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If you’re feeling tired all the time, your throat is constantly sore, or you have a stuffy nose and itchy eyes most of the time, then you probably might be experiencing symptoms of allergies. But when should people see an allergist?
Read our article on: Do I Have Covid or Seasonal Allergies?
The answer to this question varies depending on what type of allergy symptoms someone is experiencing. For example, if someone experiences seasonal allergies such as hay fever- they may want to consult with an allergist to discover how best to treat their condition. However, if a person is suffering from chronic sinusitis caused by allergies- they may not need an allergist because antibiotics can usually do the trick!
What are Allergies?
Allergies are your body’s natural immune response to substances it deems as a threat. You can trace Allergies to many variables. Triggers from allergies vary from pollen, dust, foods, fur, insects, mold, and certain animal dander. Trigger symptoms include watery, itchy eyes, sneezing, and an irritated throat.
In extreme allergy cases, anaphylactic shock or anaphylaxis can occur.
Antihistamines, commonly found in over-the-counter medications, such as Benadryl, Zyrtec, and Claritin, can treat allergy symptoms. Some non-medical treatments include:
- Dust your home frequently.
- Frequently clean or change the air vent filters in your home.
- Wash your clothes after being exposed to allergens.
- Purchase an air purifier for your home.
- If you have more intense allergies, avoid being outside for long periods at a time.
- Wash your face and hands after being outside or exposed to allergens.
If these forms of treatment are not effective, you may need to visit an Allergy Specialist or if your symptoms are imposing on your day-to-day life. See an Allergist when you have these symptoms:
- chronic sinus infections
- Rashes or body blisters
- prolonged nasal congestion
- difficulty breathing.
Please let your doctor know how intense your allergies are so they can find suitable treatment options for you.
What is an Allergist?
The Allergist is a specialist in the body’s response to allergies. To become an allergist, one must have at least a bachelor’s degree or another advanced degree in medicine and three years of residency experience and immunology training for four more years before graduating with certification from the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. After finishing this process, they need two to three more specialized allergy training periods until they may practice their craft freely.
Finding an Allergy Plan
To provide you with the best and most accurate treatment, your Allergist may want to perform an allergy test. For seasonal allergies, they will administer a skin test that can help identify what allergens are bothering you from either airborne or food contact sources and any potential reactions that could occur if exposed again in future allergic episodes. Some people might have little to no reaction, while others will be sensitive to everything on this diagnostic tool during testing due to their individual body’s natural responses when encountering new substances; some of these include Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever), Asthma Attacks, Atopic Dermatitis (Skin Reactions) and even Anaphylaxis Shock Symptoms depending on how severe one is being affected by specific allergen
A follow-up on your test might be needed. Depending on the test results, your Allergist will prescribe medication, discuss how to prevent allergen triggers, perhaps even recommend sublingual immunotherapy as an innovative alternative.
We hope the information we gave you is helpful.
Image by Anastasia Gepp from Pixabay
References
When Should You See a Doctor for Allergies? – GuruMD
When to See an Allergist | U.S. News (usnews.com)
Seasonal allergies: Nip them in the bud – Mayo Clinic
When To See Allergist | Symptoms & Treatment | ACAAI Public Website
When to See a Doctor for Your Allergies (webmd.com)
www.hopkinsmedicine.org/otolaryngology/specialty_areas/sinus_center/sublingual_immunotherapy.html
Allergy Testing: Purpose, Procedure, and Results (healthline.com)
