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Allergies
When allergies are affecting your everyday life, you deserve more than a list of things to avoid.
Sneezing. Nasal congestion. Itchy or watery eyes. Skin reactions. Symptoms that appear every spring — or seem to happen all year.
Sometimes the trigger is obvious. Sometimes it isn’t.
At Sage Natural Health, we take the time to understand what you’re experiencing and consider whether your symptoms are actually being caused by an allergy, another condition that can look similar, or a combination of factors.
Our multidisciplinary team can help with assessment, symptom management, nutrition and lifestyle support, medication when appropriate, and coordination with physicians or allergy specialists when more specialized investigation is needed.
Allergies, Symptoms & Concerns We Help With
Allergic symptoms can affect the nose, eyes, skin, lungs and digestive system. Depending on your symptoms and medical history, Sage may provide direct care, supportive care, or help coordinate further medical assessment.
Seasonal allergies and hay fever
Symptoms that appear during pollen seasons may include sneezing, nasal congestion, runny or itchy nose, itchy eyes and watery eyes. Tree, grass and ragweed pollen are common seasonal triggers.
Year-round allergies
If symptoms persist throughout the year, indoor allergens such as dust mites, pets or mould may be relevant. However, year-round congestion or a runny nose can also have non-allergic causes.
Allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis causes inflammation of the nasal passages and can affect sleep, concentration and day-to-day comfort. It can occur seasonally or throughout the year.
Allergy-related eye symptoms
Itchy, red or watery eyes can occur alongside allergic rhinitis. Persistent or significant eye symptoms may require additional medical assessment to rule out other causes.
Skin reactions
Hives, itching and some forms of dermatitis may be associated with allergies, although many skin conditions are not caused by an allergy. Assessment can help determine whether an allergic trigger is likely.
Suspected food allergies or reactions
Food allergy is different from food intolerance or other food-related symptoms. A suspected food allergy requires careful assessment because unnecessary elimination of foods can create nutritional and quality-of-life problems.
Medication reactions
A reaction after taking a medication does not always mean you have a true medication allergy. Some reactions are side effects or other types of adverse drug reactions. A concerning or potentially serious reaction may require assessment by a physician or allergist.
Asthma and allergy-related respiratory symptoms
Allergies can aggravate asthma in some people. If you have wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness or other respiratory symptoms, appropriate medical assessment is important. Sage can provide supportive care while coordinating with your physician or other medical professionals when needed.
Important: A severe allergic reaction or symptoms of anaphylaxis require urgent medical attention. Allergy care at Sage is not a substitute for emergency treatment.
Your Symptoms Are the Starting Point — Not the Whole Story
The same symptom can have very different explanations.
For example, a blocked or runny nose could be caused by allergic rhinitis, a viral infection, non-allergic rhinitis, environmental irritants, medication effects or another nasal or sinus condition.
Similarly, a reaction after eating a food doesn’t automatically mean you have a food allergy. The timing and nature of the reaction matter, as do your medical history and other symptoms.
The goal is not to find a single explanation for every symptom. It’s to determine what is most likely happening and what information is actually useful for deciding what to do next.
Your clinician may consider:
The goal is not to find a single explanation for every symptom. It’s to determine what is most likely happening and what information is actually useful for deciding what to do next.
Our Approach to Allergy Care
There is no single “Sage allergy protocol.”
Your care starts with an individualized assessment of your symptoms, medical history, medications, nutrition, lifestyle and previous investigations.
From there, we determine what makes sense for you.
For some people, the appropriate next step may be straightforward symptom management. For others, additional testing may be useful. In some situations, referral to an allergist, family physician or another medical specialist is the right choice.
Our approach is based on a simple principle:
Use the right tools for the right patient at the right time.
That may include naturopathic medicine, conventional medical care, prescription medication, nutrition support, laboratory testing or collaboration with another healthcare professional.
Comprehensive Care, Without Unnecessary Testing
Allergy testing is most useful when it answers a specific clinical question.
Depending on your symptoms, your clinician may recommend:
Allergy testing
When your history suggests a particular environmental or food allergen, appropriate testing may include specific IgE blood testing or skin-prick testing, generally through an appropriate medical/allergy pathway.
Testing should be interpreted alongside your symptoms and history. A positive test does not automatically mean that an allergen is causing your symptoms.
Blood work
Routine blood work is not necessary for every person with allergies. It may be considered when there is another clinical question that needs to be investigated.
Additional medical investigation
If your symptoms don’t fit a straightforward allergy pattern, your clinician may recommend additional assessment. Depending on the situation, this could include investigation of chronic sinus problems, respiratory conditions, medication reactions or other causes of your symptoms.
Diagnostic imaging is not routinely required for allergies, but may occasionally be appropriate when another condition is suspected.
Specialist assessment
If your history suggests a significant food allergy, recurrent severe reactions, a complex medication reaction, difficult-to-control symptoms or another condition requiring specialized care, referral to an allergist/immunologist or another physician may be appropriate.
We don’t recommend testing simply because a test is available. The purpose of investigation is to answer a clinical question and, ideally, help guide what happens next.
One Team. Multiple Healthcare Perspectives.
Allergy care doesn’t have to be a choice between “natural” and “conventional.”
Sage brings different healthcare professionals together so that your care can be matched to what you actually need.
Naturopathic medicine
Naturopathic doctors can assess symptoms, review your health history and help with individualized lifestyle and supportive strategies alongside appropriate medical care.
Nurse practitioner care
Sage’s nurse practitioners can provide medical assessment, order and interpret appropriate diagnostic testing, and prescribe medications when clinically indicated.
Prescription medication
For allergic rhinitis and other allergic conditions, medication may be an important part of effective symptom management. Your clinician can help you understand your options and how they fit with your overall care.
Nutrition and dietitian support
If food allergies, food avoidance or nutrition concerns are affecting your diet, a registered dietitian can help you maintain adequate nutrition while avoiding unnecessary restriction.
Collaboration and referral
Sometimes the best care involves another healthcare professional. Sage can work alongside family physicians, allergists, respirologists and other specialists when additional assessment or treatment is needed.
The goal isn’t to choose between conventional and naturopathic medicine. It’s to use the right tools for the right patient at the right time.
Meet Some of Our Practitioners
Dr. Rahima Hirji, ND
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Dr. Deanna Walker, ND
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Dr. Heather Robinson, ND
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Dr. Emile Sabga, BSC (Hon), ND
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Dominique Williams, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker
What Might Treatment Look Like?
Treatment depends on what is causing your symptoms and how significantly they are affecting you.
Depending on your situation, your plan may include:
Identifying and reducing exposure to confirmed or strongly suspected allergens
Environmental strategies for relevant triggers such as pollen or dust mites
Saline nasal rinsing or other supportive measures
Antihistamines when appropriate
Intranasal corticosteroid medication for allergic rhinitis when indicated
Other prescription treatments based on your symptoms and medical history
Appropriate management of associated asthma, eczema or other conditions
Nutrition support when food avoidance is necessary
An individualized plan for managing recurrent reactions
Referral for allergen immunotherapy when appropriate
Referral to an allergist or other specialist when specialized assessment is needed
Supplements are not automatically recommended, and you do not need to purchase a long list of products to receive care.
Your treatment plan should evolve as we learn more about your symptoms and how you respond.
What to Expect
We listen.
We start with your symptoms, your concerns and what you’ve already tried. We’ll ask about timing, triggers, medications, previous diagnoses and relevant medical history.
We assess the pattern.
We’ll consider whether your symptoms fit an allergic condition or whether another explanation may need to be considered.
We decide whether investigation is necessary.
If testing could meaningfully change your care, we’ll discuss what type of investigation makes sense. If testing is unlikely to add useful information, we won’t recommend it simply for the sake of testing.
We build an individualized plan.
Your plan may involve symptom management, medication, environmental strategies, nutrition support, lifestyle changes or referral to another healthcare professional.
We reassess and adjust.
Allergy symptoms can change with seasons, exposures, medications and other health factors. Follow-up allows us to see what’s working and determine whether your plan needs to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sage can assess allergy-related symptoms and help determine whether further medical investigation is appropriate. Depending on the situation, this may include collaboration with or referral to an allergist/immunologist for specialized allergy testing.
Not necessarily. Allergy testing is most useful when your history and symptoms point toward a specific allergen and the result could affect management. Broad testing without a clear clinical question can create confusing or misleading results.
Food allergy requires appropriate clinical assessment and, when indicated, validated testing such as specific IgE blood testing or skin-prick testing. Sage can help determine whether further medical allergy assessment is appropriate.
We do not recommend relying on IgG food panels to diagnose food allergies or food intolerances.
A food allergy involves an immune response and can sometimes cause serious reactions. Food intolerances involve different mechanisms and are generally not the same as an allergic reaction.
Because the management can be very different, it is important to establish which type of reaction is most likely before making significant dietary changes.
Often, yes. Allergy medications can be an appropriate part of treatment. Your clinician can review your current medications and determine how they fit into your overall plan.
Sage’s nurse practitioners can also provide medical assessment and prescribe medications when appropriate.
Nutrition can be part of individualized care, particularly when food allergies or significant food restrictions affect your diet. However, there is no universal “allergy diet,” and unnecessary elimination of foods is not recommended.
That’s an important reason to seek an assessment. Similar symptoms can have different causes. Your clinician can help determine whether allergy is likely or whether another medical evaluation may be more appropriate.
Referral may be appropriate for significant or recurrent allergic reactions, suspected food or medication allergy, difficult-to-control symptoms, suspected anaphylaxis, or when specialized allergy testing or immunotherapy is being considered.
Some allergies can change over time, and allergen immunotherapy can provide long-term improvement for selected allergic conditions. However, there is no single treatment that cures every type of allergy.
The goal of care is to accurately identify the condition, reduce symptoms and risks, and choose the most appropriate treatment for your situation.
You Don’t Have to Figure Out Your Symptoms Alone
If you’re dealing with persistent congestion, seasonal symptoms, unexplained reactions or concerns about a possible allergy, the first step is understanding what’s actually causing them.
At Sage, we combine individualized assessment with access to multiple healthcare perspectives — and we’re comfortable saying when the right next step is testing, medication, referral or a different approach altogether.
