Allergies are one of the top causes of nasal congestion and chronic sinusitis. They can even lead to ear infections in young children. As an ear, nose, and throat expert, Dr. Wilson DuMornay provides comprehensive in-house services for allergies at Broward ENT & Aesthetics, including advanced testing to identify your allergens and immunotherapy.
If you experience seasonal or year-round allergies, you can access skilled treatment at the offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, so call or book an appointment online.
Allergies develop when your immune system identifies a harmless substance as a danger to your body. As a result, it produces antibodies that label the substance as an allergen.
Every time the allergen enters your body, the antibodies alert your immune system, and it sets off a reaction, releasing histamines that produce allergy symptoms.
Your allergies could be the result of food or environmental factors, also known as allergic rhinitis.
Allergic rhinitis often causes nasal inflammation, which may turn into a sinus or ear infection. Young children are vulnerable to developing allergy-related ear infections, while adults more commonly develop chronic sinusitis. Patients with allergic rhinitis also have a higher chance of developing asthma.
The classic allergy symptoms include:
Allergic rhinitis develops from airborne allergens, including:
In the early springtime, tree pollens can cause allergic rhinitis. In late springtime, grass pollen is the culprit and, in the fall, ragweed is the most common allergen.
Allergies that last throughout the year are triggered by dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores.
Before Dr. DuMornay can recommend treatment for your allergies, he must identify your specific allergens. He offers two types of allergy testing in-house:
Two types of skin tests, patch testing and skin prick testing, use a similar approach. Dr. DuMornay places small amounts of allergens on your skin or right under your skin, then checks to see if you develop a reaction to any of them.
Often used when a patient can’t tolerate skin testing, blood testing shows the presence of antibodies to specific allergens.
After diagnosing your allergens, Dr. DuMornay can begin immunotherapy. During this treatment, you get a regular dose of your specific allergen, starting with a small amount then gradually increasing the dose.
Over time, your body builds up a tolerance to the allergen, and your allergic reaction is significantly diminished or eliminated.
Immunotherapy is administered in several forms including injections and sublingual tablets that dissolve when they’re held under your tongue.
Dr. DuMornay also offers an alternative to sublingual tablets: allergy toothpaste. This special toothpaste contains a small amount of the allergen, which is absorbed while you brush your teeth.
To schedule a consultation, please contact or call Broward ENT & Aesthetics in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at (954) 368-3348.