Allergies
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Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice
Pulmonologist located in Monaca, PA and servicing Beaver, PA
If seasonal allergies or severe food allergies are interfering with your health, Benjamin A. Laracuente, MD, and the team at Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice in Monaca, Pennsylvania, can help. The experienced specialists offer on-site diagnostic evaluations, including skin testing, to identify the allergens causing an immune system reaction. You receive comprehensive treatment, customized to meet your needs and prevent health complications like life-threatening reactions to insect bites or foods. Learn more about options available for managing seasonal and chronic allergies by calling Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice today or using the online booking feature.
Allergies Q & A
What are allergies?
Allergies are your immune system’s overreaction to substances generally considered harmless. When exposed to an allergen, your body produces antibodies to fight against it which results in a variety of symptoms that interfere with your quality of life.
Some of the most common allergy triggers include:
- Mold
- Latex
- Pollen
- Insect stings or bites
- Animal dander
- Dust and dust mites
You can also be allergic to medications or foods.
What are the symptoms of allergies?
People experience allergy symptoms differently, and reactions can range from mild to life-threatening. If you’re allergic to substances in the environment, like dust and pollen, you may develop a variety of respiratory issues, such as sneezing, nasal congestion, or a runny nose.
Other common reactions to environmental allergens include:
- Hives
- Itchy eyes
- Watery eyes
- Skin rashes
If you have allergies to certain foods or medicines, you may experience gastrointestinal discomfort and respiratory issues.
For those with severe allergies, anaphylaxis is a concern. This condition causes sudden inflammation in your airways that makes it difficult to breathe, which is a medical emergency.
How are allergies diagnosed?
The Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice staff offers in-office skin testing, which involves pricking your skin and applying small drops of allergens to evaluate the reaction in your body under medical supervision. Some allergies may be diagnosed with a blood test to identify allergy-triggered antibodies.
The team also offers pulmonary function tests for those who have allergy-triggered asthma attacks, a condition where you experience shortness of breath when exposed to allergens.
What treatments are available for allergies?
If your allergy symptoms aren’t controlled with over-the-counter medications, the Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice may recommend prescription medicines or immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy is a treatment where you receive a series of injections that expose your body to known allergens. With gradually increasing doses, immunotherapy can change how your body reacts to the allergen, reducing the severity of its response.
To prevent respiratory issues or asthma attacks, you may also need inhaled medications to treat your lungs. If you have anaphylaxis reactions, you will need to carry an injectable epinephrine medication that reduces inflammation in the airways so you can breathe while you’re on the way to get emergency care.
Your Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice provider also works with you to eliminate foods that you’re allergic to from your diet to prevent reactions.
Schedule a consultation for comprehensive allergy care by calling Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice or using the online booking feature.
