Whether you are living in an urban area or a rural one, you will find a vibrant mix of dust mites and pollen. In addition to this, you can also come across certain foods that can cause allergies that can affect your immune system adversely. The symptoms of allergic reactions may include itchiness, redness, rashes, runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, and more. This is where you can seek help from a certified allergist or immunologist such as Dr. Kanury Rao.
In case you have countless doubts or concerns churning in your mind, you can check out the questions that you can ask an immunologist during your visit. So, let us begin.
- What type of allergy do I have? What are the main triggers?
Knowing the allergies is one of the best ways to have targeted solutions and treatments. When you consult with an immunologist, they will conduct several tests to determine the allergy and its possible causes i.e. pet dander, pollen, dust mites, specific foods, and so on. Alongside, they will ask you about the medical history of your family, ongoing treatment and medical conditions, and so on. Based on their medical evaluation and examination, they will diagnose the allergy. For this, they will follow a balanced approach or combined methods.
- What are the best-suited medicines for my allergies?
Since immunotherapy is a little different than allopathy treatment, you must understand that it does not include heavy medicines and all. Instead, it will include nasal sprays, inhalers, eye drops, over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines, and so on. Besides, the medications and treatments will depend on the type of allergies, symptoms, and their severity, overall health, and others.
- Can I get natural treatment options to manage my allergy symptoms?
Although the medications are the mainstay for an immunologist such as Kanury Rao, you will be provided with some natural remedies (depending on the allergies) to ensure faster relief. This includes air purifiers, nasal saline irrigation, dietary modifications, and more. However, you should discuss the same with your immunologist or allergist so that they can assess everything and suggest suitable natural remedies, if any.
- Do I need to undergo allergy testing? Is it painful?
To determine the type of allergies and find the possible causes of the same, you will need to undergo an allergy testing process. This is quite a valuable tool for a working professional as the entire treatment is based on the outcomes of the tests. Speaking about the testing process, these involve various tests. For example, skin prick test. In this test, the immunologist will place a smaller amount of the potent allergen on the skin to see the possible reactions. Besides, some tests will also include blood tests, patch tests, and more. All these may create a temporary discomfort that can last for a few minutes or even seconds.
- I have (these) symptoms? Are these because of an allergic reaction?
You should know that some common symptoms of the allergy include stuffy or runny nose, skin rashes, wheezing, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, fatigue, and coughing. However, several other conditions are there when you will experience similar symptoms. In case you are having these symptoms, you should discuss them with your allergist or immunologist. They will run certain tests and consider other related aspects to determine whether these symptoms are due to an allergy or other reasons.
- What should I do to keep allergy triggers at bay?
According to Dr. Kanury Rao, when you know the triggers, you must keep them away as much as possible so that you do not get allergies. For instance, if pollens and dust mites are your major triggers, then you are advised to limit outdoor activities. In addition to this, you should also use high-quality air purifiers or HEPA filters to make your area allergy-proof. Speaking about pet dander and mold, you must make your area pet-free and control the humidity and moisture levels.
- Are my allergies curable?
Since there is no permanent cure for all allergies, immunotherapy treatments such as allergy shots you can definitely control the symptoms. In addition to this, you can also enhance the life quality. Please keep in mind that not every food and environmental allergy is curable. The only way to prevent them is by avoiding the triggers.
- Are asthma and allergies inter-connected?
Well! The answer is a big yes to this question. There is a solid connection between asthma and allergies. Most people with allergies also develop asthma. Do you know why? This is because of the affected airways due to constant wheezing, sneezing, chest congestion, breathing issues, and more.
Ultimately,
Apart from the questions listed above, Dr. Kanury Rao also suggests people discuss the food items that they must avoid during allergies. Additionally, if you are pregnant or age below 5 years, ask your immunologist whether you are eligible for allergy shots and other treatments. All these will ensure maximum outcomes without any side effects.