How Can an Allergist Help you with Treatment and Diagnosis?

by ENT Allergy Health and Wellness Center

To diagnose if you are prone to any kind of allergies or allergens, an allergist will ask you thorough questions about the symptoms that you experience. Signs such as watery eyes, itchy throat, runny nose, sneezing can indicate allergies. If you visit a qualified and experienced allergist in Manhattan; you will need to undergo several tests to evaluate if you are allergic to something.

Your allergist may advise you to keep track of what causes allergy and what are the possible triggers. He may ask you to keep regular records of what you are eating or drinking that may have triggered the allergy. This will help to identify particular food items that are causing allergy and if you are able to figure it out, stop eating those food items immediately.

Allergies Can Occur to People in Any Age-Group

If you ever feel that you are suffering from any particular kind of allergy; it is vital to visit an allergist instead of a general physician to avoid inaccurate diagnosis. Allergies can hit anyone, regardless of gender, age or health conditions. Children can pick allergies at the very early stage of their childhood; in such cases, visiting a pediatric allergist in New York becomes important.

Several tests might help to identify the actual cause behind the allergy. These tests include:

Blood Test: Your allergist may perform radioallergosorbent test (RAST), also referred to as IgE blood test or ImmunoCAP testing to detect the actual cause of allergy. The blood sample will help to measure the counts of allergy causing antibodies (named as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies) in the bloodstream.

Further, this blood sample is sent to the laboratory where these samples will be tested against the possibility of sensitivity to allergens (such as pollen or peanuts). There are many allergists in New York that offer skin and blood test facilities at their clinics itself. A blood test is not as recommended as an allergy skin test as the latter is more accurate and cost-effective as well.

Skin Test: It is quite possible that you will be required to go through a skin test. Your allergist will prick your skin and expose that specific area to allergens (suspected allergy-causing items). You will be observed for any signs of an allergic reaction(s). The results and observations from the skin test will help your allergist in Manhattan to develop an effective allergy treatment plan. This plan will include the name of the items to avoid, medications, or allergen immunotherapy.

Skin tests are widely used for diagnosing common allergic conditions such as:

Allergic asthma
Food allergies
Hay fever
Latex allergy
Dermatitis
Bee venom allergy
Penicillin allergy

Though the allergy skin tests are safe for people of all age-groups, including kids and infants; it is not recommended to undergo this test if you are: