Getting treatment for allergies
Allergy sufferers will soon be filing into doctor's offices all over the country, as spring allergy season gets underway. Approximately 35 million people in the U.S. suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis, characterized by the classic allergy symptoms - a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing. While most rhinitis cases are relatively easy to treat, some patients still struggle with symptoms that may require the care of a specialist such as an allergist/immunologist.
Collaboration between primary health care providers and an allergy/immunology specialist can help to identify specific allergy triggers, appropriate medication, therapy and prevention strategies to minimize exposure to triggers.
The goal of effective rhinitis treatment is to enable the patient to lead a life that is as normal and as symptom-free as possible.
Reasons primary care physicians will refer a patient to an allergist/immunologist include:
• Clarification and identification of allergic or other triggers for the patient's rhinitis condition.
• When medications are ineffective or cause adverse side effects.
• When allergen immunotherapy may be the best treatment options.
• When the patient's quality of life is significantly affected by symptoms or medications.
• When complications of rhinitis develop, such as asthma, sinusitis or otitis media (an infection associated with fluid in the middle ear).
• When patients require systemic corticosteroids to control their symptoms.
• When the duration of rhinitis symptoms is greater than 3 months.
• When education in allergen avoidance techniques is needed.
An allergist/immunologist is a physician certified in either internal medicine or pediatrics. They have completed an additional two years of training in allergy and immunology at an accredited training program. The allergist/immunologist, with his or her specialized training and expertise in managing allergies, allergic rhinitis, and asthma, can help you develop a treatment plan for each individual condition.
Source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) news release
