When Should I Get Tested for Allergies?

Are you experiencing consistent sneezing, coughing, wheezing, and postnasal drip down the back of your throat? Does your skin break out in rashes or hives? Do you live with itchy, watery eyes or itchy, runny nose? You may be allergic to something in your environment.
Listed below are some questions to ask if you are wondering whether to get tested for allergies or not:
Are your allergies limiting your lifestyle?
Do your allergies limit you from going to outdoor events, people’s homes, or weekend trips? Most allergy sufferers get worse symptoms when they are around pollen, mold, and pet dander.
Do you have a medicine cabinet full of allergy medications?
If you are living on allergy medications regularly, and you still have symptoms, it may be time to look for a more permanent solution. Start with getting an allergy test to see what your specific allergens are and how to help you with them.
How often do my allergies bother me?
You should consider allergy testing if your allergy symptoms last longer than two weeks and keep returning. On average, acute sinus and allergy problems should last no more than four weeks. Chronic sinus and allergy problems can last eight-to-twelve weeks. Chronic allergies linger for years and can cause more long-lasting illnesses.
Do over-the-counter medications alleviate all your symptoms?
Over-the-counter allergy medication such as Benadryl or Zyrtec can help you get through peak allergy seasons. If over-the-counter allergy medications and prescription medications aren’t effective, it may be time to talk with your doctor about allergy testing. In many cases, it can be more convenient, and economical, to undergo immunotherapy (allergy shots) to alleviate your symptoms permanently. An allergy test is the first step in diagnosing the problem and coming up with a long-term solution.
Allergies still bothering you even though you’re avoiding the suspected allergens?
It’s not unusual for patients to come seeking treatment for pet dander allergies only to discover that your furry loved one is not the problem! In most cases, people are guessing what they are allergic to instead of finding out the exact substance. You may not be allergic to the things you are trying to avoid. It might be something totally different. An allergy test helps us isolate the core problem and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
What is immunotherapy?
Allergen immunotherapy is a form of long-term treatment which can decrease your allergy symptoms of allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, conjunctivitis (eye allergy) or stinging insect allergy. Allergy shots decrease sensitivity to allergens and often leads to lasting relief of allergy symptoms even after treatment is stopped. Allergy shots are a cost-effective, beneficial treatment approach for many people that suffer from allergies.
Hillandale Primary Care & Laser Center is owned and operated by Dr. Saira Tariq Niaz, who is a board-certified family physician with offices in Lithonia and Lawrenceville Georgia. Hillandale Primary Care provides patient-focused, compassionate healthcare of the highest quality to each patient and delivers acute and chronic healthcare to patients of all ages. We are passionate about preventive medicine and encourage each of our patients to take an active role in maintaining overall health and wellbeing. Call today at 770.322-9660 or request an appointment.