A Complete Guide for Visiting an Allergy Specialist

An allergist is a specialized healthcare provider that works exclusively with allergies and immune disorders. You may be referred to an allergist by your primary care physician if you experience allergy or asthma symptoms or have an immunologic condition.

You may also need to see an allergist if you have seasonal allergies, but they do not respond to standard treatments. This article dives into everything you need to know to get started on finding allergy relief.

Allergy skin test

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What Is an Allergist vs. an Immunologist?

The terms allergist and immunologist are often used interchangeably because the two work on closely related conditions. In fact, in the United States, physicians are boarded in the combined specialty of Allergy & Immunology. Most physicians in this specialty are allergist-immunologists qualified to see people with allergies and immunodeficiency. However, the two are not one and the same.

Once physicians have passed their board exam in allergy and immunology, they can treat allergies and immunodeficient people. Some may only choose to see people with one type of condition, but most are qualified for both.

Clinical vs. Research

Immunologists may be either clinical or research-based. Those that work in clinical settings have more face time with people with these conditions, whereas those who are research-based spend most of their time in a laboratory or other research setting.

When to See an Allergy Specialist

You should see an allergy specialist if you experience allergies or asthma symptoms. Some possible allergies and asthma symptoms include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Breathlessness when exercising
  • Wheezing, whistling, or rattling sounds when breathing
  • Tightness in the chest
  • Coughing or feeling as though you have to cough
  • Sneezing and runny nose
  • Itchy, watery, or red eyes
  • Hives or a skin rash
  • Pain, pressure, or tenderness in the cheeks, eyes, or forehead
  • Diarrhea
  • Swollen lips, eyes, mouth, or throat

Many people that experience allergy symptoms often reach for over-the-counter (OTC) medication to address their symptoms. In a lot of cases, OTC remedies work.

In some cases, however, they do not. There are many treatment options available, so if OTC remedies don’t work, an allergist will work with you to find one that is.

Identifying Allergies

An allergist will run through various tests to determine what type of allergy you have. By doing so, they can help you find the proper treatment that will work for you.

Track Your Symptoms

If you have an appointment with an allergist, tracking your symptoms beforehand is essential. Much of their initial diagnostics will depend on your account of the symptoms you experience. If you can, you should write down:

  • The symptoms you are experiencing
  • When they begin or end
  • The activities you’re doing when symptoms strike
  • Times when symptoms feel more severe

By tracking all of these parameters, your allergist can get a better view of where to proceed when diagnosing and treating your allergies.

Easy Ways to Track

You can keep a journal of your symptoms and other factors pertinent to your allergy experience, or you can download one of many apps that allow you to input the information in one handy spot.

Making Your Appointment

The best way to find an allergist in your area is to speak to your primary healthcare provider. They will recommend an allergist based on your circumstances and location.

Alternatively, you can find an allergist through the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Their Find an Allergist tool allows you to type in your ZIP code to find those closest to you.

If it is your first time visiting with a new allergist, you will want to ensure you have all your healthcare records handy.

Doing so will give them a good look at your health background, how long you’ve been experiencing symptoms, and what treatments you’ve already tried to address your allergies.

During Your Initial Visit

Your first appointment will focus on background information and symptoms. This information allows your allergist to plan out testing and diagnostics so that you can find the proper treatment.

You can expect your allergist to ask about:

  • Your medical history, including existing and possible conditions, symptoms, and any family members that may experience the same symptoms
  • Your current symptoms, their severity, and how long they’ve been occurring
  • Your lifestyle, what you eat, and your home life
  • Any history of allergies when you were a child

They will also conduct a physical exam and allergy tests if they have enough information to go off of at that point.

Being Prepared

While you may not always have to undergo allergy testing on the first visit, many times, you will. That is why it’s best to prepare yourself for the tests. If you think you’ll need someone with you, bring a loved one to support you during the allergy testing process.

Questions to Ask an Allergist

You want to go to your appointment with an allergist prepared with questions to ask so that you can learn more about what you can be doing to help your symptoms.

Good questions to ask your allergist include:

  • What changes can I make to reduce allergy symptoms? This question will help you determine what you’re doing right or wrong in a way that affects your allergy symptoms. Because lifestyle can significantly impact your symptoms, it’s essential, to be honest with your allergist about your current lifestyle and be open to making any necessary changes.
  • What tests will you be using? Inquiring about what types of tests will be used will help you prepare for the testing portion of your visit. Since many can be used, it’s important to discuss your options.
  • What symptoms should I pay close attention to? While many allergy symptoms are mild, others can be medical emergencies. It’s important to note any changing or severe symptoms so that if you experience them, you will know what to do.
  • What are my allergy triggers? After you've been tested and diagnosed, you can learn about everything that may trigger your allergy symptoms. This can help you curb symptoms at home.

Some allergists will answer these questions unprompted, but it’s always good to have them on hand so that you can ask if you are unsure of what to do.

How Allergies Are Diagnosed

Allergies are diagnosed by:

  • Collecting health history
  • Examining symptoms
  • Conducting the appropriate tests

During the diagnostic process, an allergist will want to know everything about how you’re feeling so that they know how to proceed with testing.

What Happens During Allergy Testing?

There are several testing options for allergies, including:

  • Skin prick test: This involves pricking or scratching a small amount of allergen onto the skin to check for a reaction.
  • Intradermal test: Involves injecting a small amount of allergen underneath the top layer of skin 
  • Blood tests: To check for allergy markers in the blood.
  • Patch test: Involves exposing oneself to an allergen to see if a reaction occurs within one to three days.
  • Drug/food challenges: Involves consuming medication or food in small quantities. After a period of assessment, more of the food or drug is introduced into the body to see if there’s an allergic reaction. If there is a risk of anaphylaxis, this should be performed under the supervision of an allergist.
  • Lung function tests: Test how well your lung function is through a series of breathing measurements.

These tests may be performed on your first visit, so it's essential to be prepared. There are several things you can do to be ready for allergy testing, including:

  • Avoiding all allergy or antihistamine medications for seven days before the test (Claritin, Benadryl, cold and sinus medications, sleep aids, Zyrtec, Allegra).
  • Inform the healthcare provider if you take a tricyclic antidepressant. These sometimes interfere with testing, but you should not stop an antidepressant medication without discussing this with your prescribing physician.
  • Inform the healthcare provider if you take beta-blockers regularly. They may work with your primary physician to switch you off these medications if you have significant allergy concerns.
  • Inform the healthcare provider if you take a tricyclic antidepressant. These sometimes interfere with testing, but you should not stop an antidepressant medication without discussing this with your prescribing physician.
  • Avoid wearing scented perfumes, lotions, or moisturizers on the day of the test.
  • Avoid nasal antihistamines for one week before the test.

Can I Eat the Day of My Allergy Test?

You can eat or drink as you usually would on the day of your test.

After Your Visit

Once you have completed your first visit and your allergist has come up with a diagnosis, they will start to discuss treatment options with you.

Depending on the testing results, your specialist may recommend treatment options like:

  • Allergy shots that contain a minuscule amount of an allergen to train your immune system to no longer react to it
  • An EpiPen for more severe allergies
  • Prescription or OTC medications that include antihistamines or corticosteroids
  • Lifestyle changes to reduce symptoms, such as staying inside while pollen counts are high or avoiding foods or substances that trigger an allergic reaction

Discussing Treatments and Asking Questions

It can be overwhelming to learn about the various treatment options available to you from your allergist. It’s important to ask questions throughout the process if you’re uncomfortable with a particular therapy or are unaware of how each treatment works. It’s your body, and while you want to hinder your allergy symptoms, in many cases, you have control over what treatments you do and don’t try.

When to Seek Emergency Care

You should seek emergency care for allergies if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Your mouth, face, lips, and throat begin to swell and cut off your airways
  • An inability to breathe or talk
  • Rapid breathing that makes it feel as though you're gasping for air
  • You notice color changes to your skin, which can be seen on the skin, lips, or tongue, or in those with darker skin, on the palms or soles of the feet
  • Confusion
  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting that results in unconsciousness for a prolonged period
  • Children with severe allergic reactions could become limp, floppy, or unresponsive
  • Tightness in the throat or chest
  • Wheezing
  • You break out in a severe skin rash that is itchy, red, swollen, blistered, or peeling

These are all signs that you may be experiencing a severe and possibly life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Summary

An allergist is a specialized healthcare provider designed to help people find relief from their allergy symptoms. They focus on assessment, testing, and diagnostics in a clinical setting. With people with allergies, allergists will determine a treatment plan that works best for your specific allergy and symptoms.

If you experience allergy symptoms and have tried other OTC remedies without relief, you can contact an allergist for a more in depth look at what is causing your allergy and ways to treat it.

10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  2. UK National Health Service. Allergies.

  3. Informed Health for NCBI. Asthma - overview.

  4. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Testing and diagnosis overview.

  5. Northeast Allergy: Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. 5 questions to ask your allergist.

  6. Alpha Allergy and Asthma Associates. 7 types of allergy tests or procedures.

  7. Informed Health for NCBI. What kinds of allergy tests are there?

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  9. Health Link BC. Allergy shots for allergic rhinitis.

  10. UK National Health Service. Anaphylaxis.

Angelica Bottaro

By Angelica Bottaro
Angelica Bottaro is a professional freelance writer with over 5 years of experience. She has been educated in both psychology and journalism, and her dual education has given her the research and writing skills needed to deliver sound and engaging content in the health space.