Allergies

Expert Allergy Treatment

Allergies are one of the most common conditions, affecting up to 50 million Americans. If you need help treating your allergies in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island – you can talk to your primary care provider for a referral to an allergen specialist or visit one of our Southcoast Health Urgent Care locations for fast relief. We’re here to help you relieve your allergy symptoms to help you identify triggers, manage symptoms and find long-term relief.

What are Allergies?

We are able to help identify and help you manage a variety of different allergy conditions including but not limited to:

• Drug allergies
• Eye allergies
• Food allergies
• Indoor allergies, including dust, mold and cockroach allergies
• Insect sting allergies
• Latex allergies
• Seasonal allergies like outdoor allergies, including pollen and pine allergies
• Pet allergies
• Skin allergies

The consequences of allergies can range from mildly annoying to life threatening. Unfortunately, allergies usually aren’t curable, but you can learn to manage them, relieve your symptoms and avoid triggering them.

What Causes Allergies?

Experts don’t fully understand what causes a person’s immune system to overreact and cause an allergic reaction. However, they do know that histamine and other chemicals in your body are responsible for allergy symptoms. They have also identified the following risk factors:

• Being a child — allergies are much more common in children than adults
• Having a family history of allergies or asthma
• Having a personal history of asthma or other allergies

Common Allergy Symptoms

Allergy symptoms vary depending on the type of allergy and may include:

• Itchy, runny or stuffy nose
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Rashes and itchy or swollen skin
• Sneezing
• Stomach cramps, bloating or diarrhea
• Wheezing or coughing

Severe Allergy Symptoms

Symptoms may also vary in intensity. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention. Please call 911 or go to your closest emergency room if you are in this situation. 

Signs of Anaphylaxis

Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness or fainting
• Feeling strange or that something bad is about to happen
• Hives
• Loss of consciousness
• Rapid pulse or heartbeat
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
• Vomiting or diarrhea

What to Expect

While your primary care provider or Southcoast Health Urgent Care Provider can help you with temporary relief, you will want to see an allergist specialist to offer comprehensive testing, diagnosis and treatment plans tailored to your needs. They can help with medical history evaluations and allergy testing to help you feel your best.