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| Carmen Coleman-Reeves gets a shot from Maureen McInerney, RN, to treat some of her allergies. |
You may not realize what is lurking in the food you eat, the health and beauty products you use or the air you breath, but it could be making you sick. For people with allergies, it can be a cruel world.
Allergies are a very common problem, yet some may not realize they have allergies. The Allergy Center within Old Westport Medical Association in the Medical Mall at Saint Joseph Health Center not only helps people identify the problem, it also treats and educates patients.
"Much of what I do is really detective work," says Maureen McInerney, RN, BSN. "Some people have symptoms they're so used to having, they don't even realize they have them. We do an extensive history and look for patterns in what they do and how they feel. I'm getting pretty good at finding out what's going on."
Allergies come in many forms and can appear at any time in a person's life. McInerney says you'd be surprised at what chemicals are in products you use-even eat every day. "The same ingredient that is in a bug killer is in shampoo. Glycerin, a very common chemical allergen is in cosmetics, cough drops, antifreeze and eye drops. It's really amazing when you think about it."
And there's no question allergies can affect a person's quality of life. Carmen Coleman-Reeves says before getting treatment, she was a mess. "I thought I was going crazy. I was sick all the time but I didn't know why. I was literally in tears when I came in here. I had been to several doctors, and they couldn't figure out what was wrong with me."
Coleman-Reeves says that shopping was a nightmare. She would break out in hives going through clothes on a rack. And just walking by the perfume counters caused reactions. She underwent testing and found she had several allergies including chemicals, foods, pollen, mold and animal dander. "I found out I was allergic to just about everything," she says, "even my husband."
Her husband is in the lawn and garden business and works with lawn chemicals, etc.
"Once we know what we're dealing with, we can take steps to control the allergens," says McInerney. "Avoidance is the first step."
Coleman-Reeves has made a lot of adjustments in her life. She had to find personal care products that wouldn't irritate her. When she stays overnight away from her home, she brings her own sheets and blankets. And her husband? "He has to undress in the garage before he even comes into the house."
Coleman-Reeves tries as best she can to avoid the foods and chemicals that bother her. She also uses food drops and chemical drops to prevent a reaction from the exposure. She is given weekly allergy injections for dust, mold, pollen and pet dander.
"Immunotherapy, or allergy shots, are used to desensitize the body to a allergen," explains McInerney. "We actually inject a very small amount of the allergen, so your body learns to deal with it." The treatment may take two to five years.
But to Coleman-Reeves, it's worth it. "I feel so much better, There's no comparison. I can take my grandchild to the zoo and I went to my first football game in years. I can live my life again."
For more information, contact The Allergy Center at Old Westport Medical Association, at 816-942-7204.
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