More and more people experience allergies, which are a result of the immune system’s response to something it identifies as an invader. While most allergic reactions to things like pollen, certain foods, dust mites and animals are mild or moderate, some (such as bee stings) can be life threatening. Not all allergies have the same symptoms. Some allergies affect the nose and eyes, others can affect the skin, and some can wreak havoc on the entire body. The first thing to establish is do you in fact have an allergy, or is it something else – like an infection. Once we identify that you have an allergy, we’ll test to learn the cause of your symptoms. Common allergic reactions include a runny nose, congestion, watery eyes, chronic cough, headaches, ear aches/infections, skin rashes, as well as tongue and throat swelling. Over the counter medications are often effective in treating an allergic reaction, but it’s important to learn the root cause of your allergic reaction and to work with a physician who can ensure that you are getting the right treatment. In the case of life-threatening allergies, it’s vital that you always carry an EpiPen to avoid going into anaphylactic shock – in the event you experience a reaction. While many medical practices will send you out for allergy testing, we offer in-house allergy testing. Once we have the results of your allergy tests, we’ll develop a treatment plan that will address the root cause of your allergic reaction(s), as well as provide you with medications to abate your symptoms. Please contact us at (818) 464-4870 to set up an appointment.