Indoor Allergies

The allergy specialists at UPMC in central Pa. offer diagnostic testing and treatment for children and adults with indoor allergies.

Why Choose UPMC in Central Pa. for Indoor Allergy Treatment?

Our specialists provide comprehensive treatment for indoor allergies. We offer a full range of diagnostic and treatment services to help you understand and manage your allergies, including:

• Diagnostic Tests for Indoor Allergies
• Skin testing. Skin testing, also called scratch testing, exposes your skin to small amounts of allergy-causing substances (allergens) and can identify indoor allergy triggers, such as dust mites, pets, and mold.
• Blood tests. Blood tests measure the amount of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in your blood that are specific to certain allergens. Although blood tests are not as exact as skin tests, your doctor may use them in combination with skin tests to diagnose and treat your allergy.

Medications for Indoor Allergies

• Medications may be able to help control your allergy symptoms or prevent symptoms from occurring. Before you take any allergy medication, you should ask your doctor if it is safe for you.

Allergen Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots) for Indoor Allergies

• Allergy shots are injections that contain a small dose of certain allergens, or substances that trigger allergic reactions. The shots are given at regular intervals to prevent or reduce allergic reactions. With each shot, your health care provider will increase the dose of allergens. This helps your immune system get used to the allergens and may eventually cause your allergy symptoms to decrease.

Patient Education for Indoor Allergies

• Our specialists provide the education and information you need to manage your indoor allergies, including recommendations on how you can avoid allergy triggers and prevent allergic reactions.

What are indoor allergies?

Indoor allergies are a type of environmental allergy that occurs when your body has an immune reaction to an otherwise-harmless substance in your surroundings that is found indoors. Indoor allergies can be caused by physical contact with the substance or by inhaling the substance during indoor activities.

Substances that trigger these immune reactions are called allergens. Common indoor allergens include:

• Dust mites
• Pets
• Molds

What are the symptoms of indoor allergies?

Symptoms of indoor allergies are caused by your body’s immune reaction to the allergen and usually continue for as long as you are exposed to the allergen. Symptoms may include:

• Chronic sinusitis
• Eye problems, such as redness, watering, itching, or swelling
• Itchy skin or nose
• Post-nasal drip
• Rhinitis/nasal congestion
• Sneezing or a runny nose
• Wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath

Who is at risk for indoor allergies?

You may be at a higher risk for indoor allergies if someone else in your family has environmental allergies, or if you have asthma or another allergic condition.

How can I prevent indoor allergies?

Although there is nothing you can do to prevent the allergy itself, you may be able to prevent allergic reactions by avoiding allergy triggers and following your doctor’s advice regarding allergy treatment.

Providers

• Julee A Eisenhart, CRNP
  Otolaryngology
• Larisa B. Fritz, MD
  Allergy & Immunology
• James Manning, MD
  Otolaryngology
• Bret Sobota, MD
  Otolaryngology