 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||
Other Allergy Topics
• Allergy Testing
• Allergy Medications Explained
Click for Today's Allergy Report
Allergy Testing
by Fauquier ENT Consultants • Last Modified 10/28/2007
This practice sees many patients with symptoms of allergy and has successfully provided treatment of inhalant allergies with allergy shots since the 1970s under the guidance of the practice's founder Dr. Manwaring (now retired). More recently, Fauquier ENT has added allergy drops under the tongue (sublingual immunotherapy or SLIT) as another mode of allergy immunotherapy treatment.
The preferred method that our office uses for allergy testing is RAST. RAST is a test performed by drawing your blood which is than sent out for analysis. The results take about two weeks. At this time, RAST is the only method of allergy testing we provide. Furthermore, our office requires the RAST testing be based on Fadal/Nalebuff RAST modification (also known as F/N MRT or mRAST). Please note that Quest Diagnostics at this time does NOT perform this type of RAST allergy testing and their results cannot be used to create vials for allergy shots/drops (more). Labs that do perform the appropriate RAST allergy testing include Labcorp and Commonwealth Medical Laboratories.
SET (or Set Endpoint Titration) is considered the gold standard and involves skin testing with needles and takes about 30-45 minutes. With SET, you will know the results of your allergy test immediately and may be able to receive your first shot that same day. However, with SET, a patient must not be taking any beta-blocker drugs for high blood pressure and must be off all anti-histamines for 7 days prior to the allergy test. Furthermore, it is quite uncomfortable with skin itching, irritation, and redness that may last several hours to days. With RAST, there is no need to stop taking any medications including anti-histamines and no adverse skin reactions. Please note that our office does not perform SET testing at this time.
Allergy control via shots / drops is provided for patients over the age of three years and who are not severe asthmatics. Individualized treatment plans are made from the results of the allergy testing. Patients are monitored carefully during immunotherapy until an effective maintenance dosage is reached. Most patients experience improvement in their allergy symptoms and a decrease in the need for medications within one year. However, complete allergy control with allergy shots/drops may take on average of 5 years.
For those placed on injections, we try to provide a schedule for injections amenable to our patients as well as being able to provide vaccine to a primary care physician closer to a patient's home or work. Once a maintenance dosage is reached, a patient can receive instructions on how to administer injections at home, if they so desire. Follow-up appointments are scheduled according to each patient's specific needs. One must remain off all beta-blockers for the duration of allergy shots that may last up to 3-7+ years for successful treatment. If you must remain on a beta-blocker, allergy drops are the only option.
For those placed on allergy drops, these may be administered by the patient at home. The drops are to be used three times a day by using a drop dispenser. The drops are placed under the tongue and allowed to sit there for at least 30 seconds before swallowing. Allergy drops are a viable alternative for patients who have any contraindications against allergy shots (history of anaphylaxis with allergy shots, on beta-blockers, severe asthmatics, very young children, etc). Please go here for more information.
Testing for food allergy is also provided. Testing is performed by RAST. If there is positivity, we recommend a natural way to minimize food allergy without shots by going on a rotary diversified diet. "Caveman diet" is a more rigorous way to flush the body's system of all hidden foods that most people have been found allergic to (corn, eggs, wheat, mik, sugar, soy, peanut, as well as chocolate, coffee, etc). In some cases, we do treat food allergy with allergy drops only.
More informational allergy handouts are available here.
Any information provided on this Web site should not be considered medical advice or a substitute for a consultation with a physician. If you have a medical problem, contact your local physician for diagnosis and treatment.
