Do you sneeze a lot? Does it feel as though your nose is always stuffy or runny? You may have hay fever, which is a common allergy that affects up to 60 million Americans. Farinaz Farrahi, MD, at Pleasanton Allergy and Dermatology in Pleasanton, California, is an expert in diagnosing and treating allergies, including hay fever. To get relief from your sneezing and stuffy nose, call the office or book an appointment online today.
Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, is a type of allergy that only affects the nose. Hay fever occurs when your immune system overreacts to a substance — called an allergen — in the environment that causes an allergic reaction.
Common allergens that cause hay fever include:
Though not as common, food allergens may also cause hay fever.
Hay fever symptoms generally affect the nose and upper respiratory system. Common symptoms include:
Despite the name, hay fever usually doesn’t cause an elevated temperature. However, people with hay fever may be more likely to develop other health issues like asthma or eczema.
When you come in to see the allergy experts at Pleasanton Allergy and Dermatology for help with your hay fever, you can expect a comprehensive evaluation. The goal of the evaluation is to identify the allergen causing your symptoms.
During your consultation, your provider asks detailed questions about your symptoms and when they occur. They also review your medical and family history and perform a physical.
To determine the allergen causing your hay fever, Pleasanton Allergy and Dermatology offers allergy testing. Your testing may include a skin prick test, intradermal skin allergy testing, or a blood test.
Pleasanton Allergy and Dermatology develops individualized treatment plans to manage your hay fever based on the underlying cause and related health issues.
Your treatment plan may include:
If conservative measures fail to improve your hay fever symptoms or your allergies also trigger asthma or eczema, your provider may suggest allergy shots to desensitize your immune system to the allergen.
In addition to reducing your hay fever symptoms, allergy shots can help prevent you from developing other allergies or related health conditions like asthma or eczema.
To get relief from your hay fever, call Pleasanton Allergy and Dermatology or schedule a visit online today.