The severity of allergies can range from mildly irritating to life-threatening. There are a wide variety of symptoms that come along with allergic reactions, but all of them have one thing in common. They all require treatment by an Allergist in Evansville IN.
Those who have recently been diagnosed with allergies, or suspect that they may be to blame for one or more health problems, may experience some apprehension over their first visit to their specialists. This article is intended to offer some information about what to expect in order to assuage any nagging fears about upcoming visits.
Initial Assessment
Expect the initial assessment with an allergist to take between two and three hours. During this visit, the doctor will conduct a physical exam and an environmental evaluation. He or she will ask about patient history, including any drugs currently being prescribed, and perform an analysis of any symptoms.
Skin Tests
Skin tests are simple procedures performed on a patient’s back. They involve making small scratches with a tiny instrument that resembles a plastic toothpick, which is first impregnated with a very small amount of one single potential allergen. Patients who are allergic to the substance will develop small bumps that resemble mosquito bites.
Intradermal Tests
Patients that do not respond to external skin tests may require intradermal tests. One or both of these tests will help the allergist to determine a unique allergy profile. This profile describes both personal triggers and severity.
Deciding Upon a Treatment Plan
Once a patient’s unique allergic triggers are determined, the doctor will work with him or her to determine a treatment plan. This plan might involve allergen avoidance, targeted medications, or immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots.
What Next?
Patients who receive immunotherapy will usually require two shots per week for three months. After this initial period, injections are given weekly for a full year. They are then spaced out over the course of an additional three to five years, at which point the patient’s immunotherapy will be completed.
Contact a Specialist Today
Ready to get started? Find an Allergist in Evansville IN who can help. Visit Dr. Steven Smith for an initial consultation.
