Allergy Testing and Treatment in Washington | American Family Care

Keeping You Healthy During Allergy Season

Are you struggling to stay healthy this allergy season? If you’re suffering from seasonal allergy symptoms, let American Family Care locations in Washington take care of you. Each year, millions of individuals suffer from allergies due to insect bites, dust, pet dander, pollen, mold, and other irritants. Allergic reactions occur when your body thinks it's fighting off harmful invaders, like bacteria and illness, but what ends up happening is it reacts too strongly – producing symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, hives, and so forth.

Because many allergy symptoms are similar to those of a cold or flu, many people don't realize they have seasonal allergies, thinking instead that they have a stubborn illness. Instead, seasonal allergies are brought on by environmental triggers that are most prevalent during a particular season, like pollen, grass, oak, and so forth. Our American Family Care locations in Washington team of experienced medical professionals provide patients of all ages with quality seasonal allergy treatments that help them live happier, healthier lives.

We can either provide you with the consultation you need to get through allergy season medication-free or, if necessary, prescribe the medication needed to relieve allergy symptoms. Don’t suffer needlessly if you’re dealing with seasonal allergies or another type of allergic reaction – visit American Family Care locations in Washington today.

Symptoms Of Seasonal Allergies

The list of symptoms caused by allergies is longer than you might think. Common symptoms of seasonal allergies include:

• Runny or congested nose
• Asthma
• Sore or itchy throat
• Puffy, itchy, or watery eyes
• Frequent ear infections
• Sinus headaches
• Nasal polyps
• Conjunctivitis (eye irritation)
• Muscle/joint pain
• Skin rashes and eczema
• Mental problems such as confusion, slow thinking, depression, and forgetfulness.
• Post-nasal drip
• Sneezing

Respiratory effects include endless colds, chronic cough, recurrent bronchitis. Many allergy sufferers find they have trouble sleeping during allergy season, which can have a negative effect on anyone’s daily routine.

Reduce Your Exposure To Allergy Triggers

To reduce your exposure to the things that trigger your allergy signs and symptoms:

• Stay indoors on dry, windy days.
• Delegate lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening chores. Wear a pollen mask if you do outside chores.
• Remove clothes you've worn outside and shower to rinse pollen away.
• Don't hang laundry outside.
• Take extra steps when pollen counts are high
• If high pollen counts are forecast, start taking allergy medications before your symptoms start.
• Close doors and windows at night or any other time when pollen counts are high.
• Keep indoor air clean.
• If you have forced-air heating or air conditioning in your house, use high-efficiency filters and follow regular maintenance schedules.
• Keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier.
• Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom.
• Clean floors often with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter.

Over-the-counter Remedies For Seasonal Allergies

Several types of nonprescription medications can help ease allergy symptoms. They include:

• Oral Antihistamines - Help relieve sneezing, itching, a runny nose and watery eyes. (Examples: Claritin, Alavert, Zyrtec Allergy, Allegra Allergy)
• Oral Decongestants - Provide temporary relief from nasal stuffiness. (Examples: Sudafed, Afrinol)
• Nasal Spray Decongestants - Provide temporary relief from nasal stuffiness. (Examples: Afrin, Neo-Synephrine). Only use nasal decongestants for a few days in a row. Long-term use can worsen symptoms.
• Nasal spray - Eases allergy symptoms and it's most effective when you begin using it before your symptoms start. (Example: cromolyn sodium nasal spray)
• Combination medications - Combine an antihistamine with a decongestant. (Examples: Claritin-D, Allegra-D)

When home remedies aren't enough, see your doctor

For many people, avoiding allergens and taking over-the-counter medications is enough to ease symptoms. But if your seasonal allergies are still bothersome, don't give up. A number of other treatments are available.

If you have bad seasonal allergies, your doctor may recommend that you have skin tests or blood tests to find out exactly what allergens trigger your symptoms. Testing can help determine what steps you need to take to avoid your specific triggers and identify which treatments are likely to work best for you.

For some people, allergy shots (allergen immunotherapy) can be a good option. Also known as desensitization, this treatment involves regular injections containing tiny amounts of the substances that cause your allergies. Over time, these injections reduce the immune system reaction that causes symptoms. For some allergies, treatment can be given as tablets under the tongue.

American Family Care FAQs About Seasonal Allergies

How Can I Tell If I Have Seasonal Allergies Or A Cold?

Do you have a temperature, or general aches and pains? If so, you’re likely dealing with a cold, not seasonal allergies. Either way, American Family Care locations in Washington can help.

What Are Some Common Treatments For Seasonal Allergies?

Nasal steroid sprays, antihistamines, and decongestants are often used to treat seasonal allergies. While many of these can be purchased over the counter, some patients need prescription-strength allergy medicine.

How Can I Tell What I’m Allergic To?

We can help you try to identify your triggers when you visit our clinic. Our providers know the right questions to ask and can help you get relief quickly.

What Triggers My Seasonal Allergies?

There are many items in the environment that could cause allergies. They fall into four general categories:

• Animal dander — from dogs, cats, and cockroaches
• Mold and mildew
• Dust mites
• Pollen – from trees, grass, and weeds

Did you know we have a complex in-house lab for our testing services? This means faster more accurate results! This also reduces costs and fees for you. At American Family Care locations in Washington our mission is to provide the best healthcare possible in a kind and caring environment, in an economical manner, while respecting the rights of all of our patients, at times and locations convenient to the patient.