​How Are Environmental Allergies Treated?

 

The initial step in the treatment of an allergy is an accurate diagnosis. Achieving an accurate diagnosis involves deciding whether the patient’s symptoms are caused by an allergy and, if so, determining what triggers the allergy as accurately as possible. The resulting diagnosis will target the appropriate treatment or clinical intervention to help eliminate or minimize symptoms.

 

Allergy testing identifies allergens, like mold, pollen, and pet dander, that can cause allergies. A skin prick test is a common allergy test. The results can help diagnose allergies and allow you to take steps towards managing your allergy symptoms.

 

What does an allergy test do?

 

Allergy tests measure your body’s response to specific allergy triggers or allergens. If you have an allergy, your immune system mistakenly identifies the allergen as a threat or invader. Your body then produces antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE) to fight off the threat. These antibodies trigger the release of chemicals that cause an allergic reaction.

 

How should I prepare for an allergy test?

 

For accurate testing, you will need to stop taking allergy medications like antihistamines five days before your allergy testing appointment. These medicines can interfere with test results by stopping your immune system’s response to allergens. You should continue to take asthma medication if you need it.

 

What should I expect during an allergy test?

 

The purpose of skin tests is to see how your body responds to allergens. If you have an allergic reaction, you’ll develop a reaction at the site of the scratch or prick. Mild allergy symptoms, such as itchy skin, watery eyes, and congestion, are common. Most symptoms clear up in one to two hours after the test, but the redness or bumps may remain for several hours. In rare cases, a severe reaction occurs. This is why skin allergy tests are performed in our offices.

 

How long does allergy testing take?

 

It depends on what allergen your provider is testing you for and the type of test. Here’s what you can expect:

• A skin prick test can take three to five minutes per allergen, plus the 15 to 20 minutes you wait to see if a reaction occurs.

 

What does a full allergy test consist of?

 

You may hear people call allergy tests a complete, full, or comprehensive panel. They’re probably referring to a test that checks your allergic reaction to several of the most common allergens. For example, this could mean your allergist checks for trees, grass, weeds, molds, dust, and pet dander, as they’re the most common airborne allergens.

 

What are the risks of allergy testing?

 

The potential for an anaphylactic reaction is the most serious risk of allergy testing. This type of reaction is extremely rare. Your healthcare provider prepares for this risk by having emergency epinephrine nearby during allergy testing.

You may feel itchy or sore or begin developing allergy symptoms during allergy skin tests. This is normal, and how your provider can determine if you have an allergy. They have medication to give you to help with this.

 

When should I get my allergy test results?

 

You’ll get your results of most allergy tests immediately after testing, while at our office.

 

What do the results of an allergy test mean?

 

Allergy test results may be:

 

• NEGATIVE: You aren’t allergic to that antigen. It’s rare to get a false (incorrect) negative allergy test result (meaning the test says you don’t have an allergy when you actually do).

• POSITIVE: You’re allergic to that antigen.

 

What happens if I have an allergy?

 

Depending on your allergy, we may recommend one or more of these steps:

 

Minimize Exposure to Allergens

 

Avoid known allergens if you can. This could mean staying indoors when pollen counts are high due to a pollen allergy. You should take extreme precautions to avoid allergens that can cause severe reactions.

 

Take Daily Allergy Medications 

 

Medications like nasal sprays and antihistamines can prevent or reduce allergic rhinitis and other symptoms. Your healthcare provider may recommend other allergy medications depending on your symptoms.

 

Immunotherapy

 

Allergens are substances that cause your immune system to overreact, which leads to allergy symptoms. Allergy immunotherapy is an allergy treatment that works by exposing the person to small doses of an allergen. The dose is gradually increased so that over time, it lowers the sensitivity and increases immunity (tolerance) to the allergen. This treatment can slowly help reduce the severity of symptoms and frequency of allergy attacks. Immunotherapy requires a three-to-five-year commitment to achieve maximum benefit. Immunotherapy provides long-lasting relief, even after you complete the series.  

 

Many people with allergies to airborne substances have allergic reactions affecting the eyes (allergic conjunctivitis), nose (allergic rhinitis), and lungs (allergic asthma). Most people use antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, and inhalers to treat these symptoms. Allergy immunotherapy has been very effective in addressing these symptoms and helping reduce reliance on allergy medications.

 

Immunotherapy can be received through weekly injections in a doctor’s office or sublingually (placed under the tongue) at home daily.  

 

Allergy Shots

 

Allergy shots are injections that you receive over a long period of time to help reduce or even prevent allergy symptoms. Allergy shots contain trace amounts of allergens. They slowly desensitize your body to allergens by changing your body’s reaction from inflammation to tolerance. Over time, the allergen amount in your shot increases. This helps strengthen your immune system so that you have no allergic reaction or a minor reaction the next time you encounter the allergen.

Allergy shots must be given in a doctor's office under observation so that possible adverse reactions can be treated.  

 

Allergy Drops

 

Sublingual immunotherapy is a relatively new approach to delivering allergy immunotherapy — the medicine is placed under the tongue (sublingually).

Sublingual allergy drops are made from the same raw materials as those used in allergy skin tests and allergy shots. The FDA has long approved these extracts for allergy testing and shots, but they are not currently approved for sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in the US.  Sublingual immunotherapy has been used in Europe for years.​