Allergist

A physician who specializes in the treatment and diagnosis of asthma and other allergic diseases is referred to as an allergist. A three-year training program in either pediatrics or internal medicine is necessary to become an allergist. Along with it, another 2-3 years of immunology or allergy is required to become an expert in the field. In the end, the physician also needs certification from the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.

Allergen

There are a number of triggers or allergens that cause these allergic reactions which include,

• Plant pollens,
• Molds,
• Cockroaches,
• Pets,
• Household dust (dust mites),
• Industrial chemicals,
• Feathers,
• Medicines,
• Insect stings,
• Animal dander,
• Insect stings
• A variety of food types, such as eggs, shellfish, nuts, and grains.

Allergies

The immune system in some people overreacts to some commonly harmless substance (which is called an allergen) and in reaction to that allergy symptoms are seen in them. The symptoms of allergies or asthma may take some time to develop. These symptoms become frequent, and the sufferers may start getting used to symptoms like wheezing, sneezing or nasal congestion. A significant amount of planning is required along with patience and skill to combat allergies and asthma in patients. The allergist’s role lies in the development of a treatment plan to enable the patient to lead a symptom-free, normal life.

Reasons for visiting an Allergist

If an individual continuously experiences allergy symptoms like,

• Hay fever
• Antihistamines or other medications start to prove useless in controlling allergy symptoms,
• Struggling to catch breath or being short of breath,
• Coughing or wheezing,
• Tightening of chest,
• Frequent asthma attacks,
• Decreased quality of life,
• Nasal congestion,
• Sinus infections

Allergy testing

Before undergoing a treatment of allergy, the initial step would be to figure out the reasons behind the allergy. So allergy testing is performed on the patients experiencing allergy symptoms. It may have a variety of side effects which in the case of skin tests, can be itching and swelling. In blood tests, the side-effects range from pain or bleeding at the needle marks to even fainting during the test.

• Skin tests

In one of the two types of skin testing for allergies, firstly a suspicious spot that holds the possibility allergen presence is scratched from the skin surface on the back of the forearm. Subsequently, doubtful allergens are tested and in the case of allergy, swelling and redness is seen at the test spot. In another type of skin test, some suspected allergen is injected into the arm or forearm.

• Blood tests

Even though blood tests involve one-time needle usage, but it takes a longer period to get results. Blood tests are even costlier in comparison to skin tests. Blood tests can be helpful in finding the following types of allergies.

• Pollen,
• Molds,
• Animal dander,
• Dust mites,
• Foods,
• Insect stings,
• Some medicines

Treatment

Two principal methods of treating allergies are Immunotherapy and medication.

• Immunotherapy

It is a preventive treatment for allergens such as house dust mites, grass pollens, and bee venom. It involves a gradual increase in the dose of allergens, to which the patient is allergic. This increment gradually makes the system insensitive to the allergen and ultimately making the body produce antibodies to block them. It reduces inflammation in case of asthma and rhinitis. There is a slight danger of anaphylactic shock involved in immunotherapy.

• Medication

Most common allergy medications used for controlling allergies are,

• Decongestants
• Antihistamines
• Corticosteroids, which are especially helpful in treating nose inflammations.