77 West Granada Boulevard
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
(904) 672-1400 • Fax (904) 673-8198

1398 Dunlawton Avenue
Port Orange, FL 32127
(904) 756-1100 • Fax (904) 756-0091

Answers to the
most common questions
you ask your
otolaryngic allergist.

1.

What Is Allergy?
Allergy is a genetic condition causing the body to respond to harmless substances in the environment as though they were dangerous invaders.  This response produces symptoms that may be mild to life-threatening in susceptible people.
 

2.

What Causes the Abnormal Response?
When the allergic person comes into contact with the offending substance, his body’s immune system rushes to his rescue and begins to produce antibodies to fight off the invader.  These antibodies alter the way in which the body reacts, and may produce allergic symptoms.
 

3.

What Are the Most Common Allergic Symptoms?
The most common allergic symptoms are hay fever, asthma and eczema.
 

4.

Are Allergies Common?
It is estimated that at least 20% of the population is likely to develop some kind of allergy.
 

5.

Can an Allergy Be Outgrown?
No.  It is common for people to change the way their other allergic symptoms affect them, especially in childhood.  For example, a baby may develop colic or eczema or have recurrent ear infections, but as it grows older, it may develop other allergic symptoms such as hay fever, ear fluid or asthma.  Adults may have many varied symptoms such as chronic post nasal drainage, rashes, and stomach and intestinal problems.  Older patients still have a tendency to have allergic symptoms, although they may become less noticeable with maturity.
 

6.

If I Have an Allergy, Should I Be Treated by an Allergist?
Because allergies can produce such a wide range of symptoms, there are a number of doctors, both specialists and general practitioners, in addition to allergists, who may be qualified to treat the allergic patient.  For example, a skin allergy can be effectively treated by a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in treating skin diseases) and an infantile cow’s milk allergy may be treated by the child’s own pediatrician.  An internist who is concerned with lung disease may also be involved with allergies that affect the lungs.  An allergist may be any physician trained in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies.  There are general allergists who treat allergies throughout the body, and specialty allergists, such as otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat specialists), who specialize in a specific part of the body.

77 West Granada Boulevard
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
(904) 672-1400 • Fax (904) 673-8198

1398 Dunlawton Avenue
Port Orange, FL 32127
(904) 756-1100 • Fax (904) 756-0091