Allergy

Cooper University Health Care is home to a team of allergists and otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat specialists) who are experts in diagnosing and treating allergies and allergic rhinitis.

Your body normally defends itself against harmful things such as viruses or bacteria. Allergies occur when your body’s immune system overreacts and mistakenly attacks relatively harmless things such as dust, mold, pollen, and other substances that are breathed in, swallowed, or touched.

These substances are called allergens. When exposed to an allergen, your immune system produces antibodies (typically immunoglobulin E or IgE), which can trigger a wide range of symptoms affecting the skin, respiratory tract, or digestive tract.

The most common allergens are:

• Pollen.
• Mold.
• Household dust, dust mites and their waste.
• Animal dander, urine, or oil from skin.
• Chemicals used for manufacturing.
• Certain foods.
• Medicine.
• Feathers.
• Bug stings.
• Cockroaches and their waste.
• Latex.

Causes and Risk Factors 

Allergies can affect anyone, but certain factors may increase your risk:

• Family history of allergies or asthma.
• Exposure to environmental irritants, like smoke or strong odors.
• Hormonal changes.
• Stress.
• In some people, allergies appear in childhood, disappear for years, and return later in life. 

Symptoms

Allergic reactions can happen anywhere in the body, including the skin, eyes, lining of the stomach, nose, sinuses, throat, and lungs. These are the places where immune system cells are found to fight off germs that are in breathed in, swallowed, or come in contact with the skin. 

Allergic reactions can cause:

• Stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, or runny nose, and itching in ears or roof of mouth.
• Red, itchy, watery eyes.
• Red, itchy, dry skin.
• Hives or itchy welts.
• Itchy rash.
• Asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing.

Severe Allergic Reaction: Anaphylaxis

In some cases, a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis can occur. Common triggers of anaphylaxis can include certain foods, medications, insect stings, or latex.  Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:

• Itching and hives over most of the body.
• Swelling of the throat and tongue.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Drop in blood pressure.
• Dizziness.
• Headache.
• Stomach cramps, nausea, or diarrhea.
• Shock.
• Loss of consciousness.

Some people who are aware of their potential for serious allergic reactions carry an epinephrine auto-injector (such as an EpiPen®) to treat symptoms immediately.

Diagnosing Allergies

If you or your child has allergy symptoms, a Cooper allergist may recommend:

• Skin testing: A small amount of allergen is applied to the skin (via scratch or injection) to check for a reaction.
• Blood testing: A blood sample is tested for specific IgE antibodies to identify allergic triggers.

Treatment Options 

Treatment depends on your age, overall health, tolerance for certain medications, how severe your symptoms are, and your personal preferences. Treatment for allergies may include:

• Allergy shots (immunotherapy): A long-term treatment that helps reduce sensitivity to allergens over time; ideal for those with environmental allergies or stinging insect allergies. Since it can take six to 18 months for allergy shots to become effective, you may need to take allergy medications in the meantime.
• Allergy medications: Such as steroid nasal sprays, antihistamines, decongestants, and other medications for allergic rhinitis

Preventing Allergic Reactions

Prevention is also an important part of managing allergies. Tips for avoiding exposure to substances that trigger your allergies include:

• Staying indoors when the pollen count is high and on windy days.
• Dust-proofing your home, particularly the bedroom.
  • When possible, remove carpeting, Venetian blinds, down-filled blankets or pillows, closets filled with clothes.
  • Wash bedding, curtains, and clothing often in hot water to get rid of dust mites.
  • Keep bedding in dust covers when possible.
• Using air conditioning instead of opening the windows.
• Putting a dehumidifier in damp parts of the home, but remember to clean it often.
• Wearing face masks when working in the yard.
• Going on vacation by the beach during the heaviest part of the pollen season.

Why Choose Cooper for Your Allergy Care

At Cooper, our team of expert allergists and specialists provide comprehensive, compassionate care for adults and children with allergies – from diagnosis through long-term management. Patients trust us for our allergy care because of our:

• Advanced diagnostic and treatment options: We offer the latest allergy testing methods and a full range of treatment options, including immunotherapy (allergy shots), medications, and prevention strategies.
• Specialized expertise: Our board-certified allergists and fellowship-trained otolaryngologists work together to manage even the most complex allergic conditions.
• Collaborative, personalized care: We take the time to understand your symptoms and triggers, and tailor a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle and needs.
• Commitment to medical education and research: As part of South Jersey’s only academic health system, our team is involved in advancing allergy care through research and teaching, ensuring patients benefit from the most up-to-date knowledge and innovations.