What is an Allergy?
The word allergy is derived from the Greek word allegros, which means an unusual or altered reaction. About 15-20 percent of the population of United States develops this unusual reaction to pollen, molds, house dust, animal danders and chemicals. This happens because of the a biological tendency of the immune (defense) system of the body to overreact to these otherwise harmless substances. The body is “overreacting” in an attempt to expel (runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing) substances that it perceives as harmful. This tendency frequently runs in the family.
Because allergies are determined by your genes, there is no complete cure for allergies, but they are controllable with modern treatments.
How are allergies treated?
Allergies are controllable. There is no need to suffer from allergy symptoms.
There are three modes of treatment for allergy.
- Avoidance of allergy-causing agents (e.g., pet dander).
This is very important part of controlling allergies - Medications. Very effective medications, with relatively minor side effects, are available to control allergies.
- Immunotherapy (allergy shots)
Allergy shots are given only when complete avoidance is not possible (e.g., pollen, molds, house dust, animal danders and insect venoms) and medications do not completely control symptoms. Allergy shots treat the cause of the disease by modifying the body’s response at the molecular level and revert it towards a non-allergic state. Medications generally control the body’s response (and therefore symptoms) but do not prevent the response, and therefore are not a substitute for injections. Medications and injections are complimentary to each other.
To get the maximum relief from symptoms, patients often need to undertake multiple measures. A single mode of treatment is likely to lead to incomplete relief.
Q. Why have allergy shots when very effective drugs are available?
A. Allergy shots have the following major advantages over drugs:
- Shots restore the defense system of the body, at molecular level, to resemble people without allergies.
- Shots prevent the development of new allergies.
- Shots prevent the development of asthma in persons with allergic rhinits (hay fever)
- The benefit of shots lasts even after they are discontinued.
Medications do not have any of the above benefits of the allergy shots. Medications help you as long as you keep taking them regularly, usually daily, but the benefits from medications stops when you stop taking them. Because allergies are a chronic (i.e. long lasting) problem, medications will be needed for long time.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO BE AWARE OF THESE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEDICATIONS AND ALLERGY SHOTS BEFORE MAKING DECISIONS REGARDING YOUR TREATMENT.
What is an Allergist?
Allergist is a medical doctor specially trained in Allergy and Asthma conditions.
Training:
Medical School (4 years)
Residency in Internal Medicine or Pediatrics (3 years)
Fellowship (specialized training) in Allergy & Immunology (2 years)
Kulwant S. Dhaliwal, MD has an Internal Medicine background.
Amrit K. Dhaliwal, MD has a Pediatrics background.
Both completed their Fellowship in Allergy & Immunology at the Medical College of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
