Need an allergy provider? Call the phone number on the back of your member ID card or visit www.kerncountyhealthbenefits.com to find a full list of contracted providers in your area. Consultations and routine follow-up visits do not require prior authorizations; however, most allergy injections/shots (immunotherapy) services do. Coping with allergies Allergies can make your life miserable. Their symptoms—runny nose, coughing, itching, headache and sneezing, to name a few—can be mild or severe. But you can do several things to reduce your discomfort from them. Allergy basics An allergy is a reaction your body has to something that’s usually harmless for most people, such as dust mites, pet dander or pollen. An allergen is the thing that triggers the allergic reaction. Your immune system responds to the allergen by releasing a chemical called histamine, which causes allergy symptoms. Some common allergens are: ● Pets. The dander in their fur can linger in the air and furniture for a long time. Their saliva or urine causes allergic reactions too. ● Mice and cockroaches. These pests have allergens in their feces and saliva. ● Dust mites. You can’t see them without a microscope, but they live in bedding, carpets, upholstered furniture and dust inside your house. ● Mold. These microscopic organisms reproduce through mold spores. Spores float through the air and are easily inhaled. ● Pollen. Trees, weeds, grass and other plants release pollen. Pollen levels usually peak during the spring and fall. While most of these allergens crop up year-round almost anywhere, some—such as cockroaches, dust mites and mold—flourish in warm, humid environments. Symptom relief Try these tips to soothe your allergies. Reduce pet dander. Groom your pet outside and wash its bedding frequently. Shut your windows. This can help keep pollen and dust at bay. Scrub surfaces. Regularly clean areas where mold tends to grow, such as bathrooms and laundry rooms. Lower the humidity. Aim for a humidity level of less than 50%. Avoid humidifiers. Use filters. Use a vacuum cleaner and an air purifier with highefficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to reduce dust and dander. Look into installing air filters in your home’s heating and air conditioning system. Medicate. Over-the-counter and prescription allergy medications can relieve your symptoms. They are available as drops, tablets, liquids and sprays. The major types of allergy medications are antihistamines, decongestants, nasal corticosteroids and mast-cell stabilizers. Have allergies? Make an appointment with our allergist. Sources: Allergy & Asthma Network; American Academy of Family Physicians; American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
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