Allergies Specialist
XBody Health, Wellness & Spa
Functional Medicine & Aesthetics & Medical Spa located in Wayne, NJ
Each year, over 50 million people in the United States suffer from allergies and symptoms associated with them. If routine sneezing, watery or itchy eyes, or a stuffy nose negatively impacts your everyday life, advanced allergy treatments are available at XBody Health, Wellness & Spa in Wayne, New Jersey. Allergy specialists offer allergy testing, medications, and immunotherapy to help you achieve long-lasting allergy relief. Schedule an appointment with XBody Health, Wellness & Spa over the phone or online to learn more.
Allergies Q & A
Allergies develop when your immune system has a reaction to substances most other people don’t have problems with. For example, exposure to common allergens can cause skin reactions like rashes, as well as airway and sinus discomfort.
- Insect stings
- Pollen
- Animal dander
- Mold
- Dust mites
- Certain foods
- Specific medications
- Latex
You may be allergic to more than one substance. Symptoms associated with allergies range from mild to severe or even life-threatening. That’s why seeking allergy treatment for symptom relief is important.
What Are The Symptoms Of Allergies?
The following signs and symptoms may indicate you have allergies:
- Sneezing
- Itchy eyes, nose, or skin
- A runny or stuffy nose
- Watery, red, or swollen eyes
- Facial swelling
- Hives
- A rash
- Chest tightness, shortness of breath, or wheezing
- Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can cause lightheadedness, severe shortness of breath, a drop in blood pressure, or even loss of consciousness if left untreated.
What Tests Diagnose Allergies?
XBody Health, Wellness & Spa practitioners use several diagnostic tests, including skin prick and blood tests, to determine which substances you’re allergic to. Blood tests measure the amount of certain antibodies in your bloodstream.
During a skin prick test, your RN pokes your skin with tiny amounts of various allergens. For about 15-20 minutes, they monitor your skin’s reaction to potential allergens. Redness and swelling often indicate an allergy.
Skin testing identifies immediate allergic reactions to as many as 60 different types of food and environmental allergens. These allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to specific foods or something in your environment. The most common allergens are pollen, poison ivy, or ingested foods, such as tree nuts. Allergy blood testing is another method that uncovers your allergies and food sensitivities. This detects and measures the amount of allergen-specific antibodies that causes an immediate or delayed allergic response.
What Does Treatment For Allergies Entail?
The allergy treatment that best suits your needs depends on the type and severity of allergy symptoms. Your practitioner might recommend one or more of the following treatments:
Avoidance
Avoiding allergens you’re allergic to is often an effective treatment for certain types of allergies, such as latex, medication, pet dander, or food allergies. However, if you’re allergic to airborne substances or insect stings, you can’t always use this treatment strategy.
Medications
Taking over-the-counter or prescription oral medicines, eye drops, or nasal sprays can help reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms -- especially if you have seasonal allergies.
Immunotherapy
Your XBody Health, Wellness & Spa specialist might recommend immunotherapy, or allergy shots, for long-lasting symptom relief. Allergen immunotherapy is a type of treatment to relieve chronic allergy symptoms from allergens such as pollen, mold, or dust mites. Immunotherapy helps your body slowly adapt to and better tolerate the things that trigger your allergies. This treatment involves a series of purified allergen extract injections in increasing dosages for 1 to 2 years to decrease your body’s allergen sensitivity. These can be done within the office or at home. Find out if you are the right candidate by scheduling an appointment with the caring staff at XBody Health, Wellness & Spa.
Emergency epinephrine
For severe allergies, your practitioner might recommend carrying an emergency epinephrine shot with you. Injecting yourself with this shot during a severe allergic reaction helps relieve life-threatening symptoms until you’re able to get medical treatment. Our knowledgeable nursing staff can provide more information or order an epinephrine pen for your use.
Don’t live with watery eyes, a stuffy nose, or other uncomfortable allergy symptoms when simple treatments are available at XBody Health, Wellness & Spa. Contact us to schedule an appointment over the phone or online today.