The Allergic Patient Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy Associates P.S. of Puyallup

Allergies and Allergens NW Allergy Center of Puyallup

Allergies can be defined as sensitivity to substances, which are ordinarily harmless to most people. When a susceptible person is exposed to materials, which he/she is sensitive, they can develop signs and symptoms of an allergy in any part of the body. The illness of the allergic individual can be mild, such as a light attack of hay fever or hives or can be very severe, such as an asthma attack, an extensive rash or complete collapse. As Otolaryngology, we confine our therapy to the allergy as it affects the ear, nose, and throat.

    Agents which produce an allergy are called allergens. They can reach the body by being inhaled (inhalants), swallowed (food), touched (contactants), or injected (vitamins and medications). The body absorbs the allergen where tissues manufacture special substances called antibodies, which react with allergens upon subsequent exposures. This produces an irritation in various parts of the body such as the ears, nose, throat or chest.

    The variety of substances to which an individual can become sensitized to is almost endless. Sensitivity usually occurs only after repeated exposures. Since allergic patients are often sensitive to more than one allergen, the problem of treating the allergic individual may be a very complex one.