Breathing and Allergies

If you are stung and start to have any whole body reaction such as hives or any respiratory problems, you should immediately use your EpiPen and then go straight to the ER. If you had whole body hives in the pa... continue reading  about  I had a pretty bad reaction to a bee sting a few years back, with hives all over my body. I was prescribed an EpiPen. If I get stung again, do I use the pen right away or wait to see if I have a reaction? After using the pen, should I go to the ER?

When we're talking about reactions to food, most people think any reaction must be allergic in origin. Not true. There are many reasons why one may have an adverse reaction to a food. A few examples: coffee may... continue reading  about  How can I know if I have a lagging reaction to a specific food?

I have always recommended using distilled, bottled, or filtered water for nasal rinses. An alternative could be boiling tap water for at least five minutes. Municipal tap water should also be safer than well wa... continue reading  about  I was alarmed by an article about deaths related to using tap water in a neti pot. I have been using only tap water. Should I change to filtered, bottled or distilled water?

It sounds as though you have done all of the 'self-help' measures you can. I would recommending discussing with your primary care physician or seeking an otolaryngology referral to try other medications that ar... continue reading  about  I've been plugged up for months with allergies. I've used decongestants, antihistamines, and sinus rinses but nothing seems to help. Any advice?

The long term treatment of choice for seasonal allergies is the now over-the-counter nasal sprays, like Flonase or Nasacort. Note that there is no immediate relief from them - they work slowly, over several day... continue reading  about  I struggle with seasonal allergies and take Claritin, plus use a neti pot. This season, I have also had shortness of breath and light coughing, but no wheezing. It's hard to do my usual workouts. Is there some kind of inhaler I can use?

Your symptoms sound consistent with upper respiratory infection rather than allergy. The negative allergy test confirms this. These infections are treated according to symptoms. Medications can include Tylenol ... continue reading  about  For 15 years I've gotten sinus infections in spring and fall. Symptoms include sore throat, fever, nasal drainage, respiratory infection, and rash. I've been tested for allergies (negative). Do you have any idea what this is and how I can treat it?

One of two problems is going on here. Either you have ear wax blocking your ear canal (a condition called cerumen impaction), or your allergies won't permit your ears to "pop", meaning that your eustachian tube... continue reading  about  I have spring allergies and this year I have a plugged left ear, which I'm attributing to this. I've been using the over-the-counter ear wax remedies which have been working somewhat, usually for a day or two, and then my ear becomes plugged again.

This rash sounds like it can be a contact allergy if it recurs. I would worry about an infection if it seeps. Since allergic rashes and infections are treated with completely different creams or even pills, I w... continue reading  about  My daughter has had a horrible rash around her eyes and sometimes ears for the past two years. The rash is not itchy, gets really dry and seeps at times. Do you have any suggestions?

Allergic reactions to dogs can be from anything that comes off or out of a dog. Saliva and the skin that is shed with the fur (also called dander) are the most allergenic parts of both dogs and cats. Fur/hair i... continue reading  about  I often have a light rash after playing with my dog. Are allergic reactions to dogs from their fur, their saliva or something else?