Could I Have an Undiagnosed Allergy?

Allergies are widespread, and their symptoms can also be mistaken for the common cold or occasional rash. At South Coast Ear, Nose, and Throat, Dr. Leslie Berghash, Dr. John Lanza, and Dr. Camysha Wright see patients in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, and Okeechobee, FL, helping to diagnose their allergies using allergy testing and offer effective treatment.

What is an Allergy?

When you have allergies, your immune system responds to an unharmful substance as if it is harmful. These foreign substances are known as allergens and include certain foods, pollen, and pet dander. So naturally, your immune system thinks it's doing its job by fighting harmful pathogens because it thinks the body is in danger.

Different allergens also cause the body to respond in different ways. For example, some allergens cause inflammation, sneezing, and other symptoms. Luckily, allergies are very common with many available treatment options.

Symptoms of Allergies

The symptoms of allergies depend on several factors, including what type of allergy it is and how severe. Sometimes, even medications cannot relieve all your symptoms, but they can reduce their intensity.

Food Allergy Symptoms

Sometimes, it takes time before a person realizes they have a food allergy. On the other hand, if it is a severe allergy, they will have a severe instant reaction that requires immediate medical attention. Some food allergy symptoms include:

  • Swelling
  • Hives
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Patients may experience symptoms only seasonally. Seasonal allergy symptoms can mimic those of hay fever or a cold and include:

  • Congestion
  • Runny nose
  • Swollen, itchy, and water eyes

Many times, you can manage these symptoms with over-the-counter treatments.

Severe Allergy Symptoms

When you suffer from a severe allergy, the allergy response is known as anaphylaxis, and it is a life-threatening emergency. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Labored breathing
  • Lightheadedness
  • Throat closing
  • Tongue swelling
  • Loss of consciousness

You see anaphylactic reactions often with severe food and medication allergies. These require administration of epinephrine to reverse the allergic response.

Skin Allergies

Skin allergies are a direct result of exposure to an allergen. Types of skin allergies include:

  • Rashes: Areas of skin irritated, red, itchy, and swollen.
  • Eczema: Patches of skin become inflamed, causing itching and bleeding.
  • Hives: Red, itchy, and raised welts on the skin.

Causes of Allergies

Dr. Berghash, Dr. Lanza, and Dr. Wright of South Coast ENT have offices in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, and Okeechobee, FL, and offer allergy testing to determine the cause of your allergy symptoms.

Allergy testing tests for many different allergens and include:

  • Animal dander
  • Drugs
  • Foods
  • Insects
  • Mold
  • Plants
  • Latex

If you think you may have allergies, call South Coast Ear, Nose, and Throat today at their Port St. Lucie office (772-398-9911), Fort Pierce office (772-464-6055), or Okeechobee, FL, office (863-357-7791) to make an appointment for allergy testing with Dr. Berghash, Dr. Lanza, or Dr. Wright today.