Allergic reactions are not limited to pollen from outdoors or pet dander indoors. Many people suffer from allergies to foods, medications, and other aspects of their environments. You should seek help from an allergist if you know or suspect that you have an allergy and are unable to control the reactions or obtain relief. An allergist is a special type of doctor that has the training and experience to diagnose and treat allergy related illnesses. There are several types of tests that he can perform to help gain information about your body and how it reacts to allergens.
If you suffer from allergic reactions but are unable to pinpoint the source, your doctor may perform a skin test to help with a diagnosis. During a skin test, your skin is pricked by a very small needle containing possible allergens (one allergen per needle). If your skin reacts with a welt, then there is a good chance that you are allergic to that allergen. For instance, your doctor may prick your skin with allergens such as dust mites, milk, peanuts and eggs. If you react to any of these, your skin will show it by swelling slightly (about the size of a mosquito bite) and itching. This allows the allergist to better assist you in coming up with a plan to avoid the allergen and treat reactions.
Some allergies affect lung (pulmonary) function and breathing. You may have asthma or asthma-like symptoms that are triggered by allergens. Tests are available that will allow your allergist to create a plan to alleviate your symptoms and get you on a path to better health.
One thing to remember about allergies is that often the best plan of attack is the process of elimination. If tests are not definitive, you may need to keep trying until you find the culprit. While not the most streamlined method of diagnosis, it is likely the only way to find out what plagues your body. It is important to explicitly follow the instructions of your allergist to get the best results possible. He will work to help you as much as possible, but you have to be a willing and active participant in the process.
In some cases, it can be a bit difficult to get an appointment with this type of doctor. Since all insurance plans vary, you need to find out whether or not you need a referral. Once you can schedule the appointment, be sure to let the receptionist know how acute your symptoms are. Patients that are in acute distress are sometimes given a priority appointment to alleviate their symptoms. It never hurts to call and see if there is anything available sooner rather than later.
Working with an allergy specialist takes time and patience, but most patients agree that the results are worth it. If you suffer from allergies, this may be your best course of action as it certainly beats continuous suffering.
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