The Testing and Treatment of Allergy:
Generally the choice to have allergy testing done comes after a series of steps. First, you will have a complete Otolaryngology evaluation. Then, necessary diagnostic information will be obtained from your exam and x-rays/CT scans, if needed. Finally, a trial of medical therapy will be initiated, usually including but not limited to antihistamines, antihistamine-decongestants, and/or nasal steroids. After all these steps, then allergy testing is done.
Skin testing is generally done as the “gold standard” of allergy testing. This involves determining a safe starting point for allergy treatment, determining the offending allergen, and measuring the degree of sensitivity. Small injections are placed on the arm in the most superficial layer of skin, progressing from weak to stronger dilutions of antigen. Allergy is determined by skin reactivity to the varying strengths of antigen.
You may be considering allergy shots, based upon your own understanding of your symptoms and their relationship to allergens in your environment. Immunotherapy involves receiving injections on either a weekly or twice weekly basis. They are administered until maintenance therapy has been achieved. You must plan to remain in the office for twenty minutes following testing and/or treatment injections. The period for allergy treatment is variable and there is not a universal standard that allows us to determine a specific period of time that you need to be treated. Some patients are able to decrease their shot frequency after two to five years. Some require treatment for an indeterminate period of time.
Our business office will be glad to assist you in researching your particular insurance coverage. They will review this with you, prior to your allergy testing appointment.
Allergy treatment is only successful to the extent that you are willing to invest your time and energy into achieving a successful result. Please carefully review the environmental control literature in this packet. Limiting environmental exposure is a part of treating your allergies. It is important that you make the necessary changes in your home situation, so you can minimize your symptoms.