Allergy

allergyAllergy is a condition in which an abnormal response of the immune system occurs when a substance is either eaten, touched, or inhaled. This reaction can cause symptoms that adversely affect your overall quality of life. Any substance that triggers this abnormal immune response is called an allergen, such as pollen, dust, animal dander, and mold.

Why Should Ear, Nose and Throat Doctors Treat My Allergies?

Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Allergy Physicians (also known as Otolaryngic Allergists) are specifically trained to identify and treat those parts of your body that most commonly manifest allergy symptoms and associated diseases.

Many of the health problems that an ENT physician encounters are due, directly or indirectly, to allergies. Chronic nasal congestion, postnasal drip, chronic sinusitis, middle ear disease, nasal polyps, hearing loss, dizziness, headaches, and chronic sore throats may all be due to allergies.

Our goal here at COA is to diagnose and treat all relevant factors that cause these upper respiratory symptoms. When allergy testing and immunotherapy are done under our care by specially trained clinicians, we can more closely monitor our patients’ progress and provide them with good continuity of care.

What to Expect

An allergy testing appointment can take from 1 to 2 hours, depending on how allergic you are.

Allergy testing begins with a prick skin testing method on your forearm. Its purpose is to discover any underlying allergies due to dust mites, mold, pollens, and animal dander.

We will then use this information to do a more detailed allergy test called Modified Quantitative Testing or intradermal testing on your upper outer arms. This involves injecting minute amounts of antigens under your first layer of skin and measuring the skin’s response.

Allergy testing may result in fatigue; therefore, any strenuous physical activity after testing is not recommended. 

Approximately a week after your testing, you will revisit your COA physician to evaluate the testing results and determine a proper treatment plan.

Preparation for Allergy Testing

The Allergy Department will contact you after you have scheduled your testing appointment. At that time your insurance benefits will be reviewed as well as the medications you are taking.

DO NOT TAKE the following medications prior to allergy testing:

  • Antihistamines such as Claritin, Clarinex, Zyrtec, Allegra, Xyzal or Benadryl for 7 full days prior to allergy testing
  • Over-the-counter antihistamines such as cold and sinus remedies or sleep aids such as Tylenol PM within 7 full days prior to testing.
  • Tagamet, Pepcid, Zantac 7 full days prior to testing as these also contain a form of antihistamine.
  • Tricyclic antidepressant medications: These medications must not be taken for 7 full days prior to testing. You must first talk to your prescribing doctor before you stop these. He/she will probably substitute with something else. Not all antidepressant medications are tricyclic.
  • Beta Blockers: These are medications that are used for high blood pressure, migraine headaches, heart problems, or glaucoma. You cannot take any beta blockers for 7 full days prior to testing.  DO NOT STOP TAKING BETA BLOCKERS WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR PRESCRIBING PHYSICIAN. 
  • Astelin, Astepro, and Patanase nasal sprays must be avoided for 7 full days prior to testing.

Taking any of the above medications can alter your allergy test results or make testing dangerous! If you are unsure about a medication, please ask the nurse prior to your appointment or call the allergy department at 867-7814.

You are ALLOWED TO TAKE:

  • Steroid nasal sprays
  • Sudafed (plain) for a decongestant
  • Singulair
  • Inhalers: If you have a rescue inhaler (albuterol), please bring this to the testing appointment.
  • You may eat and drink the day of testing.

Please wear a loose, short-sleeved, or sleeveless shirt or blouse to your testing appointment. In an effort to make this test accessible for all our patients, we would appreciate at least a week’s notice for cancellations.

What About Allergy Shots? (also called Immunotherapy)

There are two options for allergy treatment:

  • Allergy injections: Allergy shots are the most individualized treatment available to treat allergies. Results of allergy skin tests are used to make up treatment vials of substances (allergens) to which you are allergic. The allergy injections are administered weekly in the office.
  • Allergy Drops: For those who prefer self administration, we offer allergy drops (SLIT). This type of treatment allows for those who cannot make a weekly appointment for injections. Just as the injections are individualized for each person, so are the drops. The drops are placed under the tongue daily at home. Visits to the office are greatly reduced.

Allergy services are provided at North Care on selected days of the week.