Ear, Nose & Throat

Environmental allergies involve an immune system overreaction to things that exist in our everyday surroundings, including work, home, and being outdoors. Your immune system produces antibodies to fight an allergen which causes a reaction, even though that allergen in itself is not a threat. The most common environmental allergens are pollen, dust, pet dander, mold, and cockroaches.

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WHAT ARE SOME SYMPTOMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGIES?

Some symptoms of those that suffer from environmental allergies include:

• Sneezing

• Coughing

• Runny nose

• Nasal congestion

• Headaches

• Wheezing

• Dark under-eye circles

• Hives

• Itchy, watery eyes

• Fatigue

If you have seasonal allergies, symptoms will worsen when your allergens emerge into the environment. Asthma can be triggered by any of these environmental allergies.

WHAT CAUSES ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGIES?

Pollen

Pollen, a fine yellow powder, travels through the air thanks to the wind, insects, and other animals. Typically, spring brings tree pollen, late spring and early summer feature abundant grass pollen, and fall sees ragweed and other weeds. In Utah, trees begin producing pollen first, followed by grasses. The worst months for grass pollen in Utah are May and June, followed by mid-August through September.

Dust

Dust mites cannot be seen with the naked eye. They are microscopic bugs that live in carpet, bedding, upholstery, stuffed toys, and bedding. Dust mites thrive in warm, human conditions, so this allergy may flare up most often in spring and summer but can cause problems year-round.

Pet dander

While exposure to animal saliva and urine can sometimes cause allergic reactions, pet dander (dead skin cells) is the most common source of pet allergies.

Mold

Molds live outdoors and in moist indoor environments. Molds, which produce spores that can be windborne just like pollens, can be present spring through fall in Utah.

Cockroaches

Cockroach droppings, saliva, and waste can trigger allergic reactions in some people.

WHAT IS ALLERGY TREATMENT?

Allergy treatment involves medical care of exaggerated or pathological reactions to substances, situations, or physical states. Allergists are experts in treating allergies with ongoing and seasonal treatments including medicine, shots, immunotherapy, and tablets. Allergy testing can help people learn what is making them sick, empowering them in avoidance techniques.

WHEN SHOULD I VISIT AN ALLERGY SPECIALIST?

You should visit a Tanner Clinic allergy specialist for allergy treatment if you find that you are always taking over-the-counter medications for allergy symptoms. You should also seek allergy treatment if your symptoms are not controlled with over-the-counter options. Many insurance providers require a referral to see a specialist. Be sure to check with your insurance to see if you need to see your primary care provider before you schedule an appointment to see an allergy specialist.

If you have recently experienced a life-threatening event such as anaphylaxis, our allergy, asthma, and immunology physicians can provide follow-up care and counseling.

HOW CAN ALLERGY TREATMENT HELP ME?

With the help of an allergist, symptoms usually can be prevented or controlled with a major improvement in quality of life. One of the most common allergy treatments is allergy shots or immunotherapy. An allergy test determines the patient’s allergies, then an allergy shot will be tailored to those sensitivities. Over time these shots can help the patient build up a tolerance or immunity to the things they are allergic to.

Our Providers

Ryan Meacham, MD
EAR, NOSE & THROAT

Layton Parkway

Robert Mellor, MD
EAR, NOSE & THROAT

Layton Antelope A

Bryan Richards, MD
EAR, NOSE & THROAT

Layton Antelope A

Neil Van Leeuwen, MD
EAR, NOSE & THROAT

Layton Parkway

Mattison Collett, PA-C
EAR, NOSE & THROAT

Layton Parkway

Porshia Riggleman, FNP-C
EAR, NOSE & THROAT

Layton Parkway

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Ear, Nose & Throat

WHAT ARE SOME SYMPTOMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGIES?

WHAT CAUSES ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGIES?

WHAT IS ALLERGY TREATMENT?

WHEN SHOULD I VISIT AN ALLERGY SPECIALIST?

HOW CAN ALLERGY TREATMENT HELP ME?

Our Providers

Layton Parkway

Layton Antelope A

Layton Antelope A

Layton Parkway

Layton Parkway

Layton Parkway

Schedule anAppointment

Tanner Clinic makes it easy to schedule an appointment

Schedule an
Appointment