Allergy Clinic — Respiratory Allergy
Could Your Symptoms Be Allergy?
If you’ve been dealing with a stuffy or runny nose, constant sneezing, itchy eyes, throat clearing, or a cough that won’t go away and it keeps coming back, especially around certain seasons, dust, or specific environments. The cause may not be a “recurring cold” or “weak immunity.” It could be allergic rhinitis, one of the most common and most underdiagnosed conditions affecting the nose and airways.
Left unrecognized, respiratory allergy doesn’t just cause daily discomfort, it’s also closely linked to asthma, poor sleep, and reduced quality of life. The good news: it’s identifiable with the right testing, and highly treatable once identified.
What is Allergic Rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis is inflammation of the inside of the nose caused by an allergic reaction typically to house dust mites, pollen, pet dander, mold, or occupational allergens. When you breathe these allergens in, your immune system overreacts, triggering inflammation in the nose and airways.
Common symptoms include:
- Sneezing, often in bouts
- Runny or blocked nose
- Itchy nose, eyes, or throat
- Watery or red eyes
- Postnasal drip and throat clearing
- A cough that persists, especially at night
- Reduced sense of smell
Allergic rhinitis and asthma are closely connected. They’re often driven by the same underlying allergy, so treating one without checking the other misses part of the picture.
Why Allergy Often Goes Undiagnosed
- Symptoms are frequently dismissed as “recurring colds,” “sinus problems,” or “weak immunity”
- Patients often self-treat with over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines for years without ever identifying the actual trigger
- Without proper testing, it’s impossible to know whether nasal or breathing symptoms are due to allergy, infection, structural issues, or asthma and treating the wrong cause doesn’t work
- Many general clinics do not have access to the specific tests needed to confirm an allergic cause and identify the exact trigger
Comprehensive Respiratory Allergy Evaluation
Diagnosing respiratory allergy properly means testing both how your lungs and airways are functioning and what specific allergens you’re reacting to. You can opt for our complete Respiratory Allergy Evaluation, which includes:
- Spirometry — measures lung function and airflow
- Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) — measures airway inflammation
- Forced Oscillometry — assesses airway resistance
- Skin Prick Allergy Testing — identifies specific allergens
- Serological Allergy Panels — blood-based allergy testing
Treatment Options
- Allergen avoidance guidance
- Medications
- Immunotherapy, where applicable
- Coordinated asthma management
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Respiratory Allergy
No. Skin prick testing involves tiny superficial pricks on the skin, not injections and causes at most mild, brief itching. Spirometry, FeNO, and oscillometry all just involve breathing into a device and are completely non-invasive. Serological testing is a standard blood draw.
Yes, certain medications particularly antihistamines can interfere with skin prick testing and need to be stopped for 5 to 7 days beforehand. We’ll guide you on exactly what to stop and for how long when you book your evaluation.
This depends on which tests are done. Call our clinic and our staff will walk you through the expected duration based on the evaluation you’re considering.
Allergic rhinitis is a long-term condition, and for most patients it’s managed rather than cured through allergen avoidance and medication. However, for confirmed house dust mite allergy, oral immunotherapy can meaningfully reduce sensitivity over time, offering longer-term relief beyond just symptom control.
Please call our clinic to discuss your child’s specific symptoms we can advise whether testing is appropriate and what it would involve.
Symptom relief with antihistamines confirms an allergic component but doesn’t tell you what you’re actually allergic to, or whether your airways are otherwise affected. Identifying the exact trigger is what allows for targeted treatment including immunotherapy instead of relying on medication indefinitely.
Book Your Vaccination
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday, 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- A/405, Sangam CHS, Corner of S V Road and Saibaba Road, Santacruz West, Mumbai 400054
- +91-9920095988 | opd.lungcare@gmail.com