Allergies

If you need help managing persistent allergy symptoms like sneezing, coughing, or skin rashes, you can rely on the expert care Direct Wellness RVA offers. Grace Beers, PA-C, MSPAS, provides comprehensive allergy tests onsite to identify allergy triggers in adults and adolescents. She also customizes a care plan to keep your symptoms under control in the long term. Allergy testing and management services are available in the office and through telehealth for a convenient, monthly membership fee. Call the Midlothian, Virginia, office today to schedule a consultation for allergies or book an appointment online.

What are allergies?

Allergies are an immune system response to substances (allergens) in the environment that are usually considered harmless. Contact with the allergen causes the immune system to release histamine chemicals that trigger skin rashes, a persistent cough, and other allergy symptoms.

Allergies can be seasonal or chronic and be triggered by substances like:

• Dust
• Mold
• Latex
• Pollen
• Pet dander
• Insect stings
• Certain foods and medications

Direct Wellness RVA offers comprehensive allergy testing in-office for an affordable, monthly membership fee to identify the root cause of an allergic reaction.

Grace works closely with you on a care plan to avoid known allergens. She also offers medications and other treatments to reduce the frequency and severity of allergy symptoms.

When should I seek medical attention for allergies?

Mild or occasional allergies are often manageable with over-the-counter medications. Schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Direct Wellness RVA if you have chronic allergy symptoms that interfere with your quality of life, such as:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Throat irritation
• Skin rash or hives
• Nausea or vomiting

Allergies can also cause a potentially life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis that causes sudden airway inflammation, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room for immediate treatment if you experience an anaphylactic reaction.

Grace offers medically supervised allergy tests in the office to identify the substances that trigger an allergic reaction. She creates an evidence-based treatment plan based on your test results to minimize your risk for allergy-related complications.

How are allergies treated?

Your treatment plan for allergies may include daily medications to prevent the release of histamines that contribute to respiratory issues and other allergy symptoms.

Grace might also recommend immunotherapy, a treatment that exposes the body to small amounts of known allergens to reduce immune system response. Immunotherapy involves a series of injections over several months or years to become effective.

People who experience anaphylaxis need to carry an epinephrine pen to address emergencies. The pen delivers medications into the body that quickly reduce airway inflammation, so you can breathe.

Grace also recommends lifestyle and diet changes you can make to avoid environmental and food allergens. She offers telehealth visits to monitor your treatment progress.

Call Direct Wellness RVA today to schedule a consultation for allergies or book an appointment online.