Could you have an allergy? Millions of people throughout the United States and even around the world suffer from allergies. In short, an allergy is the body’s reaction to a substance. This substance is usually something that most people do not suffer any reaction to, but for some reason, your body does. Sometimes, allergies can be very significant. In other cases, allergies can be very mild and even hard to detect. If you believe you have an allergy or could have one, it is best to schedule a consultation with an allergist to learn more about the risks and the treatment options available to you.

Symptoms of an Allergy

For some people, allergies create very few symptoms. Sometimes, they seem like cold symptoms. For other people, the allergen can create a very significant reaction. Some of the worse allergies can create a life threatening event for you and need immediate treatment.

The symptoms of most moderate to severe reactions include the following:

• Pain in the abdomen.
• High pitched or otherwise abnormal breathing sounds
• Chest discomfort or tightness
• Anxiety
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness or light headedness
• Coughing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Flushing of the face
• Vomiting
• Redness of the face
• Swelling in your eyes, face, tongue or where the contact occurred
• Wheezing
• Unconsciousness
• Palpitations
• Inability to breathe
• Rapid heart rate

If and when a person is suffering from a severe reaction, immediate action is necessary. The first step is to call 911 for immediate help. It is then necessary to keep the person as calm as possible. Many people become afraid, which increases the body’s response and speeds up the reaction. Then, it is important to identify what the allergy was and to determine if there is any type of contact still happening. In some situations, it is possible to remove a stinger to reduce the reaction. Never use tweezers to do this since squeezing the stinger can worsen the venom. In some cases, CPR is necessary. If an individual has swelling in his or her airway, it is very important to seek immediate help.

It can be very worrisome to experience an allergic reaction. If you are at risk for having one, ensure you are taking every step possible to reduce those risks. Call our offices to schedule a consultation with the best allergist in New York City to begin your treatment options and allergy testing.

Call our offices at 212-319-5282 to schedule an appointment.