Allergies are an incredibly common condition that affects people of all ages. According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, “more than 50 million people in the U.S. experience various types of allergies each year.”
If you believe you might be suffering from allergies, you likely have some questions and concerns you’d like to go over with your allergist. Let’s take a look at a few of the more common questions to help prepare you for your visit.
What Are My Allergy Triggers?
When you first visit an allergist, your most pressing question is probably, “What am I allergic to?” Your doctor will ask about your allergy symptoms and if you’ve noticed any patterns in when you experience them, as well as gather other medical information. They will also perform allergy testing via skin prick or blood tests to properly identify your allergy triggers.
Is It Weird To Develop Allergies as an Adult?
If you used to be able to take a hike through Francis Marion National Forest without a problem but now experience symptoms like itchy eyes, nasal congestion and a scratchy throat when you go, it’s entirely possible you’ve developed seasonal allergies as you’ve gotten older.
While most allergies do occur in childhood, people can develop new allergies to food or pollen or other triggers at any age. This can even happen with things you’ve previously been exposed to and never had an issue with before.
Will My Allergies Ever Go Away?
Some allergies will last a lifetime, while in other cases, it’s a bit more complicated. There are people who are allergic to certain things in childhood that they grow out of as adults, or at least their reactions become far less severe. Similarly, some people seem to have allergies that come and go, meaning they occasionally have a reaction when they come into contact with a particular allergen, but other times they don’t.
While it’s impossible to say whether or not your allergies will stay exactly the same throughout your life, what is important is that you seek proper treatment from your allergist to manage your symptoms and maintain a higher quality of life.
If you have additional questions or wish to schedule an appointment with one of our expert allergists, call Charleston ENT & Allergy today.