Tag Archives: Who Should See An Allergist?

Who Should See An Allergist?

If you are wondering who should see an allergist, anyone suffering from allergies should see one. An allergist is a professional that specializes in treating allergic conditions, and when you visit him, they will tell you what you are allergic to and how to avoid the triggers.

Some of the telltale signs that it’s time to see an allergist include:

  • You have obvious allergy symptoms such as a stuffy nose, watery eyes, and cough that have been around for more than 3 months and are making it hard for you to work or sleep.
  • You have tried a couple of over-the-counter medications, and none seems to work.
  • You frequently get plenty of headaches, sinus infections, ear infections, and a stuffy nose.
  • You snore or have trouble staying asleep.
  • You have other underlying health problems such as thyroid disease, heart disease, glaucoma, diabetes, enlarged prostate, kidney disease, liver disease, high blood pressure, etc.

What will the allergist do when you see them?

There are plenty of things the allergist will do. The common ones being:

Confirm that you are suffering from allergies

Even if you show all the allergy symptoms, only a doctor will confirm that you are truly suffering from allergies. The doctor will undertake a battery of tests and zero in on the actual allergy that you have.

You should note that sometimes you show allergy signs, yet you are having an infection. The allergy doctor will help clarify this after doing the tests.

Identify the triggers and advice you on what to do

After doing the allergy tests, the doctor will know the exact allergy you are suffering from and the things triggering the reaction. For example, if you are suffering from food allergies, the allergies might be triggered by nuts, milk, and other products. The doctor will help you determine the triggers.

Help come up with a treatment plan.

Knowing the allergy and triggers isn’t enough if you can’t treat it. The allergy doctor will help come up with a treatment plan to help you know what you need to do. The plan includes the kind of medicine to take and when to take it, ways to avoid the allergy triggers, and how to prepare for any serious reaction that might come about.

Different areas have different medications. The doctor will find out the available medications and advise you on the right ones to take.

What should you look for in an allergist?

While there are many allergists you can go to, not all are qualified to test and help you come with a treatment plan—you need to be cautious and ensure that you hire the right one.

One of the things to consider is the qualifications of the doctor. Has the doctor gone to school and got the relevant qualifications? You need to know about this.

You also need to consider whether the doctor is authorized by the relevant regulatory bodies to practice medicine in your local area. Finally, confirm the doctor’s experience. How long has the doctor been practicing? You need a professional that has been around for a long time.

When you find an ideal allergy specialist Manassas VA, ask as many questions as possible while in their office. The purpose of doing this is to gauge the doctor’s knowledge and understand your condition better. Some of the questions to ask include:

  • What are the reasons for my allergies?
  • Should I stop being outdoors?
  • Do I need to change my diet plan?
  • Will I need allergy shots?
  • How often should I take the medications?
  • How often should I come to the clinic for follow-up appointments?