The Anatomy of Allergies

Allergies are among the most common chronic conditions. Symptoms range from a minor irritation to putting you at risk for life-threatening reactions.
“We prefer that you get to the actual underlying cause. Try to control that problem and prevent complications in the near future,” says allergist, Dr. Elvin Mendez, with Lee Memorial Health System.
Allergic reactions actually begin in your immune system when your body mistakes an otherwise harmless substance as an invader.
“Your immune system does not recognize those particles as natural to you, so it’s mounting a response to it to try to rid of it,” says Dr. Mendez.
An allergic reaction typically triggers symptoms in the nose, lungs, throat, sinuses, ears, lining of the stomach or on the skin.
The most common allergen is pollen, but other common allergens include dust mites, mold, foods, medications and insect venoms. Allergies to pets with fur are common and in the U.S., as many as three in 10 people with allergies have allergic reactions to cats and dogs.
“My eyes get puffy, itchy, I’m sneezing constantly and sometimes coughing,” complains Evan Derby.
A skin test revealed that Evan is allergic to his two dogs and his allergist recommended avoiding contact with them; but that’s not an option for Evan.
“I kind of just grin and bear it,” says Derby.
But he doesn’t have to suffer with the sniffles, there are over the counter and prescription medications to successfully combat most allergic reactions.
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Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we’ve been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.
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