With allergy season upon us, you may notice yourself sneezing and sniffling more often than normal. However, allergies come from more sources than just pollen or grass. But how do you know if you have an allergy? Find out with your doctor at West Coast Ear, Nose and Throat in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Camarillo and Oxnard, CA.

Signs and Symptoms of Allergies 
If you find yourself sneezing or itching your eyes more than usual, you could be suffering from allergies. Unfortunately, allergies can develop at any age, even if you have never suffered from them before. Allergies may differ depending on the allergen, but symptoms usually include:

• sneezing
• watery eyes
• red eyes
• runny nose
• clear nasal discharge
• itchy throat
• symptoms which continue longer than two weeks

Diagnosing Allergies
Allergy tests are your best bet for diagnosing exactly what triggers your allergic reaction. A skin test involves placing small amounts of various allergens onto the skin, then scratching the skin and watching its reaction to the allergen. If the skin reacts to an allergen, you are allergic to that particular thing. A blood test looks for the number of antibodies, the body’s natural reaction to an allergen, in the blood to determine an allergic reaction. The results of a blood test take several days to come back from the laboratory while the skin test’s results are immediate.

Allergy Treatment in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Camarillo and Oxnard
Treatment for your allergies depends on the results of your tests as treatments vary with different allergens. Over-the-counter or prescription antihistamine medication helps relieve the symptoms of allergies. Nasal sprays help flush pollen or other allergens out of the nasal cavity. Eye drops can help calm itchy or irritated eyes. Allergy shots administered several times a year help relieve the symptoms of allergies from the inside out.

For more information on allergies, please contact your doctor at West Coast Ear, Nose, and Throat in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Camarillo and Oxnard, CA. Call to schedule your allergy test today!