Our Services / Allergies

More than 50 million Americans have allergies, the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the United States. At Midsouth Independent Group (MIG) in Memphis, Tennessee, the skilled medical team takes a proactive approach to managing your allergies. They offer allergy testing on-site to uncover your allergy triggers. The providers also create individual treatment plans to manage your allergy symptoms and prevent complications like anaphylaxis. Contact a Midsouth Independent Group provider today to learn more. 

What are allergies?

Allergies are an overreaction of your body’s immune system to substances that generally aren’t considered harmful.

When you come into contact with a substance that you’re allergic to, your immune system produces antibodies in its defense. These antibodies are what cause allergy symptoms like sneezing and watery eyes.

There are many known allergens that trigger an immune system reaction, including:

• Dust
• Mold
• Cosmetics
• Pet dander
• Stinging insects

Certain drugs and ingredients in foods can also cause an allergic response in your body.

When should I seek treatment for allergies?

The providers at Midsouth Independent Group (MIG) offer services for all types of allergies, including seasonal allergies, pediatric allergies, and food allergies. They recommend that you schedule a diagnostic evaluation if you can’t manage your allergy symptoms with over-the-counter medications.

Common allergy symptoms include:

• Cough
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Hives and skin irritation

You also need medical attention if you have anaphylaxis, a condition that causes sudden inflammation in your airways when you make contact with an allergen. The inflammation makes it difficult for you to breathe and can lead to long-term health complications and premature death without prompt treatment.

Allergies can also trigger an asthma attack, which further complicates your breathing and requires medical intervention. Asthma causes airway inflammation and triggers your body to produce excess mucus in the lungs.

How are allergies treated?

The MIG providers offer comprehensive allergy testing in-office to identify what’s causing your allergies. They create a treatment plan based on the results of your testing to manage your symptoms and prevent complications from asthma and anaphylaxis.

The physicians can prescribe allergy medications that ease existing symptoms and prevent new allergy symptoms from occurring. They may also recommend immunotherapy, a treatment that involves a series of injections over several months or years. The injections expose your body to a small amount of known allergens over time to reduce your immune system response.

If you have anaphylaxis, the provider can prescribe an injectable epinephrine medication that quickly reduces airway inflammation. To treat asthma, you may need inhaled or oral medications to keep your airways open, so you can breathe easily.

Contact a Midsouth Independent Group provider today to schedule a consultation for allergies.