Monthly Archives: July 2017
How to Prepare for a Visit to Your Allergist?
If you have decided to seek professional help in managing your allergy symptoms, it is time to see an allergist. Before scheduling an appointment, you must know the general tips regarding how to prepare for your first visit. Refer to the guide below to get started.
When to see an Allergist?
People often deal with allergy symptoms for years before they finally decide to seek treatment. A lot of symptoms can be managed using decongestants and antihistamines, especially for those who are just experiencing seasonal allergies. On the other hand, some individuals have to go through serious symptoms or experience those symptoms for an extended period, which in turn impacts their ability to lead a normal life. In such cases, you should think about seeking professional help.
You should especially seek medical attention if OTC medications fail to provide relief or if you find yourself taking these medications for a never-ending period. Since these medicines have a temporary effect, they lose their effectiveness over time.
Prepare a symptoms journal
For effective allergy management, your allergist will need to know the exact time of the year, allergy sparklers, and circumstances in which you experience those symptoms. If for example, your symptoms are more severe during spring, after 5 hours of working in your yard, this is critical information for your allergist to know. If you mainly have food allergies, then maintain a food journal where you write down all the symptoms related to what you consume.
During the visit
Your allergist will likely collect from you a complete family medical history, which is why it is important for you to have as much information on hand as possible. Before your appointment, research about your personal medical history, including any childhood allergies. Dig deep for your medical records and bring them along. The allergy specialist may also inquire about any past medications you have taken, and whether any of those have been successful in alleviating your symptoms. For this reason, it might be a good idea to bring along any sprays, creams, medications or ointments you have used in the past for the allergist to review during the visit.
Reach the office prepared, and ask questions, lots of them. Good questions include: “what to expect from the treatment plan?”, “Are there any side effects related to the prescribed medicine?”, “what tests are available to me that will help determine the cause(s) for my allergic reaction?”, and “do I need to make some changes to my lifestyle or the environment?”.
Remember that your first appointment is the perfect opportunity for you to get acquainted with the allergist, address your concerns, and see if you can have a long-term association with the allergist.
Are you looking for the best allergist in New York City? Contact us today, and we will help you schedule an appointment with the right allergist.
Call our offices at 212-319-5282 to schedule an appointment.
When is It Time to See an Allergist?
It is not uncommon for individuals to suffer year after year with symptoms that affect the quality of their life. Allergy symptoms are very common and can often be controlled fairly easily with over-the-counter medication. At other times, however, there’s more to the treatment than that. This is when you’ll need a professional to step in and assess your condition, but how do you know when it is time to finally let them take charge?
You have no idea about the cause of your allergies
If you are experiencing unexpected allergy attacks with seemingly no cause (change of weather, dog fur, insect bites, etc.), it is probably best that you see an allergist who will be able to carry out a test for different irritants so you can be sure what exactly your body reacting to. It could be either an irritant or a combination of different things.
You are taking a lot of OTC medicines
Over-the-counter allergy medication is supposed to be a temporary means of relief. If you are visiting a relative with a furry pet, you may want to bring along some Zyrtec. However, if you are consuming it every day, or taking large quantities of it, it is not healthy. Common side effects of antihistamines include dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, and in extreme cases, kidney damage.
Difficulty breathing
Having a clogged nose is one thing, but a swollen throat can prove to be life-threatening. If you are experiencing severe shortness of breath or hives in addition to your allergy symptoms then don’t take any chances with OTC medication.
It is impacting your quality of life
Are your allergies stopping you from doing certain things and going to certain places? Do you have to wait for long for your allergy medication to take effect? Alternatively, do you feel reluctant to go out with your friends, go camping or anything similar to have fun just because of the fear of suffering an allergic reaction? If you nodded yes to any of these questions, then do yourself a favor and visit the allergist.
How can an allergist help you?
An allergist can help:
- Confirm the diagnosis of asthma or allergies
- Identify any potential stimulators of your asthma or allergic symptoms
- Examine your symptoms and explain the reason(s) behind them
- Prescribe medication and treatment plans after assessing your symptoms and test results.
- Re-assess treatment plans and medication if needed
The treatment you receive from an allergist can range from allergy shots to a non-drowsy prescription medicine. The professional may also give you tips for monitoring allergens in your home, like throwing your pillows in the dryer once every week or keeping pets out of the bedroom.
Once you are tested, you may also choose to go with alternative treatments, like naturopathic or acupuncture and holistic remedies.
If you are unsure of where to start, contact us today and we will hook you up with the best allergist in New York.
Call our offices at 212-319-5282 to schedule an appointment with the best allergist in New York City.
Serving all of New York City and the Tri State Area including Zip Codes: Top Allergist NYC Midtown, Chelsea and Clinton: 10001, 10011, 10018, 10019, 10020, 10036 | Gramercy Park and Murray Hill: 10010, 10016, 10017, 10022 | Greenwich Village and Soho: 10012, 10013, 10014 | Lower Manhattan: 10004, 10005, 10006, 10007, 10038, 10280 | Lower East Side: 10002, 10003, 10009 | Upper East Side: 10021, 10028, 10044, 10128 | Upper West Side: 10023, 10024, 10025
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