An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to typically harmless substances. These substances are called allergens and can include environmental substances, such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, mold or food such as dairy, gluten, and peanuts, and medication, including penicillin and some antibiotics.
When someone with allergies comes into contact with an allergen, they may experience symptoms, such as congestion, sneezing, nose and mouth itching, red and watery eyes, wheezing, eczema and hives, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis. The symptoms of allergies range from inconvenient to debilitating.
If you have a problem with allergies, an allergist can help you control them better so you can prevent serious complications and focus on the important things in your life. Let’s talk about how an allergist can help you with this condition and where you can go in to find the best allergist if you are located in Georgetown, TX.
What Can an Allergist Do?
An allergist specializes in treating allergies and is highly knowledgeable and trained in testing and diagnostics. An allergist can help you with your allergies by finding out your triggers most accurately through a review of your medical history and allergy testing, and formulating a treatment plan most suitable for you. An allergist can also advice you on how to avoid your triggers and respond quickly and effectively to your symptoms.
Allergy Testing & Evaluation
Allergists will often use two of the most commonly used allergy tests: skin and blood tests. A skin prick test aims to determine if someone is allergic to a particular substance. This involves placing a small amount of the allergen on the person’s skin and then making a small puncture in the skin. If the person is allergic, they will usually have an immediate reaction, such as redness, swelling, or itching at the site. Another common type of allergy testing is blood tests, which measure the levels of antibodies in the blood that are specific to certain allergens. The IgE antibody test is a blood test that measures the levels of IgE antibodies in your blood, which are produced by your immune system in response to an allergen. This test can help diagnose allergies to pollen, latex, stinging insects, and certain foods.
An allergy treatment plan may not be as effective without the definitive results brought on by allergy testing. Finding out your triggers brings you closer to better coping with allergies.
Allergy Treatment
There are many different treatments for allergies, depending on the type of allergy and the severity of the symptoms. Antihistamines, steroid creams, bronchodilators, epinephrine, and immunotherapy are some known treatments for allergies. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct structural problems in the nose that are contributing to allergies
Many people are unaware of how much help an allergist can provide and how much better they can feel daily with the appropriate allergy treatment. Allergists provide a personal approach, and treatments that are almost always individualized to the patient.
Allergist in Georgetown, TX
With appropriate allergy treatment, you can breathe better, sleep better, have more energy, and have better health overall. Dr. Scott William Franklin, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor in Georgetown, is highly experienced in allergy testing and treatment. We perform all types of allergy testing in our ENT clinic.
To know more, phone the Allergy & Sinus Center at Georgetown ENT today at (512) 869-0604 or use our convenient online appointment request form.
