An allergy and asthma specialist is a medical doctor who has completed training in diagnosing and treating allergic and asthma conditions. They may also be called an allergist or immunologist. They can provide various services, including skin testing, immunotherapy, and respiratory diseases, such as asthma management. Duluth GA allergy and asthma specialists work with patients to develop a treatment plan that addresses their specific needs and helps them manage their symptoms.
These are some of the services you can expect from an allergy and asthma specialist:
- Skin or blood tests to identify allergens
- Lung function tests to assess asthma symptoms
- Allergy shots (immunotherapy) to build a tolerance to allergens
- Medication management, including prescription and over-the-counter options
- Education on how to avoid allergens and manage symptoms
- Referral to other specialists, such as a pulmonologist or ENT
Here are some reasons why you may want to see an allergy and asthma specialist:
Difficulty controlling allergies or asthma symptoms
Difficulty controlling allergies or asthma symptoms can be a reason to see an allergy and asthma specialist. An allergist can provide more specialized care and treatment options if over-the-counter medications or treatments are not effectively managing your symptoms.
An allergist can perform tests to identify allergens and create a customized treatment plan that may include a combination of medications, immunotherapy, and lifestyle changes. An allergist can also monitor your symptoms and adjust your treatment plan to help you achieve better symptom control. Additionally, an allergist can help you develop an emergency plan in case of severe allergic reactions or asthma attacks.
Recurrent or severe allergic reactions
Recurrent or severe allergic reactions are a good reason to see an allergy and asthma specialist. An allergist can help identify the cause of your allergic reactions and develop a plan to prevent future reactions.
An allergist can perform various tests to determine what you are allergic to, such as skin tests, blood tests, and provocation tests. Once the allergen is identified, an allergist can provide education on how to avoid the allergen and offer treatment options such as allergen immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots.
Multiple allergies or asthma
When you have multiple allergies or asthma, managing all of your symptoms and health concerns can be challenging. An allergy and asthma specialist, an allergist, or an immunologist, can provide comprehensive care and coordinate with other specialists to manage your health concerns.
An allergist can perform tests to identify all the allergens you are allergic to and create a customized treatment plan. They can also help you manage your asthma symptoms and provide a treatment plan that may consist of inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and other medications.
Difficulty breathing or chest tightness
Difficulty breathing or chest tightness can be a symptom of asthma, a chronic lung condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. In this case, seeing an allergy and asthma specialist can help determine your asthma and develop a treatment plan.
An allergist can perform lung function tests, such as spirometry, to assess how well your lungs are working and measure your asthma symptoms. They can also perform other tests, such as peak flow measurement, to monitor your asthma over time.
If you are asthmatic or have allergies, talk to your doctor at Allergy and Asthma Institute, LLC.
