Allergies
Family Practice located in Montgomery Village, MD
Ongoing itchy eyes, sneezing, and nasal congestion are symptoms of allergies that you don’t have to live with. At Toseg Medical Center in Montgomery Village, Maryland, certified registered nurse practitioner Olukemi Ogunmakinwa, CRNP, and her exceptional staff offer allergy testing and treatment to help relieve your symptoms. Call the office to schedule an evaluation or use the online booking tool today.
Allergies develop when your immune system reacts to common substances that don’t bother most people. Your body might identify pollen, pet dander, bee venom, or other common allergens as harmful. The symptoms of allergies vary from mild to severe and even life-threatening. Call the Toseg Medical Center office at the first sign of a problem.
Common allergy symptoms include:
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction and a medical emergency. It can lead to nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, severe shortness of breath, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and even loss of consciousness.
The cause of allergies isn’t entirely clear, but common risk factors include family history of allergies and having asthma.
Examples of allergens, or substances that can cause allergic reactions, include:
Tree nuts, peanuts, soy, fish, shellfish, eggs, milk, and wheat are some of the most common food allergens.
The different types of allergy testing include skin prick tests, patch testing, and blood tests. During skin prick testing, your primary care specialist pricks your skin with tiny amounts of potential allergens and looks for signs of an allergic reaction. Patch testing involves wearing patches on your skin, rather than pricking the skin, and checking for signs of a reaction.
Depending on the type of allergies you have, your Toseg Medical Center provider may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
Avoiding latex, some medications, certain foods, pet dander, mold, and other potential allergens reduces your chance of having an allergic reaction.
Taking oral medicines or using nasal sprays and eye drops can diminish unpleasant allergy symptoms and help you breathe easier.
Allergy shots expose you to increasing amounts of allergens over time to help your body build a tolerance to them and reduce symptoms.
Emergency epinephrine is a shot you give yourself in the case of a severe allergic reaction to reduce life-threatening symptoms until you’re able to receive medical attention.
If you have asthma in addition to allergies, the Toseg Medical Center specialists offer inhalers and other treatments that help you get a full breath of air.
To get screened or treated for allergies, call the Toseg Medical Center office or use the online booking feature today.