Allergy Relief & Testing
What Happens in the Body?
Release of Histamines: For allergy sufferers, exposure to allergens triggers their bodies to release histamines. Histamines are natural chemicals produced by our immune system. They play a pivotal role when our body needs assistance eliminating a foreign substance.
Symptoms Triggered by Histamines: The histamines lead to familiar allergy symptoms like itchy eyes, sneezing, and fatigue. They signal the body’s desire to expel or combat the allergen in question.
Common types of Allergies
- Pharmaceuticals/Drugs: Ingredients found in certain medications can cause a person to have an allergic reaction. Examples include allergies to penicillin & aspirin or other pain-relieving meds.
- Dust, Mold, and Mildew: Allergens stemming from environmental sources like dust, mold, and mildew can trigger allergic reactions in individuals. These allergens can be commonly encountered in indoor and outdoor environments, potentially leading to various allergic responses.
- Food: This can include nuts, seafood, milk, and eggs. According to the ACAAI, it is estimated that 4-6% of children and 4% of adults suffer from food allergies
- Pollen: Those who suffer from a pollen allergy often see their symptoms increase during seasonal changes.
- Animal Dander: Problematic dander is mostly from domestic animals such as dogs and cats.
- Insect Bites/Venom/Stings: The most common allergy in this category is due to bee stings.
- Chemicals: In relation to allergies, these are in reference to environmental chemicals such as pesticides and other air contaminants.
Over-the-counter Medicines & DIY remedies
There are over-the-counter remedies you can try, as well as some at-home DIY remedies.
Over-the-counter remedies include but are not limited to antihistamines, available in many different forms, such as eye drops, nasal sprays, and pills.
- For example, you could take Claritin, an antihistamine, or Flonase, a nasal steroid spray.
Some at home remedies may include
- Use an air purifier: It acts as a cleaner that removes pollen, dust, mold spores, dust mites, dander, and other allergens that could cause a bad reaction. The filters in your air conditioning unit or air purifier must be checked every 30 days and replaced regularly.
- Wash your bedding: Wash your bedding once a week in hot water to remove any bacteria, dust mites, and allergens that may have accumulated on your body and transferred to your bedding while sleeping.1
- Use a microfiber cloth to dust your home: Other kinds of cloth don’t hold onto the dust as well, allowing it to move freely back into the air.
- Use air conditioning over open windows: Sometimes, it’s nice to get fresh air into your house, but when you open the windows, you also open a freeway for allergens to seep inside.
- Use a HEPA vacuum filter: It’s recommended you use a HEPA filter on your vacuum because it will trap extremely small particles that move freely in the air.
Allergy Relief & Testing
To diagnose allergies, the medical practitioners at Midwest Express Clinic may ask you a series of questions regarding your symptoms and lifestyle habits to narrow down the source. Additional testing may be required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common symptoms of allergies?
What triggers allergic reactions?
Pharmaceuticals/Drugs: Such as penicillin, aspirin, and other pain relievers.
Environmental Factors: Like dust, mold, mildew, and pollen.
Food Items: Notably nuts, seafood, milk, and eggs. An estimated 4-6% of children and 4% of adults suffer from food allergies.
Animal Dander: Mainly from domestic animals like cats and dogs.
Insect Bites/Venom/Stings: Bee stings are a common allergen in this category.
Chemicals: Environmental chemicals, including pesticides and other air contaminants.
Are there over-the-counter solutions or home remedies for allergy relief?
Over-the-counter remedies:
Antihistamines available in forms like eye drops, nasal sprays, and pills (e.g., Claritin or Flonase).
DIY home remedies:
Air Purifiers: These devices reduce allergens such as pollen, dust, and dander. Ensure filters are checked and replaced regularly.
Regular Bedding Cleaning: Washing bedding in hot water weekly can eliminate dust mites and other allergens.
Microfiber Cloth for Dusting: These cloths trap dust better than regular ones.
Use Air Conditioning: Keeping windows closed prevents allergens from entering.
HEPA Vacuum Filters: These trap tiny airborne particles effectively.
How can I differentiate between cold and allergy symptoms?
Allergy relief and testing is available at these locations:
Illinois
Aurora
Blue Island
Bolingbrook
Bourbonnais
Burbank
Calumet Park
Carol Stream
Chicago Ridge (coming soon)
Cicero
Elmhurst on Butterfield
Elmhurst on York Street (coming soon)
Lombard
Matteson
Melrose Park
Norridge
Northbrook
Richton Park
River Forest
Skokie
Tinley Park on Harlem
Tinley Park on LaGrange
Westmont (coming soon)
Wheaton (coming soon)
Willowbrook
Indiana
Cedar Lake
Crown Point on Burr & 30
Crown Point on 109th & Broadway
Dyer
Griffith
Griffith next to Walgreens
Hammond on 5th Avenue
Hammond on Sibley
Hobart
Merrillville
Merrillville next to Walgreens (coming soon)
Michigan City
Munster
Portage
Portage next to Walgreens (coming soon)
Schererville
