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What's an Allergy?
An allergy is an abnormal, acquired sensitivity to a given substance, including pollen, drugs, food, venom or numerous other environmental triggers. An allergy is a local or systemic inflammatory response to allergens. Often times symptoms are swelling of the nasal mucosa, itchy burning eyes, sneezing, wheezing, fullness in the ears and various skin rashes such as hives, or anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal reaction.
Conditions Treated
See the full list of conditions we treat, and select a condition to find providers and locations near you.
- Allergies
- Allergy (drug)
- Allergy (insect)
- Anaphylaxis
- Angioedema
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- COPD
- Common variable immune deficiency
- Cough (chronic)
- Dermatitis
- Dermatitis (atopic)
- Deviated septum
- Eczema
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
- Eye infections
- Food allergies
- Hives
- Hypogammaglobulinemia
- Immunodeficiency syndromes
- Itchy skin
- Mast cell disorders
- Pink eye
- Postnasal drip
- Pulmonary disease
- Rash
- Rhinitis
- Sinusitis
- Venom allergy
Allergy Skin Test: What To Expect
Skin testing is the most common way to identify allergies. Your skin testing appointment may include:
- Skin prick test – Applies allergens to the surface of your skin with a small prick or puncture
- Intradermal test – Injects allergens below your skin’s surface
You’ll be closely monitored by your health care team for signs of an allergic reaction after each test.
The tests aren’t painful, and you’ll appreciate our ability to test for many allergens at once. Most allergy testing appointments last 60 to 90 minutes.
If you take antihistamines, you’ll need to stop taking them several days before your skin test. Follow your doctor’s instructions to ensure you get the most accurate test results.
Allergy Testing for Children
If your child needs a skin test, trust us to help him or her feel comfortable. We’ll explain this gentle procedure so they understand what to expect. If your little one is afraid of needles, ask about the option for an allergy blood test.
Get Relief with Allergy Shots
Decrease your allergy symptoms and prevent new allergies with immunotherapy—commonly known as allergy shots. During a “build-up phase,” you’ll receive weekly shots over several months to help your body learn to tolerate an allergen. When you move onto the “maintenance phase,” you’ll get shots less often. Work with your doctor to determine the right treatment schedule for you.
If you’re allergic to ragweed or grass pollen, you may have the option of taking pills instead of getting shots. This is called sublingual immunotherapy. You also may have the option of sublingual allergy drops under the tongue which can treat all antigens.
Care for Food Allergies
A food allergy may be the cause of symptoms such as:
- Hives, eczema, or redness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
- Stomach pain or diarrhea
To learn whether you have a food allergy, you may take skin tests, blood tests, or a food challenge. During a food challenge, you or your child eat small amounts of a suspected allergy-causing food while under close medical supervision.
The best treatment for a food allergy is to avoid the food that causes symptoms. You’ll also learn what to do when you do experience an allergic reaction.
Asthma Testing & Treatment
If daily activities cause coughing or difficulty breathing, see a specialist at Essentia Health for expert asthma testing. Count on us to assess your breathing and diagnose your type of asthma, so you can keep your symptoms under control. Your care plan may include:
- Identifying your asthma triggers
- Quick-relief medications to take when you have an asthma attack
- Long-term control medications to prevent symptoms
- Inhaled corticosteroids
- Injectable medicines, such as XOLAIR® (for allergic asthma) and NUCALA® (for severe asthma)
Meet with your doctor or a certified asthma educator to learn how to effectively manage your asthma