Environmental Allergies

Allergy sufferers report a variety of symptoms, including:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Wheezing
• Dark under-eye circles
• Hives

If your allergies are seasonal, symptoms will worsen when your allergens emerge into the environment. Any of these environmental allergies can trigger asthma.

An allergic reaction occurs when your immune system produces antibodies to fight an allergen, even though that allergen in itself is not a threat. The most common environmental allergens are pollen, dust, pet dander, mold, and cockroaches.

Pollen
Pollen, a fine yellow powder, travels through the air thanks to the wind, insects, and other animals. Typically, spring brings tree pollen, late spring and early summer feature abundant grass pollen, and fall sees other weed pollens.

Dust
Dust mites cannot be seen with the naked eye. They are microscopic bugs that live in carpet, bedding, upholstery, stuffed toys, and bedding. Dust mites thrive in warm, human conditions, so this allergy may flare up most often in spring and summer but can cause problems year-round.

Pet dander
While exposure to animal saliva and urine can sometimes cause allergic reactions, pet dander (dead skin cells) is the most common source of pet allergies.

Mold
Molds live outdoors and in moist indoor environments. The spores float through the air like pollen, with outdoor levels peaking in late summer.

Cockroaches
Cockroach droppings, saliva, and waste can trigger allergic reactions in some people.

Southern California Allergy knows you deserve to live a life free of environmental allergies. Dr. Schulte has many years of experience and training in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies. She will talk over your medical history and symptoms, and then move forward with testing. Depending on your individual situation, testing may include a skin prick test, an intradermal test, and/or a blood test.

Once we pinpoint the source of your allergies, we will tailor a treatment plan specifically for you. In addition to medication and lifestyle recommendations, we can discuss immunotherapy options. Southern California Allergy offers oral immunotherapy and subcutaneous immunotherapy (allergy shots). For your convenience, our allergy shots can be scheduled using a personalized Cluster Immunotherapy plan that provides faster results than a traditional schedule. Both allergy shots and oral immunotherapy can help decrease your body’s immune response to allergens and lessen symptoms.

Book an appointment today so we can ease the burden of your environmental allergies and get you back to a healthy, productive life.