If you’re one of the 24 million Americans suffering from chronic allergy symptoms, you can find relief at Frontline Internal Medicine in Statesboro, Georgia. Ogechi Mbakwe, MD, is an experienced internal medicine physician, offering on-site allergy testing and comprehensive treatment for seasonal and chronic allergies. Dr. Mbakwe and her medical team use a patient-centered approach to identifying and treating hay fever and allergies triggered by the environment, food, and medications. Book an appointment online or call the Statesboro office today.
request an appointmentAllergies are your body’s overreaction to a substance that isn’t harmful to everyone else. When your immune system reacts to these substances, your body produces antibodies that can cause a reaction and produce a variety of symptoms that affect your skin, digestive system, and breathing ability.
There are many potential triggers for an allergic reaction in people of all ages, including:
- Mold
- Food
- Latex
- Pet dander
- Insect bites
Certain drugs can also cause an allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing, a skin rash, and other uncomfortable symptoms.
What are the symptoms of allergies?
Symptoms of allergies can range from mild to life-threatening. When you’re allergic to environmental substances, like pollen and dust, you may experience symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and a persistent runny nose.
Food allergies can cause tingling in your mouth, swelling in your throat, and result in a life-threatening condition, known as anaphylaxis. This condition causes your throat to close, making it difficult to breathe without medical intervention.
How are allergies diagnosed?
To determine if your symptoms are allergy related, Dr. Mbakwe offers on-site allergy testing. She initially reviews your medical history and performs a physical exam. Additional testing may be necessary to rule out other medical conditions.
Diagnosing skin allergies may involve blood work to check for the presence of antibodies. Dr. Mbakwe may also recommend skin testing, which involves painless pricks of your skin with potential allergens to determine how your body reacts.
Food allergies require a careful review of your eating habits and the foods that cause a negative reaction in your body. Dr. Mbakwe may also recommend eliminating certain foods from your diet to determine if your symptoms improve.
What treatment options are available for allergies?
Depending in the severity of your symptoms, Dr. Mbakwe may initially recommend making lifestyle changes to avoid allergy triggers. In some cases, you may need over-the-counter or prescription medications to reduce allergy symptoms like a stuffy nose or itchy eyes.
Dr. Mbakwe may also recommend immunotherapy, a type of treatment that exposes you to allergy triggers in an effort to reduce your body’s overreaction. Immunotherapy uses a series of allergen-containing injections that you receive over the course of several years.
Stop suffering from the symptoms of chronic allergies. Call the Statesboro, Georgia, office of Frontline Internal Medicine or use the online booking feature to learn more.