Allergy symptoms can be varied. The allergic rhinitis patient often presents with fits of sneezing, profuse runny nose, post nasal drainage, cough, itching and redness of the eyes, and itching of the nose. However, these symptoms can vary from patient to patient and any one symptom may take precedence over the others. Often allergic rhinitis is seasonal, as with ragweed or grass allergy, but it can also be perennial with allergens such as house dust, mold, or animal danders. The ability to have allergies is inherited; if there is one allergy (like cat) there is a much greater likelihood that there are other allergies which are not as acute or obvious.

Like any other medical appointment the doctor will discuss the medical problem and take a medical history of the present illness. He will ask questions about past medical history of illnesses, surgeries, or hospitalizations, and discuss ongoing conditions unrelated to allergies as these conditions (such as hypertension or hypothyroidism) may bear some significance in treating allergies. A family history will provide the allergist with the needed information about allergies in other family members as allergies are inherited. An environmental history is also an essential part of the allergy evaluation. As pets, bedding, smokers, and heating and air conditioning systems may all play a role in allergies. A medication and food allergy history will be taken and factors that trigger the allergy symptoms will be discussed such as what time of the year symptoms are most prevalent. After the history a physical examination usually centering on ears, eyes, nose, throat, sinuses, neck, and chest is preformed. Unlike most physical exams part of the allergy examination will involve a thorough examination of the nose with a lighted speculum or a fiberoptic device called a rhinoscope. This is a small flexible tube which is inserted into the nose to examine the nasal structures.

Skin tests are usually preformed to determine the spectrum of airborne allergens that trigger allergic symptoms. These tests, contrary to public opinion, are not exceedingly painful. Small drops of allergen (e.g. grass, ragweed, animal dander, or food) are placed on the upper-arm (adults) or back (children) and a device is used to prick or puncture the top layer of skin. Although multiple allergens are often tested, the time to apply all the tests rarely exceeds a minute or two. At 10 minutes positive skin reactions (mosquito bite like swellings and redness) are measured and recorded. To determine the degree of the reaction or sensitivity to an allergen, intradermal (small injections under the first layer of skin) skin tests are performed. These test are also measured and recorded at the end of 10 minutes. The whole skin test procedure rarely takes more than one hour including technician time to prepare the materials.

Many treatments are available for patients with allergic disease. Avoidance of the offending allergen (such as house-dust or cat) is most effective. Many medications are available to treat allergies. Prescription antihistamines, decongestants, and topical anti-inflammatory medications are available to treat allergies and these medications can help patients with allergic rhinitis. Several inhaled bronchodilators and anti-inflamatory medications are available to help asthma patients with acute symptoms and as preventative medications. Allergy injections (immunotherapy) are often helpful in managing acute diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, urticaria (hives), and stinging insect allergies.

Allergy injections are a method of treating patients with hayfever and asthma. Small amounts of an allergy extract (pollens, molds, animal danders, or dust) are injected at regular intervals into the patient to build up protective antibodies and decrease the patients sensitivity. Injections are administered into the side of the arm with a very short small gauge needle. These injections are given just under the skin in the subcutaneous layer. After a buildup period, a high percentage of patients respond with favorable results and are able to tolerate exposure to offending allergens without a significant allergic reaction. Since a small percentage of patients can have a reaction to the injection, patients usually wait 10-20 minutes in the doctors office after the injection.

New forms of treatment allow patients to build up on allergy injections within a few weeks rather than months. This type of treatment is only offered by Board Certified Allergists. See article in Texas Monthly May 2005.

In the past allergists have relied on records and memory to ensure that the patient receives the proper allergy injection. Severe life threatening reactions can occur if the patient is given the wrong extract, and patients with the same name present a problem. Patients require weekly injections, and long in-office waits during busy injection periods resulting in poor patient compliance (missed shots).

To address these problems Allergy Associates helped develop the Photomedic Allergy Assistant. This scan-in registration system allows rapid safe administration of allergy injections. Injection errors are minimized through a digitized photo activated by UPC code on the patients scan card. Allergy Associates is proud to have helped develop and be the first to use this unique system for injections and allergy extract mixing.