allergy

Allergy

Comprehensive Allergy Treatment in Metro Richmond, VA

Many people suffer from seasonal allergies, which can range from mild to debilitating. At Virginia Ear Nose and Throat, we know just how disruptive they can be to daily life. We are proud to offer allergy testing and allergy treatment to help our patients understand the cause of, and find relief from, bothersome symptoms.

What Are Allergies?

Our team specializes in a variety of common conditions and complaints. At Virginia Ear Nose and Throat, the most common allergy that we treat is Allergic Rhinitis, also known as hay fever. People with Allergic Rhinitis experience a reaction in the form of chronic respiratory inflammation. As opposed to reactions triggered by food, people with this type experience an exacerbation of symptoms when exposed to inhaled allergens such as grass, tree and ragweed pollen, dust, mold, pet danders and dust mites.

ALLERGY SYMPTOMS

Patients with Allergic Rhinitis can suffer from a range of respiratory symptoms. Some people experience symptoms year-long and others experience them on a more seasonal basis. Symptoms include:

  • Congestion

  • Conjunctivitis

  • Sneezing

  • Cough

  • Itchy nose

  • Postnasal drip

Allergic Rhinitis can also lead to serious conditions such as asthma, eustachian tube dysfunction, ear infections, laryngitis, eczema, sleep apnea and recurring sinus infections. If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to us about scheduling allergy testing. We want to help you feel good all year long!

Allergy Testing at Virginia Ear Nose and Throat

If you are experiencing these symptoms, our provider will discuss your medical history and perform a physical evaluation. If allergies are suspected, your provider will recommend testing. Skin testing is the gold standard for diagnosing allergies. For your convenience, skin testing is completed in our office. However, not all patients are good candidates for this method of testing, and your provider may recommend another type of testing, such as a blood test, instead. Blood testing is completed out of office.

There are two different parts to the skin test. The first part of the test consists of pricking the skin and placing a tiny sample of the allergen on top of the skin. The second part of the test consists of injecting a tiny amount of the allergen underneath the first layer of the skin. This injection is called an intradermal. After applying the allergen, your nurse will wait 10-20 minutes before checking for reactions. If you are allergic to a specific substance, your body produces immunoglobulin E (IgE), which releases certain chemicals that cause an allergic reaction. During a skin test, this reaction appears as a raised, itchy, red mark on the skin, also known as a wheal. The severity of the wheal helps determine the severity of the allergy.

Expertly Treating Allergies

After discussing the results of your test, your provider will meet with you to determine an allergy treatment plan. Sometimes, a patient’s symptoms can be controlled with the use of over-the-counter medication. For patients with more persistent symptoms, we recommend Immunotherapy administered through allergy shots, sublingual drops or tablets. Immunotherapy is the only scientifically proven way to limit the immune response to allergens.

Types of Immunotherapies

We offer several forms of Immunotherapy treatments to patients who suffer from chronic Allergic Rhinitis. Your provider will help determine what type of allergy treatment will be most effective for your body. Our goal is to provide safe, effective relief. We offer the following immunotherapy treatments:

With the right regime, shots are a great way to provide long-lasting, effective relief to patients with chronic symptoms. We treat patients with shots right here in our office using a phased dosing schedule that works! During the first phase, also called the buildup phase, patients receive shots every week for 6 to 12 months. During this part of the treatment, your provider will instrumentally give you more allergens to build your tolerance. Once patients “build up” tolerance to the maximum dose, your Virginia Ear, Nose and Throat provider will increase the time between shots from weekly to monthly dosing. From there, subcutaneous immunotherapy treatment lasts between 3 to 5 years.

Perhaps more convenient than shots, patients administer SLIT therapy from the comfort of their own homes. With this type of immunotherapy, patients apply a predetermined amount of allergenic extract under their tongue, holding it there for two minutes before swallowing. SLIT can be ramped up much more quickly than shots, and the build-up phase can be completed in just ten days. However, many health insurance providers do not cover SLIT. SLIT patients complete treatment within 3 to 5 years.

SLIT tablets are FDA-approved and only treat one specific allergen—either pollen or dust. To administer oral tablet immunotherapy, patients place the tablet under their tongues.

Keep In Mind

While receiving Immunotherapy, it’s important to visit your provider for regular exams. During these checkups, your provider will evaluate your progress to help determine the effectiveness of the therapy and to adjust the dosage if needed. We prioritize the health and safety of our patients above all else. All patients who undergo Immunotherapy with us receive an epinephrine autoinjector, or EpiPen, to protect against the rare chance of anaphylaxis. Our experienced team is happy to help train or remind patients of how to use an EpiPen.