Many adults and children deal with environmental and food allergies. In fact, South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and southwest Minnesota are some of the most allergenic parts of the country. Dr. Peter Kasznica shares his knowledge on allergies, and how he and the team at Midwest ENT & Allergy can assist in improving your health!
Many adults and children deal with environmental and food allergies. In fact, South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and southwest Minnesota are some of the most allergenic parts of the country. Dr. Peter Kasznica has been at Midwest ENT & Allergy for over 13 years and is board certified in the field of otorhinolaryngology and fellowship trained in otolaryngologic allergy. He took the time to share his knowledge on allergies and how he and the team at Midwest ENT & Allergy can assist in improving your health!
Can I develop allergies at any age?
Yes. Allergies develop most often between birth to 10 years old because the immune system is changing so much. Developing allergies tends to slow down after that age, but is still possible. Allergies can change throughout life.
What are the most common allergens?
Most allergens come from pets, especially cats, as well as dust mites, weeds, and grasses. For food allergies, peanuts and tree nuts are the most common allergens.
Can you outgrow food allergies?
Yes, you can. Between the ages of 8-10 years old, most food allergies (cow’s milk, soy, eggs) for children tend to go away. However, peanut allergies tend to persist as you age, and shellfish allergies can actually get worse as you get older.
How do you test for allergies?
We test in two ways. The first is through modified quantitative testing (MQT) which is a blend of skin-pricks and intradermal testing. We do small pricks on the back to see if a hive develops. If it does, we know there is an allergy. Then we do intradermal testing on the arm, which allows us to determine how severe the allergy is. The second type of testing is called a radioallergosorbent test (RAST), which is a blood test that measures the amount of circulating antibodies to allergens.
How can my allergies be treated?
Allergies can be treated in three ways: avoidance, medication, and immunotherapy. If avoidance and medications, such as antihistamines and nasal steroids, don’t relieve symptoms, then immunotherapy can be used, which includes allergy shots or sublingual drops.
When is the best time to start allergy shots/drops?
Allergy shots or drops should be started in the wintertime when environmental/inhalational allergens are low. As far as age goes, children can start receiving shots/drops around or before 10 years old.
If I have a dog/cat allergy, is my hypoallergenic dog/cat okay to keep?
Yes, you can, but there is still a risk even if they are hypoallergenic. If you think you’re allergic to your pet, it’s important to determine whether it’s actually from the pet or from any pollen or mold they may be bringing in on their paws from being outside.
Does insurance pay for allergy shots and drops?
Insurance does normally cover allergy shots. Allergy sublingual drops are covered more sparingly.
Sioux Falls Woman Magazine
By: Natalie Slieter