If you’re ready to get your allergies under control so you can visit Pike Nursery without experiencing symptoms, the first step is to call an allergist. Allergists are experts who can evaluate the severity of your allergies, determine what you’re allergic to and come up with a treatment plan. Below we review everything you need to know about your first appointment with an allergist.
Before Your Appointment
If you can, you should try to keep a diary of your allergy symptoms in the time leading up to your appointment. It doesn’t mean you can’t see an allergist until you have something documented; it will just make it easier for your allergist to make a diagnosis if they have this type of information.
You can use a notebook or a calendar to document when you experience allergy symptoms, what activities you were doing and what locations you were in leading up to the allergy attack. If you suspect you have food allergies, document what exactly you ate before exhibiting symptoms. Be sure to also track what type of symptoms you experienced.
Your allergist may want to conduct an allergy test during your visit. If so, they may advise that you refrain from eating, drinking or taking certain medications for a time before your visit. Be sure to follow these instructions carefully.
During Your Appointment
Your allergist will ask questions about your family’s medical history, your personal medical history, what strategies you’ve tried for managing allergies and what has been effective.
They’ll also give you the opportunity to ask your own questions, so we recommend preparing some in advance. Some examples of questions you can ask include:
- How can I change my environment or lifestyle to prevent my symptoms?
- What outcomes can I expect from treatment?
- What are the possible side effects of the medications you’re prescribing?
- What tests are available to determine what’s causing my symptoms?
After Your Appointment
You and your allergist will work together to come up with a treatment plan that works for you, which may include a combination or practicing avoidance of known allergens, making lifestyle changes to reduce symptoms, taking prescription medications and/or undergoing immunotherapy. It’s up to you to follow through on the treatment plan.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call ENT of Georgia North today.
