Dr. Dean Mitchell

Benefits of Allergy Drop Treatment

Allergic reactions are caused by the immune system overreacting to an environmental stimulus or irritant. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, one half of all Americans suffer from allergies. Allergy doctors often treat patients with chronic allergies through a method called immunotherapy. Immunotherapy works by exposing the body to just a little bit of allergen at a time, allowing the body to develop resistance.

Disadvantages of Allergen Injections

Often, immunotherapy treatment is administered through injections. Although shots are an effective method, they are sometimes inconvenient and a painful delivery method. Immunotherapy through injection requires patients to receive shots every week for several months. Patients must wait in the doctor’s office for at least 30 minutes after receiving their shots, in case they have adverse reactions such as rashes or asthma.

Benefits of Allergy Drops

Fortunately, there is a safer, more convenient immunotherapy delivery method that is just as effective. Allergy drops, which are administered under the tongue, work in the same way, exposing the immune system to a minute quantity allergens. Because there are fewer histamine-releasing cells under the tongue; the risk of a severe allergic reaction from allergy drops is much lower than from immunotherapy injections. Because the risks are so minimal, allergy drops can be taken at home once daily, instead of in a doctor’s office.

No matter where you live, allergies can be a problem, but residents who live near lush green areas or major metropolitan areas are at higher risk. Long Island, with its vibrant city and beautiful vegetation, has an extremely high concentration of allergens. If you would like to take control of your allergies at your own home with minimal risk of outbreaks, contact Dr. Dean Mitchell at (917) 338-3484 for an allergy consultation today.

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Dr. Mitchell Brings you more Great Allergy Tips!

If you’re dealing with symptoms of allergies like gastrointestinal distress and breathing problems, it may be time to consult an allergist. In the meantime, take a look at these links to learn more about possible causes of your symptoms.

• The American Celiac Disease Alliance explores the differences between celiac disease, wheat allergies, and gluten allergies.
• For more information about the various types of asthma inhalers that are available, check out this website.
• Infant food allergies are explored in detail at BabyCenter.com.
• If you or a loved one has severe allergies, you need to be prepared for one of the worst allergic reactions: anaphylactic shock. Read more about this life-threatening condition at this website.

For more than 18 years, Dr. Dean Mitchell has used allergy drops to successfully treat patients suffering from allergies and asthma in the New York area. If you need an allergist, call (917) 338-3484 to schedule an appointment.

Adult Asthma Diagnosis and Treatment

Though asthma appears primarily in children, it can also develop after age 20, a condition known as adult-onset asthma. Several factors make a person more likely to develop asthma as an adult, including the presence of allergies, obesity, and hormonal changes in women. Read on to learn about the ways adult-onset asthma is diagnosed and treated.

Diagnosis

The first step is diagnosing asthma is determining whether it is linked to allergies. To do so, a doctor will perform an ImmunoCap test, which measures allergy antibodies in the bloodstream. Next, he will perform the NIOX test, which measures nitrous oxide in the breath to determine the level of inflammation in bronchial tubes. Pulmonary function tests can also be used to evaluate lung function and levels of inflammation in the bronchial tubes. Additionally, to measure the speed with which air exits the lungs, which can be a critical indicator of asthma, a doctor may have a patient use a home apparatus that measures peak air flow from the lungs. The doctor will also evaluate a patient’s medical history for exposure to environmental irritants and other possible causes of asthma.

Treatment

Above all, patients experiencing adult-onset asthma should take precautions to prevent symptoms by staying away from triggers like cat dander and environmental causes such as dust or pollen. HEPA air filters in the home can help accomplish this. In addition, stress reduction can reduce the chance of an asthma attack. Patients should make time for relaxing activities like breathing exercises, which will also strengthen the diaphragm muscle. Asthma sufferers who also experience allergies may find that treating their allergies also calms asthma symptoms. However, even with these treatments, all adults with asthma should carry an inhaler to deal with sudden, acute attacks.

If you’re experiencing wheezing or difficulty breathing, you may be developing asthma. To evaluate your symptoms, make an appointment with Dr. Dean Mitchell by calling (917) 338-3484. A practicing allergist and immunologist for 18 years, Dr. Mitchell has the experience and expertise needed to help you get relief from your symptoms.

Food Allergy Symptoms

Though fairly uncommon, food allergies are very serious and can produce life-threatening symptoms. In a food allergy, the immune system tags a protein from a food with allergy antibody immunoglobulin E, which prompts the production of histamine, causing symptoms of food allergy. Take a look at the symptoms of some common food allergies: wheat, gluten, peanuts, and milk.

Wheat: Common symptoms of wheat allergy include skin conditions like dermatitis, eczema, and hives. Wheezing and difficulty breathing are also not unusual. In some cases, patients with wheat allergies may experience gastrointestinal symptoms like cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea; nervous system complaints like depression, mood swings, and dizziness; headaches; chest pains; or even anaphylactic shock in very serious cases.

Gluten: While gluten is found in wheat, it is also present in barley and rye. Patients who have gluten allergies can experience abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, anemia, joint pain, headaches, and skin rashes. Celiac disease is a more serious condition in which gluten causes an inability to absorb nutrients, leading to malnutrition and weight loss. An allergist can help patients determine which of these conditions he is experiencing.

Peanuts: In the early stages of an allergic reaction to peanuts, swelling of the face, skin rash, and stuffy nose can occur. If the reaction becomes more serious, it manifests as a drop in blood pressure, wheezing, vomiting, abdominal cramps, convulsions, loss of consciousness, and perhaps even anaphylactic shock. Peanut allergies should be taken very seriously, because repeat exposures make severe symptoms more likely.

Milk: Milk is one of the most common food allergies, causing symptoms like eczema, hives, asthma, wheezing, constipation, and possibly anaphylactic shock. Milk allergies are sometimes confused with lactose intolerance, an inability to digest the sugar in milk; however, this typically causes only digestive symptoms.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should see an allergist to rule out food allergies. In the New York area, call Dr. Dean Mitchell at (917) 338-3484 to schedule an appointment to evaluate your condition and see if allergy drops are right for you.