Allergies
Allergy Shots, Testing, and Treatment
Many people suffer from seasonal allergies, food allergies, and pet allergies.
It’s highly important for people to be aware of what they are allergic to. It is valuable information to any physician that may be treating you. In some cases, knowing your allergies may even save your life! For this reason, our office provides extensive allergy testing. We test our patients for allergic reactions stemming from a variety of sources, such as inhalants, foods, metals, latex, chemicals, and fragrances. Allergy testing can be performed through skin tests or blood tests and is used to diagnose conditions such as hay fever and asthma.
The results of allergy testing can help guide your ENT provider in the development of an allergy treatment plan which may include medications, allergy shots (immunotherapy) or lifestyle changes.
Common Allergy Symptoms
Treatment Options For Allergies
Allergy Testing
Allergy testing can provide you with invaluable information and enable our doctors to recommend a course of treatment such as medications, environmental controls (staying inside during peak pollen times, for example), and allergy shots.
It’s highly important for people to be aware of what they are allergic to. It is valuable information to any physician that may be treating you. In some cases, knowing your allergies may even save your life! For this reason, our office provides extensive allergy testing. We test our patients for allergic reactions stemming from a variety of sources, such as inhalants, foods, metals, latex, chemicals, and fragrances.
The two primary types of allergy tests we use are skin tests and blood tests. Skin tests are the most common type of allergy testing and are particularly effective for diagnosing allergies to pollen, mold, dust mites, animal dander, insect stings, and certain foods. Blood tests may be beneficial for people who cannot undergo skin testing due to certain skin conditions, medications, or allergic reactions.
Following the testing, your ENT provider will interpret the results in the context of your medical history and symptoms to create an individualized treatment plan. This plan may include allergy medications, immunotherapy (such as allergy shots), or strategies to avoid specific allergens. Ultimately, the goal of allergy testing is to help you live a healthier and more comfortable life.
Allergy Shots
Allergy immunotherapy is considered one of the most potent treatments available for allergies. While individual responses may vary, it has been shown to significantly alleviate allergy symptoms in a large percentage of patients, outperforming medication-based treatments in certain instances. Apart from mitigating allergy symptoms, immunotherapy is also recognized for its capacity to combat the fatigue often associated with allergic reactions.
Immunotherapy is typically delivered through weekly injections. It is designed to offer flexibility; missing a session occasionally doesn’t typically lead to adverse consequences. A standard immunotherapy regimen lasts about a year, though some individuals may require treatment for up to three years, depending on the severity and type of their allergies.
Comprised of naturally occurring substances, these injections can significantly decrease the need for other forms of allergy medication. This makes it an ideal treatment for individuals who, for instance, own pets they’re allergic to, or are regularly exposed to their specific allergens. It’s always important, however, to discuss your personal circumstances and potential treatment options with your Port Huron ENT provider.
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