-round allergies produce the same symptoms; common ones are mold, dust mites, pet dander, environmental irritants like smog or smoke, medications and chemicals. Insect stings and bites fall in this category, too. They can produce a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.

How Are Allergies Treated?

Avoiding the allergen trigger is the best method of preventing allergy attacks. Medications are available to reduce your immune system’s reaction and provide symptom relief; drugs such as antihistamines, decongestants and corticosteroids can all prove helpful.

Those whose allergies do not respond to medical treatment may be given allergy shots (immunotherapy) in an effort to build up a tolerance to the offending substance through regular injections given for several years.

Call our Hampton office at (757) 825-2500 or our Williamsburg office at (757) 253-8722 for more information or to schedule an appointment.