What is an allergy?
The immune system's response to foreign substances or food can cause allergies. This response differs for everyone, as not every human reacts similarly to the specific allergen. An allergen is a substance that brings out an allergic reaction in our body.
Upon exposure to the allergen, our immune system produces antibodies that identify the harmless allergen as harmful. This reaction may inflame the airways, digestive system, sinuses, nasal passages, and skin.
The severity of allergies varies and may range from mild to severe. In extreme cases, it can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis. You may also face slight irritation when exposed to an allergen. While most allergies lack a permanent cure, treatments that allergists prescribe can help relieve the symptoms.
What causes an allergy?
Medical experts cannot elucidate what triggers allergies in some individuals. However, evidence suggests that allergies tend to run in families, indicating a hereditary component. Those with a close family member who experiences allergies are more likely to develop them.
While the exact cause of allergies remains uncertain, certain substances are commonly known to elicit an allergic response. People who suffer from allergies are typically sensitive to one or more of the following:
- Pet dander like that of cats or dogs
- Bee stings or bites from other insects
- Certain foods, including nuts and shellfish
- Certain medications, such as penicillin and aspirin
- Certain plants
- Pollen, mold, and dust mites
Who is an allergist?
Allergists are Doctors of Medicine (MDs) specializing in diagnosing, treating, and managing asthma, allergies, and primary immunodeficiency disorders. They are also known as immunologists. They treat common conditions like hay fever, food allergies, eczema, psoriasis, sinusitis, and specific ear infections.
Education and training of an allergist
Like most doctors, allergists also need to earn a bachelor's degree in science and finish four years of medical school. They also complete three years of internal medicine and pediatrics training and a two-year immunology or allergy medicine fellowship program.
The next step is to clear an examination conducted by the American Board of Pediatrics or the American Board of Internal Medicine, followed by an examination authorized by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology to become a certified practitioner in the United States.
Although pollen, dander, medication, and food allergies are most common, one can be allergic to just about anything. This makes it crucial for allergists to have extensive training to understand, diagnose, and treat various allergies. Their training qualifies them to diagnose and treat conditions like hay fever, food allergies, food intolerances, eczema, psoriasis, asthma, and specific sinus and ear infections.
Asthma: types, symptoms, and treatment
Asthma is a chronic (long-term) condition impacting the lungs, in which airways tighten, become narrow, swell, and produce excess mucus. People with asthma generally experience breathing difficulties, wheezing, breathlessness, coughing (especially at night), and chest tightness. An asthma attack may also occur when the airways become inflamed and constricted, which can be a life-threatening emergency. In case of an attack, you may experience symptoms such as bluish fingernails, pale or sweaty face, difficulty talking, rapid breathing, or unstoppable coughing.
There are several types of asthma, such as:
1. Allergic asthma:
Substances like pet dander, pollen from grass, trees and weeds, dust mites, mold, and certain foods can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks.
2. Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB):
EIB occurs when the airways narrow after physical activity. It is caused by loss of water, heat, or both from the airways during exercise. Some symptoms include decreased endurance, upset stomach, wheezing, and sore throat.
3. Occupational asthma:
Constant exposure to products such as cleaning supplies, dust from flour or wood, smoke, or other chemicals can lead to asthma symptoms. According to the National Institutes of Health, bakers, metal workers, drug manufacturers, farmers, woodworkers, plastic factory workers, and lab workers are at high risk of asthma.
An allergist near you may recommend treatment options such as bronchodilators (medication that relaxes muscles around the airways), anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce swelling and mucus production, inhalers, and biologic therapy to help asthmatic patients.
When should you visit an allergist, and what to expect?
Although most allergies are not curable, an allergist or immunologist can help regulate them. Consider seeing an allergist if you experience the following symptoms:
- Frequent cold-like symptoms such as nasal congestion, cough, and headache
- Over-the-counter medications such as decongestants don't help even after prolonged use or cause side effects such as drowsiness
- Frequent wheezing or coughing after exercise
- Tightness in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained mouth and throat irritation
Before visiting an allergist near you, you can maintain a symptom diary mentioning recurring symptoms, places or seasons in which you experience them, and how often you experience them. Also, ensure you carry a record of your medical history, any previous test results, and any asthma or allergies, such as hives or skin rashes, that may be a part of your family history. This information will help your allergist diagnose your condition accurately. Your doctor may also order an allergy test, which includes placing a small amount of allergen (allergy-causing substance) on your skin to determine your allergy. They may also examine your nose, throat, skin, and lungs.
After testing, your doctor will create a personalized treatment and management plan to help alleviate your allergy symptoms. They may also suggest preventive treatments such as allergy shots or Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT) to avoid any future development of new allergies and asthma.
What are seasonal allergies and their symptoms?
Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, occur when the immune system reacts strongly to outdoor allergens like pollen. These pollen come from wind-pollinated plants such as trees, grasses, and weeds. Pollen from insect-pollinated plants isn't as likely to cause allergies because it is heavier and doesn't stay airborne for long.
Although seasonal allergies are less common in the winter, allergic rhinitis can occur anytime. Different plants release their pollen at varying periods of the year. Depending on your allergy triggers and where you live, you may have hay fever during more than one season. You may also be allergic to indoor allergens like mold or pet dander.
Seasonal allergies can vary in severity, showing symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose, ear congestion, sneezing, and watery and itchy eyes. It can also present as itchiness in the sinuses, throat, or ear canals, along with ear congestion and postnasal drainage. Less frequent symptoms include headaches, shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. For those with hay fever and asthma, seasonal allergens could trigger an asthma attack.
Hay fever is often easier to diagnose than other allergies. If you only experience allergic symptoms at certain times of the year, you may have seasonal allergic rhinitis. An allergist near you may examine your ears, nose, and throat to make a diagnosis. In most cases, allergy testing is unnecessary. Your treatment for allergic rhinitis will most likely be the same regardless of which allergen you react to.
The simplest and most efficient remedy for seasonal allergies is to avoid allergens that cause symptoms. You can also be prescribed medications like over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines, combination medications containing acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, and phenylephrine, and prescription medications like steroid nasal sprays and allergy shots.
Additionally, some people explore alternative treatments such as quercetin, found in fruits and vegetables; Lactobacillus acidophilus, found in yogurt; spirulina, a type of blue-green algae; and vitamin C, which has mild antihistamine properties.
What is the difference between an allergist and an allergologist?
Allergists and allergologists are specialists who manage a variety of immune system disorders, including allergies, asthma, autoimmune diseases, and immunodeficiency conditions. While their responsibilities and the tests they conduct are similar, there are some subtle distinctions between them.
Allergists diagnose and treat allergies and allergic reactions. On the other hand, allergologists often have a broader scope, addressing immune system disorders beyond just allergies. Both specialists are crucial in helping patients with symptoms that might indicate allergies and can create treatment plans to manage these conditions.
Both allergists and allergologists work on preventing, diagnosing, and treating immune system dysfunctions, which include situations where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body, leading to various symptoms. They treat a wide range of conditions connected to immune system issues, including allergies, asthma, and autoimmune disorders.
Allergies treated by these specialists can involve reactions to food, insects, skin irritants, medications, seasonal triggers, and more, including pediatric allergies. They may perform allergy tests and provide treatment options such as avoidance strategies, medications, or immunotherapy to help patients build tolerance to allergens. Beyond allergies, allergologists may also handle other immune system disorders, particularly those where the immune system attacks the body or malfunctions.
By addressing these issues, allergists and allergologists aim to help patients manage their symptoms, improve their health, and bring down the severity of allergic reactions. They create comprehensive allergy management plans, focusing on a holistic approach to care and ensuring all aspects of immune system dysfunction are addressed effectively.
If you’re dealing with allergies or other immune system concerns, you can visit an allergologist or an allergist for evaluation and treatment. By doing so, you can reduce allergic reactions, minimize outbreaks, and lessen the impact allergies have on your daily life. Allergologists, in particular, can identify the root causes of allergies, confirm their presence, and provide thorough evaluations. This allows patients to take control of their allergies and work towards better overall health.
How can you find an allergist in Fairfax, Virginia?
Learning which allergies you or your children may have is extremely important. Some allergies can become life-threatening and cause anaphylaxis (when lots of chemicals are released by the immune system, causing one to go into shock). An allergist can help not only treat allergies but also regulate and prevent them in the future.
Finding an experienced allergist near you can be a challenging task. However, with Zocdoc, users can easily search for one in Fairfax, Virginia, and avoid waiting long hours in a hospital or clinic. To book an online or in-person consultation, visit the Zocdoc website and enter your condition or symptoms, location, and insurance plan. You can also browse the list of top-rated allergists in your area and filter the displayed search results based on the provider's gender, hospital affiliation, language, distance, and whether they treat children.
To help you make an informed decision, Zocdoc provides every healthcare professional's medical background, including specialties, awards, licenses, accreditation, and certifications. You can also choose an allergist based on verified patient reviews and ratings. To check which provider accepts your insurance, enter your insurance carrier and plan in the drop-down menu at the top of the page. It will automatically filter your results with in-network providers.
You can add medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your Zocdoc account. However, you can only use one insurance plan at a time when searching for and booking an appointment. If you have more than one insurance plan, you can mention your secondary carrier and plan in the notes for the provider during the final step of the booking process. If your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can add your secondary insurance when filling out the forms online.
For more insurance information, visit Zocdoc’s patient help center.
All bookings on Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure!
Prevalence of asthma and other allergies in Virginia
Recent data collected by the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) shows that nearly 661,945 adults in Virginia have current asthma. The percentage of adults with current asthma in the state was 9.8%.
According to a report by the Virginia Department of Health, an estimated 129,316 children living in Virginia currently have asthma. For the 2013, 2015, and 2017 assessment periods, the average lifetime prevalence of asthma in high school and middle school-aged children was 22.3% and 19.6%, respectively. According to the 2015 Youth Risk Behavioral Survey, approximately 19.2% (1,657) of asthmatic students reported to the emergency room or urgent care center.
In 2016, the asthma mortality rate in Virginia was 0.92 per 100,000 people, meaning 1 in every 100,000 people in Virginia died of asthma. Roughly 4,120 people in Virginia were hospitalized due to asthma. Asthma hospitalization rates were higher in females than males. Discharge rates were higher among children aged 5-14 and adults aged 45-54.
According to a Food Allergy and Research Education report, the top five foods causing anaphylaxis are eggs, shellfish, tree nuts, seeds, food additives, milk, and dairy products. In Virginia, claims made for anaphylaxis diagnosis from 2009 to 2016 included 18% for peanuts, 19% for eggs, 14% for food additives, 16% for seafood, and 8% for milk and dairy products.
Sources
WebMD
Healthline[1]
Cleveland Clinic
Virginia Department of Health
Food Allergy Research & Education
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology[1]
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology[2]
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology[3]
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology[4]
MayoClinic[1]
MayoClinic[2]
Healthline[2]
Healthline[3]
Piniella Asthma + Allergy
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