Allergies

Allergies are a response to the environment around you. Chemicals get released into the bloodstream and trigger symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, and a runny nose. When bacteria and germs enter your body, your immune system attacks these substances. Allergies come from the immune system responding in an overprotective way to a harmless substance. Antibodies are produced whenever your body encounters allergens. These antibodies trigger the release of histamines which is a chemical that is responsible for the symptoms of allergies.

Learn More About…

Dr. Preeti Vemuri

Dr. Preeti Vemuri is Board Certified in Allergy and Immunology from Northwestern University. She tackles issues of allergies, asthma, dermatitis, immunodeficiencies, and hives. Dr. Vemuri exhibits a great passion for her work and for her patients.

“Have fun & breathe again.”

Eric
Allergy Patient

Asthma

Although manageable with treatment, asthma causes a person’s airways to become inflamed making it difficult to breathe. Lasting for years or for life, asthma can cause major discomfort for those who suffer.

1 in 3 Americans are diagnosed with asthma yearly.

What Causes an Asthma Attack?

Common causes or triggers of an asthma attack:

  • Seasonal Allergies such as pollen, pets, mold and dust
  • Upper respiratory infections, such as a sinus infection or the common cold
  • Tobacco Smoke
  • Cold Weather
  • Stress

Daily activities, such as exercise or spending time outside can become challenging for those who suffer with asthma.

Treatments

To provide symptom relief, a quick-relief inhaler can be prescribed. Along with an inhaler, it is common to use a nebulizer. Every patient and treatment plan is different. Here at ENTCC, we will find an asthma treatment plan that fits the patient’s life.

Dermatitis

The term dermatitis is used to describe a skin irritation. Dermatitis is not contagious, but it is very common and can cause discomfort to those who suffer from it.

How is Dermatitis Diagnosed?

After examining your skin and discussing all symptoms, it is common for a doctor to use a patch test. During a patch test, a doctor will administer different potential allergens and observe the skin’s reactions to properly observe and treat the situation

Symptoms and Treatment

For those experiencing symptoms of dermatitis, patients will experience itchy, dry skin rash commonly paired with reddened skin. Once diagnosed, treatments include medications such as ointments, creams and shampoos.

Drug Allergies

Even though drugs are prescribed to fix the symptoms of the patient, allergic reactions to drugs are common and can cause life-threatening effects. Regardless of pill, liquid, or injectable form, a patient can experience an abnormal immune response to medication.

What Are Common Drugs That Trigger Allergic Reactions?

Allergies, although unique to individuals, tend to show up with certain medications when administered.

These common medications include:

  • Penicillin
  • Antibiotics
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Aspirin
  • Chemotherapy drugs

Symptoms

The symptoms of an allergic reaction can vary and can cause confusion for a patient. Currently, the best way to discover abnormal immune responses to medication is seeing an allergist.

Common Symptoms of Drug Allergies Include:

  • Rash or Hives
  • Wheezing or Coughing causing breathing problems
  • Swelling
  • Anaphylaxis

Treatments

After testing, the best treatment for drug allergies is to avoid the medication in the future. If you are a new patient, always inform your provider of any known drug related allergies.

Food Allergies

Described as an immune response to certain foods that are eaten, a food allergy can cause severe reactions that can be life threatening. Even though food allergies are common, the cause of a food allergy is unknown. Commonly, a child can experience a food allergy and then outgrow the allergy in adulthood.

Peanuts are the most common food allergen.

What are Common Foods that Trigger Allergic Reactions?

Although every case is unique, there are certain foods that commonly cause reactions in children and adults:

  • Milk/Dairy
  • Eggs
  • Peanuts or Tree nuts
  • Soy
  • Wheat
  • Fish or Shellfish

Symptoms Of Food Allergies

Usually self-diagnosable, a person who suffers from a food allergy can experience:

  • Pain in the abdomen
  • Hives or Rashes
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea or Vomiting
  • Swollen Airways
  • Anaphylaxis

Treatments

Treatments for food allergies include common antihistamine drugs to treat mild symptoms. For more severe reactions, an injection of epinephrine is administered to the person who ingested the food to prevent the closing of airways. After an epinephrine shot medical attention is needed to avoid long term damage.

Hay Fever / Allergic Rhinitis

Hay fever/Allergic Rhinitis can be seasonal, commonly seen in spring.

Ordinarily, caused by allergic reactions to pollen or dust, hay fever/allergic rhinitis can cause sneezing, runny nose, along with itchy eyes.

Other common symptoms:

  • Congestion
  • Stuffy Nose
  • Coughing
  • Fatigue

Treatments

Often Hay Fever/Allergic Rhinitis are treated through:

  • Prescribed Steroids
  • Antihistamine
  • Decongestant
  • Bronchodilator
  • Anti-inflammatory

Hives

“Dr. Vemuri is my favorite doctor EVER!

Katrina
Hives Patient

Although many cases will be resolved in a relatively short amount of time, hives can cause major discomfort in patients. Commonly, hives are self-diagnosable, yet it is not unusual to need medications to reduce the symptoms.

What Causes Hives?

This uncomfortable skin reaction can be caused by many different things.

Common causes of hives include:

  • Pain Medications
  • Insects or Parasites
  • Infections
  • Stress
  • Heat or Cold
  • Sunlight

Symptoms

Chronic Hives have symptoms that vary depending on the location of hives on the body and the cause.

Symptoms of hives include:

  • Red or Skin-Colored Welts
  • Itching (can be severe)
  • Painful Swelling

Treatment

Hives can be treated at home by using a cold compress to reduce swelling. Your doctor can prescribe medications that can further reduce swelling, itching, and burning.

Immunodeficiency

When the body fails to protect itself from an infection or foreign substance it is considered an immunodeficiency disorder. This disorder causes infections and other health issues to occur and take over the body easier.

What Are Immunodeficiency Disorder Symptoms?

Many of the symptoms vary based on the diagnosis of an immunodeficiency disorder. Based on the immunodeficiency disorder, your doctor will create a plan to maintain health and energy.

Typical signs and symptoms of immunodeficiency disorders:

  • Reoccurring pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus or ear infections, or meningitis
  • Internal organ infections
  • Low platelet counts in blood or anemia
  • Digestive cramping
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea

Treatment

After being diagnosed with an immunodeficiency disorder, the goal of your doctor is to maintain your help and they do this by creating a plan to treat and prevent the infections that come along with immunodeficiency disorders. Once the symptoms are controlled by medication, the patient can make life style changes such as consistent diet and activity to maintain health.

Indoor & Outdoor Allergies

“Committed to my BEST health.”

Jeff
Allergy Patient

Allergies found indoors and outdoors are extremely common, and can cause discomfort to those who suffer from them. An allergen can be anything that is foreign to the body that causes a reaction, and many allergens are unique to the individual.

Indoor Allergy Triggers

Almost all houses contain foreign substances that can trigger an allergic response, so it is good to identify the common causes.

Indoor Allergens can include:

  • House Dust
  • Mold Spores
  • Pollen
  • Fabrics
  • Cats or Dogs
  • Houseplants
  • Cockroaches

Outdoor Allergy Triggers

Once outside, there is a whole new world of potential allergens that can cause discomfort in ones chest or sinuses.

A common list of Outdoor Allergens:

  • Pollen
  • Grass
  • Elder, Elm and Maple Trees
  • Blooming Seasons

Symptoms

Although very common, symptoms and triggers may vary slightly from person to person.

The most common symptoms include:

  • Runny Nose
  • Itchy Eyes
  • Sneezing
  • Stuffy Nose
  • Scratchy Throat

Be Prepared for your Appointment

Your appointment will consist of a complete history and allergy testing in most cases. This can take 60 to 90 minutes. If you are coming to the office and need allergy testing please stop any antihistamine medications for 72 hours. (ONLY stop taking antihistamines medications, continue any other medications as prescribed. See the list below of antihistamine medications.)

Do not stop any medication if you have active hives, rashes, swelling, or have been in the ER for any of these issues.

Continue all medications (including any antihistamines) you are using to control these conditions. Allergy evaluation and testing is still possible.

 

What To Bring

  • If you have been previously tested for allergies or had a recent emergency room visit, please bring these records with you.
  • Previous medical records are very important to us. Please bring a list of your current medications and dosages or if unsure bring in all your bottles for recording.
  • Bring all your inhalers and spacers with you.

Medications to Stop Taking

  • Xyzal (levocetirizine)
  • Clarinex (desloratadine)
  • Zyrtec (cetirizine)
  • Allegra (fexofenadine)
  • Claritin (loratadine)
  • Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • Any other over the counter allergy, cough, cold or sinus medication

DO NOT Stop Taking These Medications

  • Any inhalers for asthma
  • Singular (montelukast)
  • Accolate (zafirlukast)
  • Medications for other medical problems like hypertension or diabetes