Allergy Consultation Specialist

What happens during an allergy consultation?

An allergy consultation is an office visit that's designed to help identify the causes of your underlying allergic symptoms, and then to prescribe treatment or additional testing that can help provide relief for those symptoms. Consultation visits begin with a comprehensive health history, including information about any medical conditions you have and any medications or supplements you may currently be taking. You'll also be asked questions about the types of symptoms you're experiencing and how long you've had them, as well as questions about what you were doing when you first began noticing symptoms or shortly before. And you'll be asked about other allergies you may have and if you or a close relative has asthma. Based on your responses, you may be prescribed medication to help relieve symptoms and control the allergic reaction, or additional allergy testing may be recommended.

Why do allergies occur?

Allergies develop when the body's immune system reacts, or overreacts, to a stimulus like pollen, dust, dander, food or medication, triggering a response that elicits symptoms like coughing, sneezing, hives or breathing difficulties. Some allergies occur at specific times of the year in response to the growth cycles of trees, shrubs and plants, while others may occur all year round.

What is allergy testing?

Allergy testing uses special techniques to apply suspected allergens to small sections of skin, which are then covered with bandages. After a specific period of time, the areas are checked for signs of reactions to determine which substances are causing allergic reactions.

What treatments are available for allergies?

Many allergies can be treated with oral or topical medications aimed at addressing specific symptoms like coughing, sneezing, or watery or itchy eyes. In severe reactions such as swelling of the throat or mouth, epinephrine shots may be needed. Allergy shots, or immunotherapy, can also help by desensitizing patients to allergens over time.