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You May Need Allergy Testing if You Have These Symptoms

If you’re not sure whether or not allergy testing is right for you, Serenity Health Care Center is here to help. Our team puts the focus where it fully belongs: on full health and wellness as well as tried-and-true holistic methods that help the body to heal itself. Allergies pose a problem for a considerable segment of the population and can seriously hamper your quality of life.

Getting tested for allergies can be the difference between living a full life and one that is overshadowed by common allergy symptoms.

Do You Have These Symptoms?

Hives

Hives look a bit like blisters and can form on any part of your body as part of an allergic reaction. Often they are painless, but they can be itchy and appear rapidly out of nowhere. Hives are a very common symptom of allergic reactions. They generally go away themselves after a certain period of time.

Rashes

Like hives, rashes are common side-effects of your body coming into contact with an allergen. Rashes are sometimes itchy and raised and other times are flush to the skin.

Tingling

Food allergies often manifest themselves in mouth tingles, and you might find that your tongue or lips are itchy and feel funny after coming into contact with an offending food.

Swelling

Allergic reactions can make parts of your body swell up. If you notice swelling, be on the lookout for shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, or dizziness. These could be signs of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that you must seek immediate medical care for.

Anaphylaxis Can Be Life-Threatening

Anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock, is a serious reaction to an allergen and requires medical care and often hospitalization. Your body is trying to fight off the allergen and shutting down in the process. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call emergency services right away:

  • Extreme dizziness or fading in and out of consciousness
  • Trouble breathing
  • Rapid heartbeat

People with severe allergies often carry around Epi-Pens to administer emergency care to themselves. Understanding how to use an Epi-Pen properly and understanding your allergies save lives, which is why it’s essential that you get allergy testing.

Things That People Are Commonly Allergic To

Although you can be allergic to a whole host of different things, there are few elements that people are typically allergic to. Understanding your allergens and triggers will better equip you to be able to live a happy and fulfilled life.

Insects

Many people have insect allergies, and most don’t even know it until they have been stung. Common insect offenders include bees, hornets, and wasps, although you can be allergic to virtually any different type of stinging insect. Many people with insect allergies carry around Epi-Pens because they never know what the severity of their allergy may be.

Pets

Unfortunately, there are plenty of people out there who are allergic to our best friends in the animal kingdom; cats and dogs. If you get the sniffles around common household animals, you most likely have some kind of allergy. The good news is that there are hypoallergenic dogs and cats that allergic animal-lovers can adopt.

Foods

Shellfish, peanuts, milk, wheat, and soy are common foods that people are allergic to. The degree of the allergy will differ from person to person, but it can strengthen over time. That’s why it’s essential to understand if you have an allergy to any foods.

The Danger of Untreated Allergies

Untreated allergies can cause more than just discomfort. If left to their own devices, allergies can cause chronic problems like skin rashes, breathing difficulties, or other ailments. Additionally, some allergies can get worse as time goes on, making them much more dangerous in the long run. It’s better to identify and deal with the allergy instead of brushing it under the rug. It will only exacerbate the situation and become more irritating and potentially harmful as time goes on.

Allergy Tests Are Easy, Quick, and Painless

A fifth of the population deals with allergies. They are, by far, one of the most significant chronic complaints in the country. Fortunately, testing is quick and painless and can usually be done in a matter of a few minutes. Our expert team at Serenity Health Care Center can test you for multiple allergens without taking up too much of your time or putting your body under undue stress. There is no downside to getting an allergy test, but they can improve your life in meaningful ways.

Once you are diagnosed with an allergy, you can start to treat it properly. Knowledge is half the battle. There are plenty of different medications that you can take to combat the allergy, and you can start to avoid encountering it. If your allergy is severe, you can get an Epi-Pen to prepare for the worst-case scenario of anaphylactic shock. Allergy tests can make your life far easier and more comfortable. In some cases, they might even be able to save it.

Natural Allergy Testing

Our expert team embraces the power of natural medicine and employs body-friendly testing as part of our care plan. We use a treatment called intradermal testing to thoroughly vet your body and find out precisely what is causing the allergic reaction. The test is virtually painless and merely requires a short and concise injection right below the first layer of the skin.

You will get your results within ten minutes. Unlike many other types of allergy tests, our version is exceptionally accurate and will give you a clear picture of your health right away. Since the treatment is so rapid, you will be able to get back to your life almost immediately after your appointment. Most people find the treatment to be nearly painless, and there is no recovery time needed whatsoever.

Personal Care and Consultation

We treat every single one of our patients with personal care and consultation. After the allergy testing is completed, we will sit down with you and deliver the results of your diagnosis. Most people develop allergic symptoms right away, but sometimes our patients have adverse effects to the allergens after they get home. If you experience any such symptoms, we encourage you to consult a member of our staff, and we can help you address the problem and adjust your diagnosis accordingly.

If you have any questions before, after, or during your appointment, we are here to help you. Our goal is to increase your quality of life and help you enjoy an allergy-free existence.

Enjoy a Better Quality of Life Today

With allergy testing, you can enjoy a better quality of life today. There’s no reason why you should suffer from headaches, hives, or itchy skin. Learn more about your body’s reactions and take control of your life now. You will wish that you had gotten your testing done sooner and be amazed by how much richer your life can be. Contact Serenity Health Care Center in Waukesha, Wisconsin today!

Allergy and Immunology: 8 Types of Allergies You Should Know

Are you suffering from congestion, coughing, watery eyes, or dark circles? Do certain foods cause your mouth to feel tingly or parts of your face to swell? If you experience adverse reactions to harmless substances, you could benefit from allergy treatment. Many people don’t realize that their symptoms are the result of allergies, or they believe that allergies are just part of life. At Serenity Health Care Center in Waukesha, WI, we provide educational resources on allergy and immunology. Our testing and treatments can help you overcome an allergic response. Here are 8 common allergies that you should know about.

First, Why Do We Suffer From Allergies?

Allergens Trigger Your Immune System

Allergens are foreign substances that your body believes are harmful. Normally, your immune system does a good job of keeping you safe from poisons, toxins, viruses, fungi, and bacteria. While the allergens themselves are harmless, they trigger immune responses that can cause you to feel unwell.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Antibodies Cause Your Symptoms

When your body’s defense system encounters an allergen, it releases immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to put up a strong fight. They send signals that trigger responses such as coughing or hives. While we evolved so that these reactions could help us in the face of real danger, the cure is sometimes worse than the disease. In the case of allergies, your body is sounding a false alarm. Unfortunately, this can cause anything from mild discomfort to a life-threatening situation.
Many people experience:

  • Runny nose and congestion
  • Cough
  • Rashes, hives, and itchy skin
  • Itchy eyes that water and swell
  • Dark undereye circles
  • Tingling in the mouth or tongue
  • Low blood pressure
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Swelling in the face, throat, tongue, or lips
  • Digestive problems including upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Weight gain
  • Fatigue
  • Brain fog
  • Behavioral problems

The Good News About Allergy and Immunology

We Can Treat Allergies

While some people have extremely dangerous allergic reactions and need to monitor their conditions carefully, others only feel mildly inconvenienced. Individuals with less severe reactions sometimes think that they need to live with their allergies, either because they are not aware that treatment is available or because they don’t recognize the symptoms for what they are. The problem is that feeling out of sorts impacts your quality of life. Fortunately, whether your symptoms are mild or serious, allergy, and immunology treatments can improve the situation.

Allergy Drops Provide Lasting Relief

We treat allergies with sublingual liquid extracts that our patients take at home. This method provides controlled exposure to the allergen. First, the patient starts with a very light dose that is too small to trigger an allergic response. Over time, we ramp up the concentration. Doing so teaches the body that the allergen is not dangerous.

8 Types of Allergies You Should Know About

1. Pollen Allergies

Pollen is a dust-like substance produced by plants as part of their reproductive process. It is the number one cause of allergy symptoms among people. Hay fever, for example, is a pollen allergy. The pollen can come from many sources, including trees, flowers, grass, weeds, and other types of plants. It often triggers a seasonal allergic response that repeats annually, when the plant in question produces it.

While a common strategy is to avoid the allergen, this is difficult in the case of pollen because it is so prevalent at certain times of year. You could choose to limit your outdoor activities, but that would mean missing out on a lot of fun. Treating a pollen allergy with drops offers a better solution.

2. Dust Allergies

Even inside, you cannot be free of allergens. Dust can become trapped in pillowcases, carpets, and curtains. It can even build up on hard surfaces. In addition to giving you allergies, dust can aggravate chronic conditions like asthma. If you suffer from a dust allergy, airing out your house and cleaning frequently is a must.

3. Pet Allergies

If you are experiencing allergy symptoms, it can be heartbreaking to realize when they are triggered by your pet. Unfortunately, the dander and saliva of almost all domestic animals can irritate some people’s immune systems. You might be allergic to certain animals and not others. For example, some people cough and get itchy skin around cats, but are ok with having a dog. Many people with pet allergies choose not to get an animal. However, if you already have one, giving it up can be difficult. Allergy drops can treat you and allow you to keep your furry friend.

4. Mold Allergies

Mold and mildew can pose serious problems for people, especially if they are toxic. Mold allergies are more prevalent in the fall, when decomposing vegetation and piles of leaves are present. In your home, mold can grow in the basement, the bathroom, and the walls. If you think your home has a mold problem, you should have it inspected and take steps to remove the spores.

5. Nut Allergies

Food allergies are a huge category, and nut allergies are among the most common types. In particular, many people are allergic to peanuts, and their immune response can be very dangerous. Sublingual therapy can cure a nut allergy over time, possibly removing a serious source of danger. Otherwise, it is necessary to practice extreme avoidance of peanuts, even if that includes some social isolation at meals.

People who are at risk for anaphylaxis need to carry an EpiPen at all times. Even if you don’t have a life-threatening response to nuts, the milder symptoms can have a negative impact on your life. They include swelling, dizziness, digestive problems, and hives.



6. Milk Allergies

Another common food allergen is milk. Dairy products, in general, can also be problematic, including cheese, ice cream, and yogurt. Interestingly, some people who are allergic to other dairy products do not have an issue with butter. People who test positive for a milk allergy can choose to consume non-dairy substitutes, such as almond milk or coconut milk. This assumes, of course, that the person is not also allergic to almonds or coconut.

7. Shellfish Allergies

Like peanuts, a shellfish allergy can be very dangerous. Triggers include shrimp, lobster, squid, scallops, and other marine animals. In its extreme state, an allergic reaction to shellfish can induce anaphylaxis. Other symptoms include fainting, dizziness, hives, eczema, vomiting, trouble, breathing, and swelling.

8. Other Kinds of Food Allergies

Many kinds of foods can induce an allergic reaction. We test for over 50 of the most common triggers. In addition to the ones mentioned above, many people learn that they are allergic to:

  • Wheat
  • Soy
  • Eggs

Finding out that you have a food allergy is an important step towards feeling better and possibly saving your life.

We Provide Expert Care in the Field of Allergy and Immunology

It can be surprising to learn that your symptoms are triggered by something that is harmless to many people, such as dust or eggs. However, advances in the field of allergy and immunology make it possible for us to test you for your triggers and provide lasting relief. Understanding your allergies and taking control can greatly improve the quality of your life and possibly help you avoid dangerous situations.

Contact Serenity Health Care Center in Waukesha, WI, for more information on how we can test and treat your allergies. We can help your immune system work for your body instead of against it.

What you need to know about food allergies and weight management

What you need to know about food allergies and weight management

Many patients who come to our alternative medicine clinic near Milwaukee are surprised when we talk to them about food allergies and weight management. Food allergies may be the culprit behind many of their weight problems. Our team identifies the foods they need to eliminate from their diets with allergy testing and a rotation/elimination diet.

Eliminating inflammation is the key to food allergies and weight management

It’s important to understand the connection between inflammation, food allergies and weight management. When you eat a food that causes food allergies or food sensitivities, it causes inflammation. Inflammation causes several problems. It causes bloating, water retention and other digestive issues. Inflammation also causes insulin resistance, causing your body to produce higher levels of insulin. This can lead to weight gain.

Uncovering your food allergies

Allergy testing is the first step to address food allergies and weight management. Our alternative medicine clinic near Milwaukee offers three types of food allergy testing.

  • Rotation/elimination diet. You will need to keep a food diary to record your reactions as you eliminate certain foods, usually for 14 days. After that, you reintroduce the foods, and if you have an allergy, you will notice adverse reactions and know to eliminate that food from your diet.
  • Oral challenge testing. The tester feeds you certain foods in measured amounts, waiting to see if you develop symptoms. If you do have a reaction, you stop eating that food. This test helps diagnose food allergies.
  • IgG testing. Our practitioners perform IgG testing by taking a blood sample. This test checks for 50 or more food allergies.

Weight management is more successful once food allergies are diagnosed

Once you know which foods cause you problems, you can eliminate them from your diet. Avoiding these foods eliminates the inflammation in the body that is causing your insulin resistance and weight gain.

Our alternative medicine clinic near Milwaukee can help you with food allergies and weight management and individualized weight loss. Contact us for an appointment today and get on the road to good health.

Food Allergies and the Holidays

Tips for food allergies and the holidays

Tips for food allergies and the holidaysAt our alternative medicine clinic near Milwaukee, food allergies and the holidays are a big concern for parents. Holiday celebrations mean more homemade treats, more meals out and more worries. If your child has food allergies, our tips can help you navigate this time of year.

Food allergies and the holidays at school

You might be especially concerned about food allergies and the holidays when your children go to holiday parties at school. It’s important to have a conversation with your child’s teacher about food allergies and ways to keep your child safe.

It helps to provide written guidelines that the teacher may copy and provide to other parents. You can also provide treats that are allergy-safe to ensure that your child will have something they can enjoy during parties. You should also talk to your children about food allergies and the holidays, emphasizing that they should not eat other children’s snacks or treats.

Tips for hosting a safe celebration at home

Hosting holiday celebrations at home can give you peace of mind because you can ensure that the food is safe and has not been cross-contaminated. Cooking at home makes it easy to provide safe food for the celebration. You can place dishes from family and friends in a separate area to ensure that children with food allergies do not eat those foods.

Important information for parents and children who are away from home

Meals eaten away from home raise additional concerns about food allergies and the holidays.

  • You should discuss your child’s allergies with the host, detailing the trigger foods.
  • It helps to offer to assist the host by bringing dishes that are safe for your child to eat or helping to create an allergy-safe menu.
  • To ensure your child’s dinner is safe, ask to make your child’s plate before other guests fill theirs to ensure that there is no cross-contamination.

Food allergies and the holidays do raise concerns, but with proper precautions, families can enjoy themselves and stay safe. For diagnosis and treatment of food allergies, contact our alternative medicine clinic near Milwaukee. Parents can also go to Serenity’s Kitchen to find allergy-safe recipes.

Preparing Your Child for Allergy Skin Testing

3 ways to prepare your child for allergy skin testing

At our natural medicine clinic near Milwaukee, we try to create a stress-free environment for our patients. That being said, we know that parents and children usually experience some anxiety when they find out we need to perform allergy skin testing. We use a method of skin testing called intradermal testing. During this test, we use very thin needles to gently inject diluted allergens just underneath the skin. Prior to testing, we apply a numbing cream to help children with any discomfort they may feel during testing.

We observe the skin for approximately 15 minutes after the injections, looking for reactions such as wheals, which are red, raised bumps that itch. We know that this process can seem intimidating to both parents and children, but our experienced staff strives to make allergy skin testing a minimal-stress situation.

Serenity Health Care Center’s suggestions for preparing your child for allergy skin testing

  1. Prepare yourself.

    You are your child’s advocate, voice and comforter-in-chief. The best way to prepare your child for allergy skin testing is to come to the test prepared with knowledge about what is going to take place and what your child will need from you. Ask questions at our natural health clinic near Milwaukee before testing so that you understand the process. We are happy to explain! Please read all the written instructions, familiarizing yourself about what to do prior to testing to ensure the best results.

  2. Explain the process to your child before testing using age-appropriate language.

    Now that you understand how allergy skin testing works, it’s time to sit down and spend some time with your child explaining the process. The type and amount of information you provide will depend on the child’s age. Timing is also important. The best time to discuss allergy skin testing is the day before or the day of the testing so that the child will not obsess or worry about it for days in advance. Older children may want more detailed information.

  3. Come prepared to comfort and distract your child.

    Our staff has a lot of experience in working with children, and we will help your child through allergy skin testing. We suggest that you bring along any comfort items your child has, such as a blanket or stuffed animal. Also, bring books, devices or other items to distract your child while waiting for the test results.

We strive to make allergy skin testing as stress-free as possible for parents and children at our natural medicine clinic near Milwaukee. If you would like to discuss allergies and testing, contact us.

Allergy Testing

Allergy Testing

When you come to our natural medicine clinic near Milwaukee with symptoms of allergies, we begin by evaluating your personal and family history, as well as the environment in which you live and work. After we discuss your personal history and perform a physical examination, we may suggest allergy testing to help us make a thorough and accurate diagnosis.

How intradermal allergy testing is performed

Our expert health professionals perform a method of skin testing known as intradermal testing because it is more sensitive than the skin prick test, the most commonly performed type of allergy testing.

Allergy testing identifies the allergens that cause your body to produce the IgE antibody, which causes your cells to produce the histamines and other chemicals that lead to allergy symptoms.

During intradermal allergy testing, we inject allergens immediately below the skin’s top surface with a very fine-gauge needle. This usually only takes about five to 10 minutes, and most people find that it is relatively painless. These injections are usually done on an adult’s forearm, and on a child’s back or forearm.

What happens after you receive your results?

Once the injections for your allergy testing are finished, we wait about 15 to 20 minutes to see if your body reacts to any of the allergens. It is important to see a medical professional for allergy testing in case of a severe reaction.

When you do react, you will see a wheal, which is a raised red bump that looks like a mosquito bite. It may also be itchy.

Our integrative medicine health professionals check the injection sites and record which allergens, if any, caused a reaction. We use these results to create an individualized treatment plan for you that may include medications or allergy drops.

Sometimes patients experience delayed reactions for up to 48 hours after the test. You should report redness, swelling or itching to our staff if this occurs after you leave our natural medicine clinic near Milwaukee.

How to prepare for testing

If you decide to pursue allergy testing, our staff will provide you with instructions before the test. We will advise you when to stop taking antihistamines prior to the test, usually three to seven days before testing, as well as when to stop using other allergy or asthma medications you may be using.

Allergy testing is part of the integrative medicine program we offer at our natural medicine clinic near Milwaukee. Contact us for more information about our comprehensive, caring approach to allergies.

When to Have Allergy Testing

3 signs that it’s a good time to pursue allergy testing

How do you know if it’s time to talk about allergy testing for you, your child or family member? The health professionals at our natural medicine clinic near Milwaukee are always here to help you with answers, expert diagnosis and treatment and advice. Here are three scenarios that should prompt you to consider allergy testing.

  1. If allergies are affecting your quality of life, it’s time for allergy testing.

    There are several signs that you may need allergy testing to diagnose and control your allergies.

    • Repeat sinus infections
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Symptoms that interfere with sleep, work or school
    • Failure to control your symptoms with over-the-counter medications and treatments
    • Severe reactions to insect bites
    • Warning signs of asthma – wheezing, tightness in the chest or shortness of breath
    • Symptoms of a food allergy, which need to be confirmed or diagnosed
  2. If you experience seasonal allergies every spring, you may want to be tested in the late fall or early winter months.

    If you find yourself dreading the flowers, trees and plants that bloom each spring, you may need allergy testing. Instead of toughing it out and suffering from the sneezing, congestion and itchy eyes, you may want to come to our natural medicine clinic near Milwaukee for allergy testing while the snow is still on the ground. This allows us to diagnose your allergies and begin treatment before the plants bloom, preparing you for the peak of allergy season.

  3. If you have experienced allergy symptoms from late July through early fall, you may have mold allergies, so spring is a good time to be tested.

    Mold allergies can affect people year-round, especially if they are caused by indoor allergens and toxic mold, but seasonal allergies peak from late summer to early fall, making winter and early spring a good time for allergy testing for seasonal problems. Performing allergy testing a few months before symptoms appear allows us time to make the diagnosis and begin treatment before symptoms reach their peak.

We perform allergy testing year-round at our natural medicine clinic near Milwaukee and encourage patients not to put off the decision to pursue testing. Suffering from allergies is neither necessary, nor good for your health. Contact us today for an appointment.

Allergy Drops

Allergy Drops

Allergy drops, or sublingual immunotherapy, offer customized treatment for each patient based on his or her allergy diagnosis. Our natural medicine clinic near Milwaukee uses the La Crosse Method™ to develop allergy drops for our patients.

What is the La Crosse Method™ and what is its approach to allergy drops?

The La Crosse Method™ is the most widely used in the United Sates for diagnosis and treatment with allergy drops. It’s a comprehensive protocol that provides a convenient, safe, effective, affordable and versatile solution for many people who suffer from allergies.

One of the main benefits to this protocol is that it can be customized to treat both seasonal and environmental allergies. Our allergy drops can also treat patients with more complex allergies, such as mold, chemicals and food allergies, or even associated health conditions such as asthma or eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis.

What are the benefits of treatment with allergy drops?

Other clinics use injection immunotherapy for the majority of patients; however, we choose to exclusively use allergy drops in our natural medicine clinic near Milwaukee. This method offers several benefits.

  • Reduced time spent at your doctor’s office
  • The advantage of taking immunotherapy at home or on the go
  • The ability to treat a broader array of allergies and conditions
  • Reduced need for allergy medications while being treated with allergy drops

How we diagnose allergies

Once again, we follow the La Crosse Method™ to diagnose the patient before we decide whether or not he or she would benefit from treatment with allergy drops. We perform thorough diagnostics. We discuss your environment at home, work or school, and your personal and family medical history. We ask you to complete a questionnaire at your first appointment, which provides us with the essential information we need to make a precise diagnosis. Once we have diagnosed an allergic disorder, we may order allergy testing. Once testing is complete, we can create your customized allergy drops.

The treatment process

Allergy drops are administered by placing the drops under the tongue. First, there is a build-up phase, during which the patient receives the drops in doses that gradually increase until he or she reaches the full strength dose. The build-up phase is followed by a maintenance phase. During this phase, patients take their allergy drops as directed.

Our team is committed to helping patients with allergies achieve a better quality of life through diagnosis and treatment. If you are interested in finding out if allergy drops will help you or your family member, contact us.

Can food sensitivities and food allergies cause weight gain?

Hidden food allergies reach far beyond digestive disturbances, skin rashes and breathing problems. Do you feel bloated, have pain or feel moody after eating a specific food? Certain foods can trigger physical reactions when you have an allergy or sensitivity. Food allergies are often responsible for cravings, causing you to eat more and gain weight.

Hidden food allergies frequently go undiagnosed due to delayed reactions. Symptoms can occur hours to days after a food is consumed.

Hidden Food Allergies Can Cause Weight Gain
Hidden Food Allergies Can Cause Weight Gain



This is why so many people don’t make the connection between the food and symptoms. If you’re following a low-calorie, low-fat diet and still not losing weight, it may be hidden food allergies at work!

The good news is that identifying your food allergies and tweaking your diet can put you on the right track to achieving your ideal weight. Common offending foods include corn, eggs, soy, fructose, lactose and gluten.

These products are in many processed foods, making it difficult to diagnose when you don’t know where to look.

Even if you don’t have a weight problem, you need to know if you have hidden food allergies. Pinpointing reactions to specific foods is the first step in tweaking your diet. While medical tests are often needed to diagnose hidden food allergies, here’s a test that you can do at home.

  • Keep a food diary to record foods you eat and physical symptoms for the following week.
  • Identify potential offending foods
  • Eliminate foods from your diet
  • Add one food at a time back to isolate offending foods

Multiple physical and environmental factors can negatively affect your weight. Read Dr. Muth’s article, “A Burden that’s Yours to Lose” to understand more about the different weight influences.

Serenity Health Care has extensive experience in isolating hidden allergies.

Schedule a consultation here to learn more about what’s preventing you from feeling and looking your best.

Airborne Allergies

Airborne Allergies

Approximately 60 million Americans suffer from airborne allergies

About 20% of the United States population suffers from airborne allergies; however, fewer than 3% of those individuals are being treated with immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is the only treatment that changes your underlying allergic disease instead of temporarily treating symptoms. The immunotherapy we use to treat airborne allergies at our natural medicine clinic near Milwaukee involves allergy drops.

What are airborne allergies?

When your body’s immune system exhibits certain symptoms in reaction to a normally harmless substance, we call that an allergic reaction. Normally, your immune system works to fight off viruses and bacteria, but sometimes the body reacts to a normally harmless substance, called an allergen, and causes the immune system to generate antibodies called immunoglobulin E, or IgE. This signals the body to release chemicals called histamines that cause inflammation.

Airborne allergies are caused by allergens that travel through the air and enter the body through the respiratory system. There are many common household and outdoor substances that cause airborne allergies, including pollen, mold, dust mites, animal, and chemical sensitivity.

Symptoms of airborne allergies

Some airborne allergies cause seasonal symptoms, while others cause symptoms year-round.

  • Sneezing, coughing
  • Runny, congested nose
  • Postnasal drip
  • Itchy watery eyes
  • Itchy nose and throat
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Dark circles under the eyes

Some individuals with allergies also suffer complications, including sinus infections, asthma and bronchitis.

Diagnosis and treatment

We use the La Crosse Method™ when we diagnose and treat airborne allergies at our natural medicine clinic near Milwaukee. This widely used protocol involves a thorough investigation of your symptoms and your history.

On your first visit, we take a very detailed history. We will discuss your family medical history, and ask about the environment in which you live, work and spend time. From there, we perform allergy testing if we believe that you have an allergic disorder.

We primarily treat all airborne allergies with immunotherapy in the form of allergy drops. Allergy drops, or sublingual immunotherapy, is a safe, affordable, convenient method of treating airborne allergy symptoms.

If you suffer from airborne allergies caused by toxic mold, we use a multi-step approach to treatment at our natural medicine clinic near Milwaukee. Your treatment may include: immunotherapy, antifungal medications, nutritional supplements, dietary changes and other treatments that we feel may benefit your individual allergies and symptoms.

Serenity Health Care Center, our natural medicine clinic near Milwaukee, treats a patient by looking at individual symptoms and the changes they are causing in life. We treat the whole person, not just the airborne allergies. If you are looking for an effective allergy diagnosis and treatment, contact us for an appointment.

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