Northside ENT Specialists allergy test is a skin scratch test with antigen attached to it. The prick only reaches the top layer of the skin. It’s relatively painless. We label each test spot with the specific allergen that’s placed there.
If the area swells and becomes red, like a mosquito bite, the test for that allergen is positive. We can often know within 15 minutes what the allergy trigger is.
After an allergy test is complete and we find out what you are allergic to, we can begin allergy immunotherapy. Allergy immunotherapy is a long term allergy treatment that helps decrease the body’s allergic response to seasonal allergens. By serving up regular, tiny doses of the things you are allergic to in shot, drop or pill form you can build up your body’s immunity to these things. Essentially you’re training your body to be less sensitive to the things it finds offensive such as grass and tree pollen.
Seasonal allergies (also known as allergic rhinitis) usually requires ongoing treatments including medications, nasal rinses and nasal sprays. Immunotherapy including allergy shots and sublingual drops improve your tolerance to airborne allergens over a period of time.
While allergy medications get less effective over time, shots and drops tend to get more effective over time. Immunotherapy helps to desensitize and provide symptomatic relief for patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma.
Allergy treatment takes a level of commitment. The treatment plan you choose has a great deal to do with what allergens you are allergic to AND what your lifestyle looks like. If you know you cannot make it in once a week for shots, drops might be a better option. Don’t worry, you won’t have to make this decision alone. Your doctor and allergy nurse will work with you to find the best treatment plan for your individual needs. We want to see you healed from seasonal allergies and we’re going to do it together.