The DC area is full of allergens which are common triggers for allergy symptoms for many of its residents and visitors. If you suffer from allergy symptoms, a skilled Washington, DC allergy doctor may be just what you need. One should first know that Washington, DC was built on a swamp. It also has a climate that is high in humidity. These factors are very favorable for the production of an abundance of mold, a common and often a powerful allergen that causes a variety of allergic symptoms in sensitized individuals.
In addition, the Washington, DC metropolitan area produces very high tree and grass pollen counts in the Spring and high ragweed and other weed pollen counts in the late Summer and Fall. While there are numerous allergens that may affect you while you are outdoors, you might also be allergic to indoor allergens that are common in the Washington, DC area. Some of these indoor allergens include dust mites, molds, cockroaches, pets, and feathers. Ask any Washington, DC allergist: irritants in the Washington, DC area can also affect individuals in much the same way an allergen affects them. The “allergy symptoms” from an irritant (e.g., cigarette smoke, perfumes, detergents and other strong scents, newspaper print, air pollution, fumes) may be the same as the symptoms when an allergic individual is exposed to an allergen. However, in people that are bothered by irritants, there is not an immunologic reaction to a particular irritant like there is with an allergen, but the end result of feeling terrible when exposed to the irritant is the same. If you suffer the symptoms of allergies, it is important that you have a consultation with a board certified allergy doctor in the Washington, DC area in whom you can trust.
Different people respond to the same allergen in different ways. Not everyone who is allergic to a particular allergen develops the same symptoms. The following are some classic symptoms that individuals may exhibit when exposed to an allergen:
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Post-nasal drip
- Sinus pain
- Sinus congestion
- Sinus pressure
- Itchy nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy throat and/or roof of the mouth
- Sore throat
- Watery eyes
- Itchy eyes
- Redness of the eyes
- Itchy ears
- Clogged ears
- Fatigue
- Snoring
- Decreased sense of taste and/or smell
- Itchy skin
- Skin rash
- Hives (urticaria)
- Swelling episodes (angioedema)
- Flushing
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Abdominal bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Anaphylaxis (a severe systemic allergic reaction)
If you suffer from any one of the symptoms mentioned above, you may have an allergic condition. The board certified allergy doctors of Black & Kletz Allergy have over 50 years of experience in diagnosing and treating allergic conditions such as hay fever (allergic rhinitis), asthma, eczema (atopic dermatitis), allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergies), hives (urticaria), swelling episodes (angioedema), generalized itching (pruritus), flushing, insect sting allergies (i.e., bees, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets), food allergies, sinus problems including sinus infections, medication allergies, allergic contact dermatitis (e.g., poison ivy, poison sumac, poison oak, nickel and other metal allergies, cosmetic allergies), and food preservative/dye allergies. We also diagnose and treat eosinophilic disorders as well as dysfunctions of the immune system and the conditions (i.e., recurrent infections) that they cause. If you are seeking a Washington, DC allergy doctor, Black & Kletz Allergy has 3 office locations in the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area. The Washington, DC allergy doctors treat both adults and children and have offices in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA. We have on-site parking at all of our offices and the Washington, DC and McLean, VA locations are Metro accessible with a free shuttle transferring patients between the McLean, VA office and the Spring Hill metro station. Please call us for an appointment or you can click Request an Appointment and we will respond within 24 hours on the next business day. Our allergists strive to help allergic individuals have a better quality of life by either diminishing or eliminating their unwanted symptoms in a professional caring environment.
Read more: Allergy Specialist Washington, DC | Allergist Washington, DC