When is allergy season?

Allergy season in the United States usually peaks from mid-February to early summer due to the pollination that occurs in the spring. But, depending on where you live, some people can experience allergies during other times of the year, as well.

What helps with allergies?

The first step to finding allergy relief is getting the proper diagnosis. This will help you work with your provider to create an effective treatment plan. Allergic reaction treatment usually requires a combination of environmental changes and medications. When you work closely with your provider, together you can create a long-term plan for allergy management.

Are allergies contagious?

No, allergies are not contagious. They are a reaction of the immune system to a specific trigger. Allergies cannot be spread from person to person.

Where do I go for an allergic reaction? Urgent care or the ER?

Most allergic reactions are mild and can be easily treated at an urgent care center. If you are experiencing difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness or severe vomiting due to an allergy, you should go to the ER or call 911.

Is it COVID-19 or allergies?

If you are sneezing often, congested and have itchy and watery eyes, you are likely suffering from seasonal allergies. If you are short of breath, achy, nauseous or have a fever, it could be something else, and you should contact your medical provider. The best way to determine whether your symptoms are related to COVID-19 or allergies is by getting tested. We offer COVID-19 testing at our urgent care centers.

Can allergies change as you get older?

Yes, your allergies can change over time and can be related to the area where you live. They can become more or less severe over time. Sometimes children grow out of allergies as they grow up.

What is the first step in treatment for food allergies?

The first step in the treatment of food allergies is getting the right diagnosis. Knowing which foods you are allergic to will help you eliminate those foods from your diet. It is important to not eliminate foods without the right diagnosis, as this can lead to nutrient deficiencies.

What is the treatment for penicillin allergy?

Treatment for a penicillin allergy may include antihistamines, corticosteroids, or epinephrine if the reaction is severe. The best way to avoid an allergic reaction to penicillin is to stop using it and to work with your primary care physician to prescribe other antibiotics instead.

Is coughing a symptom of allergies?

Yes, coughing can be a symptom of allergies, but also other respiratory illnesses. If you are unsure of the underlying cause of your cough, visit one of our convenient urgent care centers for the right diagnosis.

Common allergies and allergy treatment

Each year, millions of Americans are impacted by seasonal or other types of allergies. If you are looking for relief, our knowledgeable providers at GoHealth Urgent Care can help diagnose, treat and manage common allergies. Just walk in or save your spot online and we’ll help you get the relief you need.

Urgent Care for common allergies

Diagnose your allergy

Determine if you are experiencing seasonal, environmental, or other types of allergies.

Provide treatment

Our providers can offer immediate relief from uncomfortable allergy symptoms, like a runny nose or itchy eyes.

Create a treatment plan

We work with you to create a treatment plan that offers both immediate and long-term relief from your symptoms.

Allergy symptoms

Most of us are familiar with the common symptoms of allergies. These include:

Cough
Fever
Headache
Rashy, red or raised skin
Red, itchy, watery eyes
Runny or stuffy nose
Sore throat
Stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhea
Swollen lips, tongue, face or eyes
Wheezing or chest tightness

The trigger of the allergic reaction is exposure to an allergen or a substance you are allergic to. An allergen is usually a benign substance, like pollen or dust, that causes a reaction in certain people. Symptoms can develop within a few minutes of being exposed to an allergen or over a period of a few hours. Most allergic reactions are mild, but can occasionally result in a severe reaction called anaphylaxis.

If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, you might be having an allergic reaction. Rarely, an allergic reaction can become life-threatening. If you begin to experience throat tightness or difficulty breathing you should seek immediate medical attention at an emergency room or by calling 911.

Types of Allergies

An allergy occurs when an external substance comes in contact with your body and triggers an overreaction by the immune system. There are many types of common allergies. Some are caused by the change in seasons, whereas others are year-round. GoHealth can help diagnose and treat:

Food allergies: Certain foods can trigger an allergic reaction or other symptoms.

Environmental allergies: While dust mites and cockroaches don’t sting, they can still cause allergic reactions.

Drug allergies: Some people are allergic to certain medications or allergic reactions can be a side effect of the medication.

Insect bites: Bites and stings from insects like bed bugs, bees, wasps, ants and hornets can cause allergic reactions and may require immediate treatment.

8 food allergens

Food allergies are caused by allergic reactions to certain proteins in foods. When you have an allergy to a food, your reaction to consuming the food can be mild, like hives or a food allergy can cause severe life-threatening anaphylaxis.

While you can develop an allergy to any food, most people are allergic to one or more of the 8 most common food allergens. The allergens are:

Egg
Fish
Milk
Peanuts
Sesame
Shellfish
Soy
Tree nuts
Wheat

If you think you are allergic to one or more of these foods, it is essential to speak to a healthcare provider for allergy testing.

Environmental Allergens

Environmental allergies are caused by the body’s reaction to a benign substance in the environment. Common environmental allergies include:

Cigarette smoke: Smoke of any kind is irritating to the respiratory symptoms and may trigger allergies.
Dust mites: Tiny bugs that live in furniture and are one of the most common indoor allergens.
Mold: Mold grows in humid environments and mold spores can cause severe allergic reactions.
Pet dander: Animals with fur shed tiny bits of skin and hair, which can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Pollen: If you have pollen allergies, your symptoms might be worse in the spring or fall.

If you believe you have an environmental allergy, it is important to get the right diagnosis and speak to a knowledgeable provider to develop a treatment plan.

Allergies to drugs

A drug allergy is a reaction of your immune system to a medication. Any medication can cause an allergic reaction- over-the-counter, prescription, or even dietary supplements. Symptoms may include a rash, hives, or a fever, but drugs can also trigger severe anaphylaxis.

Certain medications, like some antibiotics, are more likely to cause allergic reactions. If you have had an allergic reaction to a medication in the past, it is essential to tell your healthcare provider at every visit. They can work with you and offer alternative medications or treatment options.

Insect bite allergies

Many different insect bites can cause allergic reactions. Most allergic reactions are caused by stinging or biting insects.

Stinging insects include fire ants, bees, wasps and hornets. These bugs inject a toxic substance when they sting, which can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. The reaction can vary from mild to severe.

Biting insects, like mosquitos, bedbugs, fleas and flies can also cause allergic reactions. Symptoms can include pain, stinging, swelling and redness. Life-threatening reactions to biting insects are less common.

If you are experiencing an abnormal reaction to an insect bite, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.

Seasonal allergies

While many believe that spring is the prime season for allergies, seasonal allergy symptoms can pop up at any time.

Winter allergies

Allergies in winter are commonly triggered by animals, dust mites or mold and can be exacerbated by dryness in the air.

Fall & spring allergies

Pollen in the spring and fall can cause a wide variety of allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, wheezing or itchy eyes.

Summer allergies

Spending time outdoors in warmer weather can put you in contact with certain plants like poison ivy that cause allergic reactions.

Types of seasonal allergies

Types of winter allergies

In the winter, most of us tend to spend more time indoors, which increases exposure to indoor allergens. Cold weather and dry air can exacerbate respiratory allergy symptoms in the winter months. Common winter allergy triggers include dust mites, mold, pet dander, or insect droppings.

Types of fall & spring allergies

Pollen from plants is the most common cause of both fall and spring allergies. While most plants begin to pollinate in the spring months, ragweed is a common allergen that pollinates in the late summer and fall. If you are allergic to pollen from plants you can experience similar fall and spring allergy symptoms such as coughing, sneezing and watery eyes during both seasons.

Types of summer allergies

Since we spend more time outdoors in the summer, allergies may be triggered by pollen from trees, grass, or other plants. Allergies to certain kinds of plant pollens may also cause an allergy to related fruits and vegetables. For example, if you are allergic to ragweed, you may also have a reaction to bananas, melons, or zucchini. These types of allergies may be more common in the summer months when many fruits and vegetables are in-season and pollen counts are high.

Allergy Treatment Options

The first step to developing successful treatment for allergies is to determine the underlying cause. When you visit our urgent care for allergies, we can begin the evaluation via a virtual or in-person visit. If we determine you need to be tested for allergies, there are two main types of tests that help diagnose allergies. We can refer you to a local allergist who can help with these types of tests.

Depending on the results of your evaluation and diagnostic tests, you may need treatment for your allergies. There are several types of allergic reaction treatments available:

Medicine: Antihistamines, decongestants and corticosteroids are the most commonly used medications for allergies.

Nebulizer or Inhaler: If you are having difficulty breathing or cannot take certain medications orally, a breathing treatment can help.

Shots: Allergy shots use gradual exposure to allergens that can help your immune system desensitize to the trigger. Although we don’t offer shots at GoHealth Urgent Care, we can refer you to a specialist who does.

Emergency epinephrine: If you are having an anaphylactic reaction, you may require an injection of epinephrine (Epi-Pen) which we can provide at GoHealth UC either for immediate use or carry with you when you need it.

Visit GoHealth Urgent Care for other conditions

At GoHealth Urgent Care, we can help you fight the right treatment for seasonal or acute allergies. We can also help treat related conditions such as:

Eczema
Minor animal or insect bites/stings
Mild asthma attacks & asthma symptoms
Rashes or skin infections
Wheezing

Save your spot All services

Frequently asked questions

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Urgent Care for common allergies

Diagnose your allergy

Provide treatment

Create a treatment plan

Allergy symptoms

Types of Allergies

8 food allergens

Environmental Allergens

Allergies to drugs

Insect bite allergies

Seasonal allergies

Winter allergies

Fall & spring allergies

Summer allergies

Types of seasonal allergies

Types of winter allergies

Types of fall & spring allergies

Types of summer allergies

Allergy Treatment Options

Visit GoHealth Urgent Care for other conditions

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

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Five things that can give you a runny nose

How to deal with pet allergies: tips and tricks

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