Adult Allergy Care
Asthma & Allergy Care, P.C. treats children and adults. This page focuses on allergy conditions in adult patients, including how allergies present, how they are diagnosed, and how they are managed.
Schedule an AppointmentAllergies in Adults
Allergies are not limited to childhood. Some adults experience new allergic reactions for the first time later in life, while others see childhood allergies change in severity or resolve and then return. The immune system can shift its response to substances over time, which is why an allergy that was not present earlier in life can appear in adulthood.
Occupational exposures are a factor unique to adult patients. Workplaces involving chemicals, dust, animal proteins, latex, or other airborne substances can introduce new allergic triggers or worsen existing respiratory conditions. Identifying whether symptoms are linked to a work environment is an important part of evaluating adult allergy complaints.
Because adult lifestyles, occupations, and exposures differ from those of children, allergy evaluation for adults takes these factors into account alongside a review of symptoms and history.
Common Adult Allergies
Food Allergies
Adults can develop reactions to foods they previously tolerated, or carry a food allergy forward from childhood.
Environmental Allergies
Pollen, dust mites, mold, and pet dander can trigger nasal and respiratory symptoms at any age.
Drug Allergies
Reactions to medications, including antibiotics and other prescription drugs, are evaluated as part of adult allergy care.
Insect Sting Allergies
Reactions to bee, wasp, or other insect stings range from local swelling to more serious systemic responses.
Latex Allergies
Exposure to latex in medical, dental, or occupational settings can cause skin, respiratory, or systemic reactions.
Symptoms in Adults
Allergic symptoms in adults can affect the respiratory system, skin, or the body as a whole. Recognizing these symptoms helps determine the appropriate evaluation and care.
Rhinitis
Sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes can result from environmental or seasonal allergen exposure.
Asthma
Allergic triggers can cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath in adults with asthma.
Skin Reactions
Hives, rashes, itching, or swelling of the skin can occur in response to food, drug, insect, or contact allergens.
Anaphylaxis Potential
Some allergic reactions can progress to anaphylaxis, a serious reaction involving multiple body systems that requires immediate medical attention.
Why Test and Diagnose
Testing identifies the specific substances responsible for a patient's symptoms. This information guides avoidance strategies and treatment decisions.
Workplace Impacts
Untreated allergic symptoms can interfere with concentration, attendance, and performance at work, particularly when occupational exposures are involved.
Quality of Life
Ongoing nasal congestion, skin reactions, or asthma symptoms can affect sleep, daily activity, and general well-being.
Preventing Complications
Identifying specific triggers allows patients to avoid exposures that could lead to more serious reactions, including anaphylaxis.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of adult allergies relies on a combination of testing methods, chosen based on the patient's history and suspected triggers.
Allergy Skin Testing
A small amount of a suspected allergen is applied to the skin to observe for a reaction. This is a common first step in identifying triggers.
Blood Testing
Blood tests measure the immune system's response to specific allergens and can be used when skin testing is not appropriate.
Targeted Testing
Specific testing for occupational or environmental triggers helps confirm whether a workplace or home exposure is contributing to symptoms.
Treatment Options
Treatment for adult allergies is individualized based on the type and severity of the allergy and the substances involved.
Allergen Avoidance
Reducing or eliminating contact with identified triggers is often the first line of management for adult allergies.
Medications
Medications can help control symptoms such as nasal congestion, skin reactions, or asthma flares.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy exposes the body to gradually increasing amounts of an allergen to change how the immune system responds over time.
Workplace and Lifestyle Considerations
Occupational allergy management involves identifying substances encountered on the job that may contribute to symptoms. This can include chemicals, dust, animal proteins, latex, or other airborne particles specific to a work environment.
Patients who suspect a connection between their symptoms and their workplace are encouraged to note when symptoms occur, including whether they improve away from work and return when back on the job. This information supports the evaluation process.
Lifestyle adjustments outside of work, such as changes to household exposures, may also be part of an overall management plan alongside occupational considerations.
Discuss both home and work environments with your provider so triggers from either setting can be identified and addressed.
What to Bring to Your Visit
Bringing the following items to your appointment helps your provider review your history and complete your evaluation.
Insurance Card
Bring your current insurance card to your appointment.
Referral, If Required
Bring any referral required by your insurance plan.
Medication List
Bring a list of your current medications, including dosages.
New Patient Forms
Completing your paperwork ahead of time helps your visit run smoothly. Patient forms are available for download and review before your appointment.
View Patient FormsSchedule an Adult Allergy Evaluation
Asthma & Allergy Care, P.C. sees adult patients across four New Jersey office locations, with Saturday hours available for added convenience.