Outdoor Allergies at UPMC in Central Pa.

The allergy, asthma, and immunology specialists at UPMC in central Pa. offer diagnostic testing and treatment for children and adults with outdoor allergies.

Why choose UPMC in Central Pa. for outdoor allergy treatment?

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

Diagnostic Tests for Outdoor Allergies

• Skin testing. Skin testing, also called scratch testing, exposes your skin to small amounts of allergy-causing substances (allergens) and can identify outdoor allergy triggers, such as outdoor molds and grass, weed, and tree pollens.
• 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 Outdoor Allergies

• Medications may be able to help control your outdoor 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 Outdoor 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 Outdoor Allergies

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

What are outdoor allergies?

Outdoor 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 outdoors. Outdoor allergies can be caused by physical contact with the substance or by inhaling the substance during outdoor activities.

Substances that trigger these immune reactions are called allergens. Some outdoor allergens are more common during certain times of the year and cause seasonal allergy symptoms — which are sometimes called “hay fever.”

Common outdoor allergens include:

• Tree pollens, which are common in the spring
• Grass pollens, which are common in the late spring and early summer
• Weed pollens, which are common in the late summer and fall
• outdoor molds

What are the symptoms of outdoor allergies?

Symptoms of outdoor allergies are caused by your body’s immune reaction to the allergen and usually last as long as you continue to be 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 outdoor allergies?

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

How can I prevent outdoor 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
  
• Larisa B. Fritz, MD
  
• James Manning, MD
  
• Bret Sobota, MD
  

Locations

Specialty Care ENT – UPMC
508 S. Washington Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325

Phone: 717-334-8171
Fax: 717-334-8172

Specialty Care ENT – UPMC
250 Fame Avenue
Suite 201, (Entrance A)
Hanover, PA 17331

Phone: 717-633-9229
Fax: 717-633-5552

UPMC Allergy and Immunology
Located at UPMC Outpatient Center
21 Waterford Drive
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

Phone: 717-988-9180
Fax: 717-775-5723