Allergies can cause annoying symptoms like sneezing, sniffling and itching that interfere with your enjoyment of life. But some allergies can prove dangerous, causing asthma or swelling of the throat that inhibits breathing.
No matter your situation, board-certified allergists in the Sutter Health network have expertise in strategies that can reduce symptoms or even modify your body’s response to allergens. Diagnostic measures include skin testing and breathing tests. Traditional treatments include medications like antihistamines, which temporarily block the chemical (histamine) released by your body during an allergic reaction, or corticosteroids, which suppress the inflammation caused by a reaction. Once you choose an approach to treatment, your allergist will provide medication management to ensure you continue to experience positive results.
In the Sutter Health network, doctors also utilize treatment methods that help the body’s immune system adjust to an antigen, reducing or preventing a reaction. Examples include allergy shots (allergen immunotherapy) and inhaled immunotherapy.