Testing and Treatment

Allergy Testing and Diagnosis

If you think you might have an allergy because of symptoms such as hayfever, asthma, headaches, or skin rashes, you would benefit from seeing an allergist.

An allergist is a doctor with special training in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies. When you see an allergist, the first step in your allergy evaluation will be to gather as much information as possible about your medical condition. Next, a physical exam will be performed and when allergies are suspected, specific tests can be done to find out exactly what kind of allergies you have.

Allergy testing used to involve lots of sticks with pins and needles, but newer testing devices are virtually painless. Testing can be done rapidly and efficiently, and for many patients the results of the testing can be obtained on that first visit. Using the information from the allergy testing, you and your doctor can immediately start working on a treatment plan to help bring your allergy symptoms under control.
Most treatment plans include techniques for avoiding exposure to the allergy-causing
substances and learning to use medication to prevent symptoms from occurring in the first place or to give quick relief of symptoms when they do occur. In some patients, a program of immunization through allergy vaccinations can also be very helpful.

Most patients who suffer from allergies can be helped to feel dramatically better in a very short time.

What are Allergy Injections?

Immunotherapy using allergy shots is a very effective way to treat allergies.

For patients who have hayfever, asthma, or serious insect allergies, allergy shots can dramatically improve the quality of their life. By slowly introducing your immune system to very small amounts of the allergy causing substances, you can be made less sensitive to them. Then, when you breathe in the dust, pollen or cat fur which usually triggers your allergy symptoms, your allergies will bother you less.

Unlike medicines which only work to block allergy symptoms, allergy injections can actually make you less allergic and reduce your need to take supplemental medication. During the build-up phase, allergy shots must be taken on a regular basis. However, as your immune system gradually becomes less sensitive, you can begin receiving your allergy shots less often.

If simple avoidance and medicines alone are not bringing your allergies under control,
you may be a good candidate for immunotherapy or allergy shots.