Good allergy treatment is based on the results of your allergy tests, your medical history, and the severity of your symptoms. Once he targets your allergies, Dr. Bishop will develop a personalized treatment program just for you. This program will help control your symptoms, and stimulate your immune system to improve your health. Your custom program may include some or all of the following: environmental controls, pharmacotherpy, dietary changes, and immunotherapy using an extract custom-mixed for your specific combination of allergies.

Environmental Controls

The best way to prevent allergy symptoms is to avoid your allergens as much as possible and to use environmental controls to eliminate the source of allergens from your home and other environments.

Pharmacotherapy

Drug treatment has long been a cornerstone of allergy treatment. Antihistamines and/or decongestants (for the nose) and bronchodilators (for asthma) counteract the symptoms caused by the main chemical released by the body’s immune system in an allergy attack. There are other drugs, both pills and nasal sprays, which can prevent the release of these inflammatory chemicals or suppress the immune reactions themselves.

Dietary Changes

Repetitious eating is the largest contributing factor in developing food sensitivities. Treatment consists of avoiding the offending food. After a period of time the food may eventually be eaten again on an intermittent basis. Avoidance of these foods alleviates most, if not all, of your symptoms and obese patients may also lose a substantial amount of weight.

Immunotherapy

When it is not possible to avoid your allergens and treatment with medications alone does not solve the problem, immunotherapy can often prevent allergy symptoms. Immunotherapy can be in the form of weekly allergy shots given in a doctor’s office or Allergy Drops taken daily at home. It involves giving a person increasingly higher doses of their allergens over time. The person gradually becomes less sensitive to those allergens. This can be effective for people with house dust, mold, pollen, animal and certain food allergies.

Food sensitivities includes both food intolerance and true food allergy.

Food Intolerance

Food intolerance affects a large percent of the population, but often goes unrecognized.  The symptoms may occur several hours after eating an offending food and the reactions are not always easily recognized.  Symptoms can include: fatigue, gas, cramps, bloating, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, GERD, headaches, food cravings, mood swings, muscle/joint pain, daytime sleepiness, and obesity.  Repetitious eating is the largest contributing factor in developing food sensitivities.

Food intolerance treatment may consist of a combination of elimination and rotation diets.  You and Dr. Bishop will determine which treatment is best for you.  Your custom program will help control your symptoms and stimulate your immune system to improve your health.

Elimination Diet

Elimination of the offending food from your diet is the best form of treatment.  Complete elimination can alleviate most, if not all of your symptoms and can lead to tolerance.  Careless, halfhearted, or partial avoidance can, in some people, lead to increased sensitivity.  It is also best to avoid artificial flavors, colors and preservatives.

Rotation Diet

In a rotation diet, alternate foods are eaten on a rotating basis to prevent the development of new food intolerances.

Food Allergy

A true food allergy has a rapid onset of symptoms that range from tingling in the extremities, coughing, wheezing, nausea and vomiting to hives, a swollen tongue and/or throat.  This can ultimately result in a constricted airway and you may stop breathing.  The reaction occurs immediately or within one or two hours after consuming the offending food. 

Food allergies are treated by total avoidance of the food that caused symptoms and that food can never be eaten again.  The most common food allergies are to peanuts, nuts and shellfish.

Controlling Dust Mites

Encase pillows and mattresses with dust mite proof covers.
Wash linens in hot water every week.
Wash stuffed animals in hot water or freeze in a sealed plastic bag for 24 hours.
Run HEPA air filter continually. Do not use an ionizer.
Vacuum weekly.
Place filters on heating and air conditioning vents.
Replace wool blankets and feather pillows and comforters.
Damp dust frequently.

Controlling Pollen

Use air-conditioning when available.
Avoid hanging clothes outside to dry.
Wash and dry your hair before bedtime.
Wear a mask while mowing the lawn.
Avoid outdoor activities during early morning hours.

Controlling Pet Allergies

Keep pet outdoors if possible.
Keep pet out of bedroom.
Wash the pet weekly.
Wash your hands after petting an animal.

Controlling Mold

Keep humidity in house between 30% and 50% (use dehumidifier/ air-conditioning.)
Run exhaust fans in kitchen and bathrooms.
Clean with fungicide in bathroom, windowsills, basements, and kitchen. (Remember the tray under your refrigerator.)
Clean humidifiers, dehumidifiers and air conditioners.
Limit number of houseplants.
Avoid real Christmas trees in your home.
Wear a mask while gardening or raking the leaves.
Avoid storing firewood inside.
Discard moldy books, boxes, and carpeting.

General Health

Avoid tobacco smoke.
Avoid chemical fumes (perfumes, paint, scented deodorants, cleaning agents, etc.)
Avoid wood fires in the house.

Allergy Product Web sites

www.nationalallergy.com