Allergy & Asthma Treatment in Elgin, IL

Backed by a National Brand with Over 40 years of Experience

Allergy and asthma problems often go hand in hand, and unfortunately, here in Elgin, there is no shortage of allergy and asthma triggers. For this reason, people in Elgin need access to affordable and effective allergy and asthma treatment services they can count on.

Backed by a national brand with more than four decades of experience, our team at Allergy Partners of Elgin has the knowledge and skills to help you overcome your allergy or asthma problems. We provide personalized allergy and asthma treatment services to our patients. This has enabled us to help countless people in Elgin and its surrounding communities get control of their allergies or asthma and finally find the relief they need.

Give us a call at (847) 641-2654 to schedule an allergy & asthma treatment appointment today.

Signs You Have Asthma

Symptoms can vary from person to person, but some of the most common signs of asthma include:

• Shortness of Breath – A feeling that you can't catch your breath is a common symptom of asthma. It may come on suddenly or gradually and may feel like you can't take deep breaths. Shortness of breath can be severe during an asthma attack, which requires immediate medical attention.
•  Wheezing – Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound that occurs during breathing when the air passages in the lungs are narrowed. This sound is typical of asthma and is often heard when exhaling, though it can be present when inhaling as well.
• Coughing – A chronic cough that won't go away, especially at night, can be a sign of asthma. This cough may be worse during exercise, laughing, or a cold.
• Chest Tightness – Many patients with asthma describe a tightness in their chest, which can feel like something is squeezing or sitting on your chest.

These signs can vary in severity. Some people may experience them daily, while others may only have symptoms during asthma attacks or when they are exposed to asthma triggers, such as:

• Allergens – Common allergens include dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and mold.
• Irritants – These can include smoke, strong odors, or air pollution.
• Respiratory infections – One of the best examples of this is the common cold.
• Physical activity – This involves physical activity triggering an asthma attack or asthma symptoms. It is sometimes referred to as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction or exercise-induced asthma.
• Weather – Cold air, changes in weather, or extremely dry or humid air can cause people to experience asthma symptoms.
• Medications: Certain medications can trigger asthma, including aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Understanding and avoiding these triggers can be a critical part of managing asthma.

Our Asthma Treatment Services

Allergy Partners of Elgin provides effective and personalized asthma treatment services, including:

• Treating Underlying Conditions – There are medical conditions that can exacerbate asthma symptoms, including obesity, heartburn/acid reflux, viral infections, and sinus problems. We can help our patients address these conditions so that they can get their asthma under control.
• Immunotherapy – Immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, can help reduce the sensitivity of a person’s lungs to airborne allergens. When a person’s lungs are overly sensitive to airborne allergens, it can result in their airways becoming inflamed, which can exacerbate asthma symptoms.
• Avoidance – If a person undergoes allergy testing, it can help them learn what their asthma triggers are. Once a person knows what their triggers are, they may be able to simply avoid them, which will enable them to experience far fewer asthma symptoms.
• Medications – There are two categories of asthma medications. The first is quick relief/rescue medications. Quick relief/rescue medications dilate a person’s airways to relieve the symptoms of an asthma attack. The second is controller therapy. Controllers are taken daily. They help reduce the inflammation that contributes to asthma symptoms and attacks.

Common Allergy Triggers & Symptoms

There are a variety of items that can trigger a person’s allergies, including:

• Pollen
• Peanuts
• Mold
• Eggs
• Dust Mites
• Milk
• Pet Dander
• Shellfish

Allergy symptoms commonly caused by these triggers are:

• Runny or Blocked Nose
• Itchy or watery Eyes
• Sneezing
• Hives
•  Anaphylaxis

Allergy Treatment Services We Offer in Elgin, IL

Allergy Partners of Elgin offers the following allergy treatment services in Elgin:

• Allergy Shots – Allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, work by gradually exposing the body to minute amounts of the allergen, thereby helping to build up immunity or tolerance. Over time, this process reduces the severity of allergic reactions, potentially leading to lasting relief from allergy symptoms. This method of treatment can be especially effective for individuals suffering from severe allergies, where traditional medications fail to provide adequate relief.
• Medications – For allergy sufferers, several types of medication can provide relief from symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and congestion. Antihistamines are widely used to counteract the effects of histamine, the substance your body produces in response to an allergen. Nasal corticosteroids are another effective option, offering long-term relief by reducing inflammation in the nasal passages. For those who experience severe reactions, leukotriene receptor antagonists work by blocking the action of certain chemicals involved in the body's allergic response. Additionally, decongestants can offer temporary relief from nasal congestion, although they are not recommended for long-term use.
• Biologics – Biologics, a cutting-edge category of medication, can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with severe allergy problems. These medications target specific parts of the immune system that contribute to allergic reactions, effectively reducing the frequency and severity of allergy symptoms. For those who experience debilitating allergies, biologics offer a tailored approach to treatment, focusing on the underlying causes rather than just managing symptoms, paving the way for more personalized and effective allergy management strategies.
• Food Allergy Risk Reduction – Food Allergy Risk Reduction (FARR) was developed by Richard Wasserman, MD, PhD of Allergy Partners of North Texas. This allergy treatment method is designed to treat children under the age of one who are suspected of being allergic to foods (peanuts, eggs, milk, et cetera). FARR involves the children being skin tested to see if they’re allergic to the food. If the skin test results are negative or only mildly positive, the kids are challenged with the food. If challenging the kids with the food yields no reaction, then the children are fed a specified amount of the food three times a week. Feeding the kids the food can reduce the chances they’ll develop an allergy to it, which is the ultimate goal of the FARR treatment method.
• Food Oral Immunotherapy – Food oral immunotherapy (OIT) is a medical treatment designed to increase tolerance to specific foods that trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. This process involves gradually administering increased amounts of the food under strict medical supervision, aiming to desensitize the patient's immune system over time. The ultimate goal is to reduce the severity of allergic reactions or potentially eliminate the allergy altogether, thereby improving the quality of life for those with food allergies.

Reach Out to Our Allergy & Asthma Treatment Team Today to Get Started

Don’t continue to suffer unnecessarily because of your allergies or asthma. Allergy Partners of Elgin is here to help you get your asthma under control and find allergy relief.

Call Allergy Partners of Elgin at (847) 641-2654 to begin your allergy and asthma treatment journey.