POLLEN COUNT
Going in prepared for your visit to an allergy doctor helps you make the most out of your time in the clinic. There are going to be some important questions that the allergy doctor will be asking, and knowing how to answer questions, in great detail, helps ensure a smooth process.
Whether you or your child is seeing one, knowing what to expect helps you spend your time wisely and become satisfied with the outcome of the check-up. Let’s talk about what to expect from a visit to an allergy doctor.
Review of Your Medical History
You will need to share some important information with your allergy doctor. They will need as much information as possible, so do not forget relevant medical details. You should also bring along a complete list of the medications you are taking, as well as details such as:
- When symptoms started appearing
- What you were doing when you had the reaction
- How long symptoms lasted
- Photo or video documentation of the allergic reaction
- Treatments administered that relieved the symptoms
- Family and personal history of allergies
All of this information will aid the allergy doctor in determining what could have led you to develop the symptoms.
Physical Examination and Allergy Testing
If the doctor suspects allergies, they may perform a physical exam and allergy testing. The doctor may examine your skin, nose, throat, and lungs, depending on the type of allergy symptoms.
The allergy doctor may also perform allergy testing to determine what substances trigger an allergic reaction. The most common methods used to test for allergies are the skin prick test and a blood test. A skin prick test involves pricking the skin to introduce an allergen to the body, while a blood test involves testing the blood for the presence of IgE antibodies in the blood, which is produced by the immune system as a response to an allergen. Food allergies may be diagnosed using the oral food challenge, which entails feeding the patient controlled amounts of certain foods that are likely to trigger a reaction.
Do not hesitate to ask questions about allergy testing if you have concerns. Not all patients need to be tested for allergies, but many do, depending on certain factors.
Allergy Treatment Plan
Allergy testing helps the doctor make a diagnosis. If you are found to have allergies, your allergy doctor can design a personalized treatment plan, which may include allergen avoidance, medication, non-medical therapies, and immunotherapy. If you have concerns about the treatment plan or would prefer another type of treatment, let the allergy doctor know. Remember that you can advocate for your health.
Allergy Doctor in Downers Grove, Naperville, Elmhurst, and Plainfield, IL
You learn a lot from your first meeting with an allergy doctor, and after the visit, you will have a better understanding of what to do to respond to or prevent an attack. If you suspect that you or your child may have allergies, make an appointment with one of the allergy doctors at Oak Brook Allergists. Some allergic reactions that start with mild symptoms may progress to severe, potentially life-threatening reactions later on. So, it is best not to delay treatment.
Our doctors have great experience treating adult and pediatric patients with allergies and helping make their lives better. To schedule an appointment with us, call our allergy clinic nearest you or use our convenient appointment request form.
