Hay Fever Specialist
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Premier Allergy Asthma & Immunology, PLLC
Allergy & Immunology Practice serving Scottsdale, Phoenix, AZ, and the surrounding areas
Nearly 8% of children and adults share the sneezing and congestion of hay fever. While some only suffer through seasonal allergies, others struggle with year-round symptoms. At Premier Allergy Asthma & Immunology, PLLC, Kiranjit Khalsa, MD, MPH, has years of experience identifying your allergens and providing customized treatment that relieves your symptoms. To schedule an appointment, call the office in Scottsdale, Arizona, or use the online booking feature today.
Hay Fever Q&A
What causes hay fever?
Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, develops when your immune system overreacts and tags a harmless substance as a danger to your health. Then that substance becomes an allergen that triggers hay fever symptoms.
The allergens responsible for hay fever circulate through the air, causing two types of hay fever:
Seasonal hay fever
Often referred to as seasonal allergies, this type occurs when you have an allergy to the pollen released from trees, grasses, and weeds at certain times of the year. Some types of outdoor molds also cause seasonal hay fever.
Perennial hay fever
Perennial hay fever occurs throughout the year, where it's caused by pet dander, dust mites, cockroaches, and indoor mold.
What symptoms develop due to hay fever?
Hay fever causes:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Congested nose
- Itchy nose and eyes
- Red, watery eyes
- Postnasal drip
- Swelling around your eyes
You may also notice that you have an allergic shiner as ongoing nasal congestion causes dark circles under your eyes.
How is hay fever diagnosed?
Your symptoms may give Dr. Khalsa a good indication that you have hay fever. But the only way to determine your specific allergen is with allergy testing.
Dr. Khalsa does a skin prick test in the office. She puts a small amount of specific allergens on your arm, gently pricking the area to let the substance seep below the surface. If you have an allergy to any of the substances, you develop a minor skin reaction within 20 minutes.
How is hay fever treated?
Hay fever treatment typically begins by creating a plan to avoid your allergen and taking medications to relieve your symptoms. If you don't get better or you already have severe symptoms, Dr. Khalsa may recommend immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy gradually eases your symptoms by exposing your immune system to your allergen. Over time, your immune system gets desensitized to the allergen and stops causing allergic reactions.
You may receive one of two types of immunotherapy:
Allergy shots
Dr. Khalsa gives allergy shots on a regular schedule. At the start, you receive a very low dose. With each shot, the dose increases until you reach a maintenance phase. Then you keep getting the same dose each month until your symptoms significantly improve.
Sublingual immunotherapy
Sublingual immunotherapy consists of a tablet that you place under your tongue. The tablet rapidly dissolves, and the allergen is absorbed into your bloodstream. You take your first dose in the office, then continue taking a daily dose at home.
Don't keep suffering from hay fever. Call Premier Allergy Asthma & Immunology, PLLC, or book an appointment online today.
