Immediate Care For Your Allergies
Winter's frost has given allergy sufferers a cool reprieve, but spring allergy season will be arriving soon in the Homer Glen area. More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Allergies occur when the body overreacts to substances called allergens. Allergies can affect the eyes, skin, nose, intestinal tract and respiratory system. Common symptoms include:
- Chronic itching
- Watery eyes
- Rashes
- Itchy nose, eyes and roof of mouth
- Sneezing
- Stuffy nose
- Pressure in the nose and cheeks
- Ear fullness and popping
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Hives
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing or wheezing
Types of allergies
Seasonal allergies occur during certain times of the year. Generally, spring allergies are caused by tree pollen, summer allergies are due to grass and weed pollen and allergies that occur in the fall are due to ragweed. Mold allergies are caused by mold that form where water tends to collect. They are common during the summer and usually worsen during humid and rainy weather. Pet allergies come from proteins found in the skin, saliva and urine of furry pets such as cats and dogs. You can be exposed to dander when handling an animal or from house dust that contains dander. A dust mite allergy is an allergic reaction to tiny creatures that live in the dust found in most buildings and houses.
If you have an allergy
A visit to Immediate Care at the Loyola Center for Health at Homer Glen can help. We have medications available that can relieve your symptoms, including antihistamines and decongestants. Also available are nasal sprays and eye drops. As part of Loyola University Health System, we have access to allergy experts who offer comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and treatment for all types of allergies.
Where to go
The Loyola Center for Health at Homer Glen offers Immediate Care services for adults and children. Patients are seen on a walk-in basis, wait times are shorter and costs less than at an emergency room and no appointment is necessary. And, our immediate care doctors will follow up with you and your doctor after treatment. Immediate Care is open Monday - Friday, 4 - 10 p.m. and on weekends and holidays, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.