Do I Need to See an Allergist?
Whether you have allergies that have been diagnosed or believe that you suffer from allergies and haven't sought treatment, it's imperative to seek an allergist's help to manage your symptoms. At Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia, our board-certified allergists specialize in allergy, asthma, sinus, and skin-related conditions.
Keep reading to learn why you should see one of our board-certified specialists at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia to treat your allergy symptoms.
Top Reasons to See Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia for Treatment
1. Your Symptoms Will Worsen Without Treatment
If left undiagnosed, your allergy symptoms will not only continue but worsen over time. Whether your allergy triggers stem from environmental allergens or food allergens, exposure to these particles can leave patients with symptoms ranging from a stuffy nose to anaphylaxis (a serious, potentially life-threatening reaction).
Also known as allergic rhinitis, allergies if left untreated can cause the following chronic complications:
- Chronic ear infections
- Chronic sinusitis and nasal inflammation
- The development or worsening of asthma symptoms
- Sleep apnea or other sleep issues.
- Permanent damage to your lungs or reduced lung capacity.
2. Your Allergies Can Cause Other Medical Conditions
An allergic reaction is an immune reaction, which means that your immune system is triggered when exposed to an allergen and works to protect your body. Therefore, an allergic reaction can trigger your immune system's multiple reactions, including other conditions such as asthma or eczema.
If you've been around a friend or family member's pet or taken a walk outside when trees and plants are in full bloom, and shortly after experienced wheezing and tightening in your chest, you've likely experienced allergy-induced asthma. In this case, your allergy symptoms are causing the tightness in your chest.
Patients with allergies may also experience sinus infections, skin reactions such as hives or eczema, and other symptoms. Seeking treatment from a board-certified allergist is the best way to treat your conditions.
3. Our Allergists are Board-Certified
At Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia, our allergists are board-certified, which means that they have extensive training and experience with all conditions related to allergies, asthma, and immune-related skin conditions.
Our board-certified specialists at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia know that no two patients can be treated the same way. This we take the time to accurately diagnose your allergy and asthma symptoms and develop a treatment plan that will help improve your everyday comfort.
Services Offered at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia
Allergy Testing and Treatments
Utilizing the best technology available, our board-certified specialists can perform a comprehensive allergy test, which looks for the following conditions:
- Allergies (including environmental and food allergies)
- Dermatitis
- Hay Fever
- Hives
During an initial exam, our experienced doctors use these allergy testing methods to identify allergic triggers and sensitivities:
- Patch Test: used especially to diagnose dermatitis, a suspected allergen is placed on to a patch, which is then placed on the skin of the upper back.
- Intradermal: a small amount of one or more potential allergens is injected just below the skin of the arm.
- Scratch/Prick: a potential allergen is placed on the skin's surface to look for a reaction.
Once our team has identified specific allergens, we develop an allergen extract and prepare the extract in either tablets or drops — known as sublingual immunotherapy. Our extensive and effective sublingual immunotherapy treatment plans at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia include allergy drops, allergy shots, and other medications.
Our board-certified, highly experienced allergists direct our immunotherapy program at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia, and our shot program has been proven to reduce allergy symptoms by 80-90% for most people.
Asthma Testing and Treatments
Breathing tests are the top way our board-certified specialist diagnoses your asthma symptoms. We'll take a complete medical history, and then perform spirometry. During the exam, a patient will be asked to take a deep breath and blow into a sensor that measures the amount of air their lungs can hold and the speed of the air you inhale or exhale. These results allow us to diagnose the severity of a patient's asthma and monitor how well existing treatments are working.
To improve your quality of life and help you breathe easier, Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia offers the following asthma treatments:
- Controller medications
- Combination inhaler
- Leukotriene modifiers (oral medications)
- Quick-relief/rescue medications.
- Oral and intravenous corticosteroids
Sinus Condition Treatments
Sinusitis is typically described as nasal congestion, facial pressure, thick nasal discharge, and chronic cough. We recommend a complete allergy evaluation for patients who suffer from acute sinus infections 3-4 times more each year.
Antibiotics can be used to reduce symptoms or shorten the length of infection if necessary. However, our board-certified specialists offer the following treatments for allergy-related sinusitis:
- Allergy Shots
- Corticosteroid Nasal Sprays
- Steroid Shots
Skin Condition Treatments
Just as allergies can cause asthma and sinus-related issues, they can also cause skin irritations and conditions. Most common, our allergists at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia treat contact dermatitis, eczema, and urticaria (hives).
While topical ointments can help reduce inflammation, swelling, and itchiness, additional treatment options include:
- Antihistamines
- Immunosuppressants
- Corticosteroids
- Allergy Shots
Biologic Treatments
Often for a patient with multiple conditions, our board-certified specialists at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia recommend using biologic treatment methods that target the immune system. With this form of treatment, a patient can experience relief from more than one condition without the need for multiple medications.
A biologic is a type of medication derived from living organisms. It can be used to target specific areas of the immune system and prevent inflammation. Due to its effect on the immune system, our board-certified specialists at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia use this technology to treat a wide variety of conditions, including:
- Allergic asthma
- Asthma
- Eczema
- Chronic sinus infections
These treatments are especially beneficial for patients who have not improved their symptoms after using daily controller medications.
Allergy Treatments in Metro Atlanta
At Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia , our highly-qualified medical team provides diagnosis and treatment of chronic asthma, allergies, and sinus conditions. Speak to one of our Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia board-certified allergy specialists about the possibility of allergy drops or shots to find relief for your allergy symptoms.
Our board-certified doctors understand that these conditions may cause severe discomfort and offer a no-wait appointment policy that ensures you receive immediate care.
Schedule your same-day and next-day appointments with Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia of Georgia, and take advantage of our telemedicine services to avoid the hassle of coming into the office! Our team of board-certified allergy specialists will discuss your options and recommend an appropriate course of treatment. Contact us at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia or visit us online to book your appointment.