Elgin residents can access the most advanced treatment for allergy & asthma relief

Management techniques for a severe allergy or asthma caused by allergens predate World War I, but these allergy shots and medications to control less severe allergy symptoms have advanced tremendously in recent years.

Today’s drugs for asthma and allergic diseases have eliminated most of the side effects of older medications, and the effectiveness of shots (immunotherapy) has improved dramatically.

Board-certified specialists Dr. Noga Askenazi have her fingers on the pulse of safe and effective advances associated with the diagnosis and management of allergic diseases and related conditions, including asthma, sinusitis, and bronchitis.

Allergy Treatment

• Avoidance – After doctors at Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates and Food Allergy Center of Illinois have identified your trigger, symptoms are prevented by avoiding said allergen; for instance, peanuts may be removed from your diet, or a pet may be removed from your sleeping quarters.
• Environmental Controls – Some culprits can’t be avoided, such as notoriously prolific dust mites. Bedding, mattresses, and box springs should be wiped and vacuumed weekly. Ventilating and using dehumidifiers in dark, moist areas like basements can ease pollen and mold related symptoms.
• Medication – An option second only to prevention, you may find relief from your symptoms in an OTC or prescription pill, as well as nasal sprays and eye drops, depending on the type of allergy plaguing you.
• Immunotherapy – If prevention and medication fail, consider a series of shots administered each week or every other week. Containing purified extracts of the allergen causing your reactions, such as mold spores or insect venom, when exposed to small amounts of these substances, the immune system learns to ward off the triggers on its own, naturally. You may no longer need meds as immunity is restored.
• Emergency epinephrine – We may prescribe an EpiPen, adrenalin administered in the event of serious allergies to venom from honeybees, wasps and other stinging insects.

Asthma Treatment

It’s estimated more than half of the country’s 20 million asthma sufferers have “extrinsic” asthma caused by allergies.

Common culprits behind this narrowing and swelling of airways include dust mites, animal dander, pollen, and mold. These substances may be “triggers,” and irritants — causing the coughing, wheezing, and labored breathing characteristic of asthma to worsen.

Along with the above allergy treatments, if you have asthma we may connect you with the following options:

• Quick-relief medications – For example, inhalers may be used for a trigger such as exercise or exposure to cold air. These “rescue” drugs relax the airways, making it easier for you to breathe.
• Long-term control – You may have heard of inhaled corticosteroids or oral medications sold under names like Flovent HFA. Shorter-acting options may not be needed should these drugs work well.

Current research aims to transcend today’s allergy management methods. We may soon have new and improved ways to block the body’s response to allergens, reducing or stopping the histamine released when the immune system mistakenly thinks a particular food or substance is harmful to the body, setting off symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny nose.

Scientific researchers are even working on developing pure, strong, and safe allergy vaccines. You will have access to these most advanced allergy and asthma treatments in Elgin, courtesy of Dr. Askenazi and the team at Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates and Food Allergy Center of Illinois. Relief from your symptoms is a phone call away at (847) 888-8802.

Share this Article