Allergy Doctors & Personalized Allergy Treatments in Atlanta, GA

Board-Certified Allergy Specialists You Can Trust

Our highly-qualified allergists at the Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia offer comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for allergies to pollen, mold, dust, pet dander, latex, insect stings, and certain medications. Our experts also treat food allergies as well as sinus, asthma and related pulmonary conditions. Our team understands that while many develop allergies during childhood, allergies can develop at any time during life with adult-onset allergies becoming more common in recent decades.

Allergic reactions can range from mild and annoying to life-altering, and even life-threatening for some.

What Are Allergies?

Allergies are a common and chronic condition involving an abnormal reaction by your immune system to a typically harmless substance. These substances, known as allergens, can be found in various forms such as food, pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and more. When your body encounters them, it mistakenly identifies them as a threat and releases chemicals, like histamine, to defend against it. This leads to allergy symptoms that can range from mild to severe. Seeking a consultation, and possible testing, with an allergist will provide a diagnosis and management plan that can greatly improve your quality of life.

Common Symptoms of Allergies

Symptoms can vary depending on the type of allergen and the individual's sensitivity. Common symptoms include:

Sneezing and nasal congestion: Frequent sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose.
Itchy, watery eyes: Red, itchy, and teary eyes.
Skin rashes: Itchy, red, and inflamed skin, such as hives or eczema.
Coughing and wheezing: Persistent coughing, chest tightness, and wheezing, especially for individuals with asthma triggered by allergies.
Digestive issues: Digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain in response to certain foods.
Anaphylaxis: A severe, potentially life-threatening reaction that requires immediate medical attention, characterized by swelling, difficulty breathing, and a drop in blood pressure.

Types of Allergies We Treat in Atlanta, Georgia

Animal Allergies: We provide diagnosis and treatment options for people allergic to animal dander. Proper diagnosis and management allow animal lovers to live symptom-free with their pets.
Food Allergies: Our board-certified specialists provide accurate diagnosis and management for people allergic to foods. Common food allergens include milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, and shellfish.
Hay Fever: Our allergy specialists in Atlanta provide comprehensive treatment for hay fever or allergic rhinitis. Allergies to indoor allergens and outdoor allergens can be both seasonal and perennial.
Insect Bites: We offer treatment for allergic reactions to insect bites, which can cause severe reactions in people allergic to stinging insect venom.
Latex Allergy: Our allergists diagnose and offer support for those allergic to latex. A latex allergy often goes unnoticed as symptoms may develop over repeat exposures.
Anaphylaxis: Our highly qualified medical team identifies the allergens that can trigger a severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a potentially deadly condition and patients at risk must avoid exposure to the allergen and carry life-saving medications.
Medication (Drug) Allergy: We test for certain medications, or drugs, either confirming that the patient must avoid the drug and use an alternate medication, or the patient is cleared to use the medication. We test for allergic reactions to drugs like penicillin and lidocaine through allergy skin testing and medication challenges.
Angioedema: We offer support for patients who suffer from angioedema. Angioedema is where a part of the body suddenly becomes swollen and is often associated with an allergic reaction. Swelling commonly occurs in the face – particularly the lips, tongue and eyelids.
Skin Allergies: We offer personalized treatment plans for allergic skin conditions including atopic dermatitis (eczema), urticaria (hives) and angioedema. Treatment will vary by condition and may include allergen avoidance, skin barrier repair, topical anti-inflammatory creams, antihistamines for itchiness, and in some cases, injectable biologic medications.

Diagnosing Allergies in Atlanta

If you suspect you have allergies, it's important to seek a consultation with an allergist. An accurate diagnosis and the development of an individualized management plan will alleviate and control your allergic symptoms.

Here are the steps and allergy tests commonly used in diagnosing allergic conditions like environmental allergies, animal allergies, skin allergies, food allergies, and allergic asthma:

Medical History Review: Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, their frequency, and any potential triggers you have noticed. They will ask about family history of allergic conditions and discuss any medication usage.
Physical Examination: Your provider will perform a physician exam as part of your evaluation.
Allergy Skin Testing:
- Scratch/Prick Test: In scratch/prick test small amounts of potential allergens are applied to your skin using tiny pricks. If you're allergic, a raised bump, or wheel, will appear at the test site.
- Intradermal Test: Intradermal test involves injecting a small amount of allergen just under the skin of the arm. It's more sensitive than the scratch/prick test and can help diagnose allergies when the scratch/prick test results are inconclusive.
Patch Test: Used primarily to identify contact allergies, or contact dermatitis, patch testing is used to determine if skin rashes are caused by an allergy to chemicals coming in contact with the skin. It involves applying patches with allergens to the skin, removing them after a period of time and checking for reactions.
Blood Test: A blood test can measure the level of specific antibodies (IgE) in your bloodstream in response to allergens.
Lung Function Tests: A high percentage of patients with allergies also have asthma. As part of your evaluation, our providers may perform lung function tests, like spirometry, to identify airway obstruction or inflammation.
Elimination Diet: For food allergies, an elimination diet involves removing suspected allergens from your diet and gradually reintroducing them under medical supervision to identify the potential allergen or allergens causing your symptoms.

How We Treat Allergies in Our Center for Allergy & Asthma in Georgia

While there is no cure for allergies, there are excellent treatment options available to manage and relieve symptoms. Our doctors offers a range of options to suit your specific needs:

Avoidance: The best way to manage allergies is to avoid known triggers whenever possible. This might involve dietary changes, using air purifiers, or adopting pet-free policies. Avoidance is often difficult for airborne allergens like dust, pollen, mold, and pet dander.
Medications: Over-the-counter or prescription medications can help alleviate symptoms. These include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal corticosteroids, and eye drops.
Allergy Shots (Immunotherapy): Allergy Immunotherapy, or Allergy shots, is a long-term solution to allergy symptoms. The treatment involves regular injections of small amounts of allergens to gradually build immunity to your specific allergic triggers. Over time, symptoms can be minimized or even eliminated.
Allergy Drops (Sublingual Immunotherapy): Allergy Drops, or SLIT, involve placing small doses of the liquid allergen under your tongue. By gradually increasing the dosage, your immune system develops a tolerance to your allergic triggers, thereby reducing symptoms.
Biologic Treatments: These are advanced therapies that target specific pathways in the immune system to prevent or reduce the severity of allergic reactions. Biologic treatments are particularly useful for severe asthma and chronic hives. Certain biologics are now used in the treatment of food allergy.
Corticosteroids: This class of drugs is effective in treating allergic conditions such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Taken orally or applied nasally, they reduce inflammation and swelling.
Moisturizing Creams and Lotions: Essential for managing skin allergies and conditions like eczema, these products help maintain skin hydration and barrier function.
Emergency Epinephrine: Patients at risk for anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, must carry an epinephrine device. Epinephrine is the only medication that can stop a life-threatening allergic reaction. Epinephrine is available in injectable and intranasal forms.

Schedule Your Next Appointment With One Of Our Atlanta Allergy Specialists And Find Relief

Our specialists can help you identify your allergic triggers. We provide individualized care plans that target your specific allergies. Our doctors provide treatments for a wide range of allergic conditions and asthma in our allergy and asthma centers. Our offices are located conveniently throughout Metro Atlanta, including Villa Rica, Hiram, Newnan, Smyrna/Vinings, Douglasville, Carrollton, Acworth/Kennesaw, Griffin and Peachtree City/Fayetteville.

Book your allergist consultation for a same-day or next-day appointment via phone at (770) 459-0620 or online through our patient contact form. Our Metro Atlanta allergy & asthma locations offer a no-wait appointment policy for new and existing patients.

Frequently Asked Questions About Allergies

When is allergy season?

Allergy season typically varies depending on the geographic location and the specific allergens involved. In many regions, spring marks the beginning of allergy season, as trees release pollen. In southern climates, tree pollen release can begin as early as February and elevated levels can be present into May. Summer allergies often stem from grass pollen and airborne mold spores. Fall allergies are commonly triggered by ragweed and other weed pollens. This season can start in August and extend until the first freeze. Indoor allergens like dust mites, animal dander, and mold can cause symptoms year-round.

Are allergies contagious?

No, allergies are not contagious. They are an immune system response to certain substances, such as pollen, dust, or pet dander, that are typically harmless to most people. When someone with allergies encounters these substances, their immune system overreacts, causing symptoms like sneezing, itching, and congestion. While the symptoms may resemble those of a cold or flu, which are contagious, allergies themselves cannot be spread from person to person.

Are allergies genetic?

Yes, allergies can have a genetic component. If one or both parents have allergies, their children are more likely to develop them. This predisposition is due to the inheritance of genes that affect the immune system's response to allergens. However, the specific type of allergies and their severity can vary greatly among family members, influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

Can you get a fever from allergies?

Allergies typically do not cause a fever. Fever is usually a sign of an infection, such as a cold or flu, rather than an allergic reaction. However, severe allergic reactions can cause symptoms that might be confused with an infection, such as fatigue and general malaise. If you experience a fever along with allergy-like symptoms, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider to rule out an underlying infection or other conditions.

Can allergies cause body aches?

Allergies themselves usually do not cause body aches. However, severe or chronic allergy symptoms can lead to secondary issues, such as sinus infections, which might result in body aches and fatigue. Additionally, the overall discomfort and inflammation caused by allergies can make a person feel generally unwell and fatigued, which might be perceived as body aches. If body aches persist, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause.