Who are allergists?
Allergists are physicians, also referred to as immunologists. They are experts in diagnosing, managing, and treating allergies, asthma, and immunological disorders. These conditions can affect organs in people of all ages and can be very common or rare. The most common allergies are from pollen, dander, medications, or certain food items.
To begin practicing as an allergist in the United States, one requires an additional nine years of education after acquiring a bachelor's degree. Once they pass medical school, doctors must attain a three-year-long internal medicine or pediatrics training. They must subsequently pass an examination conducted by the American Board of Internal Medicine or the American Board of Pediatrics.
An allergist diagnoses and treats immune system issues. Some of their responsibilities are to:
- Test for allergies to pollen, foods, and other triggers.
- Prescribe medications or devices to prevent, treat, and reduce the severity of asthma attacks or allergic reactions.
- Suggest lifestyle changes to avoid asthma and allergy triggers.
- Give allergy shots or other immunotherapies to reduce allergic reactions.
- Recommend ways to prevent infection while living with an immune disorder.
- Perform drug sensitization for safely taking medications.
- Diagnose immunodeficiency disorders.
An allergist uses one or more types of tests depending on the type of allergy. Some of these tests are:
- Skin scratch/prick tests where the skin gets lightly scratched with an applicator containing a small amount of allergen.
- Blood tests in which a sample of blood is tested to see signs of allergies to certain substances.
- Food challenge tests where a person gets monitored while given increasing amounts of food they may be allergic to.
- Lung function testing can help diagnose and manage asthma.
What are some conditions treated by allergists?
Allergists commonly treat conditions such as:
- Allergic rhinitis: Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is an allergic reaction to tiny air particles. Many indoor and outdoor allergens can cause hay fever, such as dust mites, pet dander, and pollen from trees. Hay fever is non-contagious, and the symptoms include nasal congestion, sneezing, and irritation in the nose, throat, mouth, and eyes.
- Asthma: Bronchial asthma affects the lungs and requires ongoing medical management. Common triggers include air pollution, dust mites, pests, mold, tobacco smoke, and strong chemicals. Symptoms of asthma include chest pain, pressure or tightness with coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
- Eczema: Eczema is a condition that weakens the skin's barrier function, which is responsible for retaining moisture and protecting it from outside elements. People with allergies, hay fever, and asthma are more likely to have eczema. Its symptoms include dry, itchy, scaly, crusty, flaky, and swollen skin.
- Hives: Hives are raised red bumps or splotches on the skin, occurring when your body has an allergic reaction. They can be itchy, burning, or stinging and may look different depending on the person and the situation. Common signs of acute hives include raised bumps on the skin, itchy skin, swelling under the skin causing puffiness, and painful swelling of lips, eyes, and inside the throat. On the other hand, chronic hives may change in size and shape, disappear, and reappear over long periods.
- Sinus infections: In sinusitis, the tissues lining the sinuses are inflamed or swollen. Sinuses are the structures inside the face filled with air and can be irritated by bacterial infections, viral infections, and allergies that block them and fill them with fluid. Symptoms of sinusitis are postnasal drip, runny or stuffy nose, facial pressure, ear pressure or pain, fever, bad breath or taste, cough, headache, and tiredness.
When should you see an allergist?
Not all allergies are diagnosable on the face of it. Some require expert evaluation. The following experiences may indicate that you need to consult with an allergy specialist near you:
- Over-the-counter medicines are not helping: Knowing one has an allergy often makes them believe they no longer need medical intervention. However, this is not true. For example, if you have seasonal allergies like hay fever and are trying to self-medicate and treat them, you might still need to see your specialist. It becomes even more crucial when the medications available at your local pharmacy do not relieve you. Allergists can provide you with prescriptions for more appropriate medicines to help you feel better.
- You have chronic sinus or ear infections: Bacteria and viruses may not always be the cause behind all allergies. However, they can make you prone to developing more conditions. Your sinuses or ear tubes can become blocked by inflammation, resulting in hampered drainage, and this paves the way for infections that an allergist must examine.
- You are experiencing insomnia or chronic snoring: Some diseases can lead to inflammation in the sinus cavity, making it harder to breathe while asleep. Such discomfort can result in insomnia or snoring. It is advisable to seek an allergist's attention if such issues persist for a long time to determine whether allergies are the cause and, if so, gain relief from them.
- Frequent irritation in the throat or mouth: Food allergy symptoms can reflect itchiness or soreness in the throat or mouth. It can be challenging to identify minor food allergies, and thus, an allergist's expert intervention may become necessary.
How does an allergist reach a diagnosis?
Identifying allergens, i.e., factors that trigger an allergy, can be challenging. It is because most symptoms are sneezes, hives, etc., which can be signs of various issues in the body. Thus, if you suspect an allergy, scheduling an appointment with an allergist near you is recommended to identify the cause so that proper treatment can begin.
An allergist makes a diagnosis using three steps:
- Your specialist will begin by taking down your medical history. They will enquire about your family history, lifestyle choices at home or work, ongoing medications, etc. They will also try to understand your symptoms by asking specific questions.
- Subsequently, they will take your physical examination if they think you have an allergy. They will closely examine your nose, ears, throat, eyes, lungs, and skin. They may conduct X-rays, lung function tests, or other diagnostic interventions.
- Lastly, your allergist will perform blood, patch, or skin tests to determine your allergen. Some standard tests an allergist conducts involve a skin prick test (placing a drop of the potential allergen on the skin and waiting for a reaction). Other tests include intradermal testing (injecting a small amount of allergen into the skin's outer layer), blood tests (taking a blood sample, adding possible allergens to it, and measuring the antibodies formed), etc.
What happens during your first visit to an allergist?
When preparing for your initial appointment with an allergist, it is important to follow any instructions given by the clinic. This could include filling out health history forms or avoiding certain foods and drinks before the visit, especially if testing is scheduled. Being prepared in advance helps ensure that your allergist has everything they need to conduct a thorough evaluation.
On the day of your appointment, do not forget to bring a detailed list of your current medications, supplements, and relevant medical records. You should also check in with the allergist's office beforehand to confirm if there are any ongoing COVID-19 precautions. Some clinics may still require masks or may limit the number of visitors allowed inside, so it's wise to ask in advance if someone is accompanying you.
Your visit will likely begin with a nurse recording basic health data, including your weight, height, blood pressure, and heart rate. After this, your allergist will meet with you for a detailed conversation about your health history. Be prepared to discuss any known allergies, ongoing symptoms, previous treatments, and family medical history. This helps the allergist understand patterns and potential causes of your allergic reactions.
Your allergist may also recommend one or more diagnostic tests to identify what substances trigger your allergies. Some tests, such as skin prick testing, can be done during the visit. Others, like blood tests, might require scheduling a follow-up or visiting a lab. Once results are available, your allergist will create a unique treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms.
By the end of the appointment, you should leave with a better understanding of your allergy triggers, guidance on how to avoid them, and possibly a prescription for medication. Do not forget to ask any questions—writing them down in advance can be helpful.
Strategies for preventing and managing allergic reactions
Creating an allergy management plan in collaboration with an allergist near you is essential for preventing allergic reactions and effectively managing allergies. The approach to controlling your allergies depends on the specific type of allergy you have. Here are some strategies for managing different types of allergies:
- Avoidance of allergens - Whenever possible, avoid allergens that trigger your reactions. Some allergens are easier to avoid than others. If complete avoidance isn't possible, try to minimize your exposure.
- Medication - Take your prescribed medications regularly to manage symptoms, alongside avoiding allergens.
- Epinephrine auto-injectors - If you're at risk for anaphylaxis, always carry your prescribed epinephrine auto-injectors. These are the only treatments for severe allergic reactions and come in sets of two.
- Diary keeping - Maintain a diary to track your activities, diet, symptom occurrences, and effective remedies. This can help identify triggers and improve management.
- Medical alert jewelry - If you've experienced severe allergic reactions, you can wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace to inform others during an emergency medical situation caused by your allergy.
- Emergency preparedness - Know the steps to take during an allergic reaction. Have a written anaphylaxis emergency action plan and ensure you understand it. In case of a severe reaction, call 911 immediately instead of attempting to drive to the hospital, as emergency services can provide immediate aid.
Recognizing and responding promptly to allergic reactions can be lifesaving. Always consult an allergy specialist near you with any questions or concerns about your allergy management plan.
Finding a top-rated allergist in Washington, District of Columbia
Allergies can significantly lower one's quality of life. Visit an allergist to ensure that your allergy or infection does not keep you from living your life to the fullest. They can help not just manage allergies but even eliminate them. To find a suitable allergist, you can rely on Zocdoc.
Using its easy-to-navigate, user-friendly interface, you can enter the details of your area or symptoms to start your search. Zocdoc will display a list of the best allergists near you, with relevant information about their practice. By browsing through it, you can learn about their licensure, educational qualifications, experience, and areas of expertise. You can also become familiar with their awards, accreditations, ratings, insurance plans they accept, languages they speak, whether or not they treat children, etc. If your insurance plan isn't listed on Zocdoc, you can upload a photo of your medical insurance card for the system to scan and identify your plan. This feature is currently available only for medical insurance cards, not for vision or dental. For more insurance-related queries, refer to Zocdoc’s patient help center.
Should you encounter any issues with uploading your card, the Zocdoc service team is available to assist you. If you have any confusion regarding the jargon related to insurance, you can also refer to the insurance guide provided by Zocdoc (Health insurance 101).
After entering all the details, you will have a shortlist of practitioners who can fulfill your needs, and you can finally pick one allergist near you in Washington, DC, by relying on reviews left by previous patients. These can help you make an informed decision and are trustworthy, owing to the routine verification by Zocdoc. You can book an in-person or virtual appointment once you have chosen an allergy specialist near you. Zocdoc helps you set an appointment directly, securely, and at no additional cost.
Allergy statistics in Washington, District of Columbia
The 2021 data by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America listed the most difficult places to live with allergies. Washington, District of Columbia, was ranked seventy-second on the list. It scored 57.79, with the average score being 64.43. However, as per the foundation's seasonal rankings, Washington was sixty-first on the 2021 spring rankings and eighty-second on the fall rankings.
FARE found that in 2016, the top five states with the highest rate of claim lines with food allergy diagnoses, compared to all other medical claim lines, were North Carolina, North Dakota, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and Connecticut. The report also found that between 2009 and 2016, the most common foods that cause anaphylactic reactions were eggs, peanuts, shellfish, tree nuts, seeds, etc. Residents of Washington ages 5 and 13 were the most prone to food allergy, with those aged 65 and over being the least likely to have one.
Sources
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
WebMD
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America[1]
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America[2]
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America[3]
Food Allergy Research & Education
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Cleveland Clinic[3]
Cleveland Clinic[4]
Cleveland Clinic[5]
Cleveland Clinic[5]
SIU Medicine
