You are not alone if you suffer from allergies, in fact, millions of Americans have them. Allergies can appear at any age and can even disappear in childhood, only to reappear in adulthood. We have been on the cutting edge of allergy therapy providing traditional immunotherapy as well as convenient sublingual immunotherapy (allergy drops).

Allergy is a condition, often inherited, in which the immune system of the affected person reacts to something eaten or in the environment. People often think of allergy as only “hay fever”, with sneezing, runny nose, nasal stuffiness and itchy, watery eyes. However, allergies can also cause symptoms such as chronic sinus problems, postnasal drip, head congestion, frequent colds, recurring ear infections, hearing loss, dizziness, chronic cough and asthma. Even stomach and intestinal problems, many skin rashes, chronic headaches and fatigue can be symptoms of allergies.

The following represent circumstances under which a patient should seek a consultation with an Otolaryngic Allergist:

When suffering from an ear, nose or throat symptom
When allergy or ear, nose or throat symptoms are not adequately controlled
When special diagnostic allergy tests are needed
When specialized treatment such as immunotherapy is needed
When other related ear, nose and throat medical problems, such as chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, fluid in the middle ear, chronic ear infections, deviated septum, vocal disturbances, or enlarged adenoids or tonsils may be present
When complications associated with treatment or difficulty in controlling allergy symptoms are affecting the patient’s quality of life

If you feel you need allergy testing, please talk to your doctor.

Why seek the care of an Otolaryngic Allergist?

An Otolaryngic Allergist is also an ear, nose and throat specialist and is able to efficiently diagnose and treat disorders of the upper respiratory tract (ear, nose and throat) caused by allergic conditions.

When to see an Otolaryngic Allergist

The following represent circumstances under which a patient should seek a consultation with an Otolaryngic Allergist:

When suffering from an ear, nose or throat symptom.
When allergy or ear, nose or throat symptoms are not adequately controlled.
When special diagnostic allergy tests are needed.
When specialized treatment such as immunotherapy is needed.
When other related ear, nose and throat medical problems, such as chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, fluid in the middle ear, chronic ear infections, deviated septum, vocal disturbances, or enlarged adenoids or tonsils may be present.
When complications associated with treatment or difficulty in controlling allergy symptoms are affecting the patient’s quality of life.

Diagnosing Allergies

If you think you have allergies, talk to one of our physicians. Your physician will take a detailed history of your symptoms and living habits and give you a physical exam. When allergy is suspected, only an allergy test can tell you for sure if you are allergic and what might be triggering your symptoms.

Allergy Testing

Allergy skin testing identifies the specific allergens triggering your problem, allowing better avoidance and reduction of your symptoms.
Allergy skin testing is a relatively pain free process performed by applying allergens on the skin (of the forearm) with a gentle skin based applicator and then under the skin with a very small injection. If a welt appears at the testing site, there is sensitivity to that particular allergen. These simple allergy testing methods give your physician the information required to design an effective treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, using a combination of avoidance techniques, medications and possibly allergy shots.

Allergy Treatment

Once you know what’s causing your allergy symptoms, our physicians can help you decide which course of treatment is best for you. A negative result from your allergy test means you and your doctor will need to further investigate possible causes. If you have a positive allergy test, there are three possible approaches your doctor can take:

Tips for Controlling Allergy Triggers

Nasal allergies are most often triggered by one or more of four kinds of allergens; pollen, mold, house-dust mites, and animals. Pollen is a problem only during certain times of the year. lt’s the most common trigger of “hay fever” or seasonal nasal allergies. House-dust mites, mold, and animals are the most common triggers of perennial nasal allergies. Irritants and pollutants can make allergy symptoms worse. Avoiding exposure to allergy triggers helps control your symptoms.

Medications

Medications frequently control allergy symptoms – these may include antihistamines, anti-leukotrienes, decongestants and nasal steroid sprays.

Sublingunal Immunotherapy(SLIT) “Allergy Drops”

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), also known as allergy drops, has been used in the U.S. for more than 35 years, with research dating back 40 years. Its use dates approximately 100 years in some parts of the world. Yet, many allergy sufferers have heard little about this treatment option. Thanks to an increase in European research over the past decade and tremendous growth in the use of allergy drops worldwide, we now have valid scientific evidence that corroborates what many have know for decades—allergy drops are both safe and effective. Sublingual immunotherapy will likely prove to be one of the most important innovations in allergy treatment in the past century.

Immunotherapy (allergy shots)

Immunotherapy is a treatment program designed to reduce allergic sensitivity to environmental allergens including pollen, dust mites, mold spores and animal dander.

Other Treatments

Avoidance – The first and most basic treatment step is eliminating or avoiding contact with the allergens causing your symptoms. Our allergy nursing staff will educate you on several easy techniques you may use to help improve your allergy problems. Unfortunately, avoiding some allergens (such as dust, molds and animals) is often difficult and thus allergen avoidance alone may not be effective.