Are you struggling with hay fever symptoms, food allergy reactions, or a similar immune system disorder? In many cases these conditions can seriously affect your quality of life and potentially even put your health at risk. Fortunately, seeing an immunologist could be your first step towards freedom from these complications. Let’s explore how an Atlanta immunologist can help you improve your life for the better.
What Treatments Does an Immunologist Offer?
An immunologist is focused on diagnosing and treating conditions involving the immune system, such as allergies, asthma and sinusitis. While immunologists may specialize in a variety of disorders and treatment approaches, they most often help patients in the following ways.
Accurately Diagnose an Allergy
Before allergy treatment can begin your immunologist will need to identify the allergen or allergens that cause the reactions. Some people feel that they already know their allergy triggers, while others know something’s wrong, but have not reached a conclusion. However, it’s important to understand that in every case a thorough diagnosis is needed. The process might involve skin prick tests, blood tests or patch tests to diagnose various allergies like food allergies, hay fever (allergic rhinitis), contact dermatitis and so on.
Develop a Personalized Allergy Treatment Plan
An allergy treatment plan considers a person’s medical history, the severity of the symptoms, the medications they are currently taking, as well as the results from testing. This detailed approach demonstrates why you need an immunologist if your symptoms detrimentally impact your health and well-being.
An allergy plan may involve avoidance strategies for specific allergens, medications to control symptoms (such as antihistamines, nasal sprays or eye drops for hay fever), or even immunotherapy to desensitize your body to the allergens over time.
Immunotherapy for Long-Term Desensitization
For those willing to be consistent during the treatment process, immunotherapy is among the most effective ways to cope with an allergy. Immunologists help patients build a tolerance to specific allergens using therapies like allergy shots for allergic rhinitis or oral immunotherapy for food allergies. While many allergists can provide treatments for allergies, only a limited number of immunologists offer immunotherapy treatments.
Managing Severe Allergic Reactions
Immunologists educate patients on managing severe allergic reactions, including the use of emergency medications such as an epinephrine auto-injector. If a person develops a fast pulse and extreme breathing difficulties, understanding how to properly administer epinephrine is vital.
Checkups With an Immunologist
From children outgrowing an allergy, to cases where symptoms get progressively worse over time, many allergies can be expected to change. Immunologists help people deal with such changes, offering support and allergy management guidance. Your immunologist may recommend getting tested for allergies to assess the current state of the condition and potentially make amendments to the treatment plan.
Professional Immunologist Serving Atlanta and Beyond
At Chacko Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center, we treat adults and children for a range of allergies. Visit an immunologist at one of our locations in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Canton, Cumming, Druid Hills, Duluth or Johns Creek for help with lasting allergy care. Call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment today.
