Frequently Asked Questions

Carefree Allergy is an allergy and immunology practice that specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies and asthma disorders.

Carefree Allergy treats a range of allergies including food allergies and seasonal allergies. It is always best to get an allergy skin test done to determine what you are allergic to, then we can formulate the best personalized treatment plan for you.

• Itchy, watery eyes.
• Itchy nose.
• Sneezing.
• Runny nose.
• Rashes.
• Hives (a rash with raised red patches)
• Stomach cramps.
• Vomiting.

Colds typically produce productive (phlegmy) coughs. Coughing is often a symptom of both allergies and colds, but a cold cough is typically wet and hacking. As symptoms go on with a cold, you can develop a thicker mucus, but allergies usually don't produce a wet cough.

Asthma is diagnosed through a lung function test and other medical exams. Treatment may include inhalers, medications, allergy care and lifestyle changes.

Skin prick testing (SPT) is the preferred testing method for true food allergy. It is safe for most patients—even infants—and it can be done during a regular clinic visit. Results are available immediately after the test, so you will be able to discuss the results with your allergist at the same visit.

Yes, allergy skin tests are reliable for diagnosing allergies to airborne substances, such as pollen, pet dander and dust mites. Skin testing may help diagnose food allergies. But because food allergies can be complex, you may need additional tests or procedures.

These tests are designed to be convenient and easy to use. However, since the analysis isn't as complete as what you'd get from a doctor or allergist, the results you receive aren't as thorough. And as we've explained here, they can be inaccurate or misleading.

Sublingual immontherapy is our first choice for allergy care. The "best" over-the-counter allergy medicine can vary from person to person because different individuals may respond differently to various allergy medications. There are several types of allergy medications available over-the-counter (OTC) and by prescription. For best results contact our allergy associates to determine the best treatment plan for you.

Skin rashes can have a wide range of causes, and identifying the specific cause of a rash often requires a medical evaluation by a healthcare professional. Some common causes of skin rashes include:

1. Allergies: Allergic reactions to substances like certain foods, medications, cosmetics, or insect bites can lead to skin rashes. These rashes are often itchy and may be accompanied by other symptoms like swelling or hives.
2. Contact Dermatitis: This occurs when the skin comes into direct contact with an irritant or allergen, leading to a rash. Common irritants include certain soaps, detergents, cosmetics, and plants like poison ivy.
3. Infections: Various types of infections can cause skin rashes. These include fungal infections (such as ringworm or athlete's foot), bacterial infections (like impetigo), and viral infections (such as chickenpox or shingles).
4. Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like lupus and dermatomyositis can lead to chronic skin rashes as the immune system attacks healthy skin cells.
5. Insect Bites and Stings: Bites from insects like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas can cause localized skin reactions, including redness, swelling, and itching.
6. Heat Rash: Also known as prickly heat, this rash occurs when sweat ducts become blocked, leading to red, itchy, and sometimes blister-like rashes, often in hot and humid conditions.
7. Medications: Some medications can cause adverse skin reactions as side effects. These reactions can range from mild rashes to severe conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
8. Stress: Emotional stress can sometimes manifest as skin rashes, such as hives.
9. Genetic Factors: Certain skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, have a genetic component and can cause chronic rashes.
10. Inflammatory Skin Conditions: Conditions like eczema (atopic dermatitis) and psoriasis are chronic skin disorders characterized by persistent skin inflammation, leading to rashes.
11. Environmental Factors: Exposure to harsh environmental conditions, such as extreme cold or excessive sun, can lead to skin rashes.
12. Underlying Health Conditions: Skin rashes can also be a symptom of underlying medical conditions, such as liver or kidney disease.

Hives, also known as urticaria, are raised, itchy welts on the skin that can vary in size and shape. They are typically caused by an allergic reaction, but hives can also have non-allergic triggers. Here are some common causes of hives:

1. Allergic Reactions: Allergens that can trigger hives include foods (e.g., nuts, shellfish, eggs), medications (e.g., antibiotics, aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), insect stings or bites, and latex. In allergic reactions, the body releases histamine, a chemical that causes blood vessels to leak fluid, leading to the characteristic welts and itching of hives.
2. Non-Allergic Reactions: Hives can also be triggered by non-allergic factors, such as:
   
   • Physical Urticarias: These include physical triggers like pressure (dermatographism), cold (cold urticaria), heat (cholinergic urticaria), and sunlight (solar urticaria).
   • Emotional Stress: Stress can lead to the release of histamine, causing hives in some individuals.
   • Exercise-Induced: Some people experience hives during or after exercise, particularly when their body heats up.
   • Contact with Irritants: Certain substances, like chemicals or plants, can directly irritate the skin and cause hives.

1. Infections: Viral or bacterial infections, such as the common cold or urinary tract infections, can sometimes trigger hives as part of the body's immune response.
2. Autoimmune Disorders: In some autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly targets the skin, leading to hives. Conditions like chronic spontaneous urticaria may have an autoimmune component.
3. Medications: Some medications, especially those that affect the immune system, can lead to hives as a side effect.
4. Underlying Health Conditions: Occasionally, hives can be a symptom of underlying medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders or cancer.
5. Food Additives and Preservatives: Certain food additives and preservatives, such as sulfites, can trigger hives in sensitive individuals.

Food allergies can vary widely in terms of their prevalence, but some foods are more commonly associated with allergies than others. The most common food allergies in many parts of the world include:

1. Milk: Milk allergy is most common in infants and young children. It is different from lactose intolerance, which is a non-allergic reaction to milk sugar (lactose).
2. Eggs: Egg allergies are more common in children and can sometimes be outgrown. Both the egg white and egg yolk can trigger allergies, but egg white allergies are more common.
3. Peanuts: Peanut allergies are one of the most well-known and potentially severe food allergies. They often persist into adulthood, and even small amounts of peanuts can trigger a reaction.
4. Tree Nuts: Tree nuts, such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, and hazelnuts, can also cause severe allergies. People allergic to one type of tree nut are often advised to avoid all tree nuts due to cross-contamination risks.
5. Soy: Soy allergies can occur in both children and adults. Soy is a common ingredient in many processed foods, so those with soy allergies need to be vigilant when reading labels.
6. Wheat: Wheat allergies can cause a range of symptoms, from mild hives to severe anaphylaxis. People with wheat allergies need to avoid wheat-containing products.
7. Fish: Fish allergies can be caused by various types of fish, including salmon, tuna, and cod. Fish allergy is more common in adults than in children.
8. Shellfish: Shellfish allergies are also more common in adults. Shellfish includes crustaceans like shrimp, crab, and lobster, as well as mollusks like clams, mussels, and oysters.

Yes! Switching over is no problem at all. In most cases we can use your existing allergy test to formulate your allergy drops. Schedule a consultation and see if drops are a good fit for you.