ALLERGY TESTING AND DIAGNOSIS
Finding out what you are allergic to is an important first step to effective allergy treatment. When combined with a detailed medical history, allergy testing can identify the specific things that trigger your allergic reactions. Allergy testing can be done as a skin test or a blood test. The most common is by exposing your skin to a variety of substances that can cause allergies and then monitoring your skin’s reaction. Positive reactions usually appear within 15 minutes. There is little or no pain, just the presence of red bumps that look and feel like mosquito bites.
ALLERGY TREATMENT
LifeTime Primary Care can help you live a life free of allergy discomfort. Once we have tested and determined the specific allergens that give you problems, we will lead you on a three-step treatment process: Prevention Once identified, the cause of the problem may be avoided. In some cases, this is all that is needed to live allergy free. Medication Sometimes, more than just avoidance is needed. It is not practical to eliminate all of your life’s pollens, molds, and other allergy irritants. In these cases, medications are used to ease allergy symptoms and improve quality of life. Our providers are experts in the latest safe and effective medications for treating allergies. Immunotherapy Sometimes, allergy treatment requires immunotherapy better known as allergy shots. This treatment involves introducing small amounts of purified extracts of the substances that are causing allergic reactions. The amount is enough to stimulate your immune system, but not enough to cause a full allergic reaction. Over time, your immune system will build up a tolerance to the allergen, and allergy symptoms will diminish. The length of time that a patient stays with immunotherapy treatment varies, but three to five years of semi-regular treatments are common.
Let’s talk about Asthma
Don’t let allergies interfere with your life. Come see our providers at LifeTime Primary Care today.
