Arizona Allergies: Testing and Treatment
Struggling with allergies? Allergy testing focusing specifically on Southern Arizona allergens could be the best step to finding relief.
After determining one’s particular allergies, there are basically three modalities to allergy treatment:
• Avoidance. Avoid the offending allergens—the things to which one is allergic. It is sometimes difficult to avoid specific allergens in an area which one is exposed to daily.
• Pharmacotherapy. Multiple medications can be used, such as antihistamines, anti-inflammatories and decongestants. Many of the therapies are palliative and not treating underlying allergy conditions.
• Immunotherapy, such as allergy shots or sublingual (under tongue) desensitization. Desensitization actually alters the body’s hyperactive response to allergens, by changing the patient’s immune system. This treatment is performed via weekly allergy injections in office, versus drops regularly under the tongue at home. This is similar to vaccination for infectious diseases such as the flu. A majority of patients undergo changes to improve symptoms and decrease need for allergy medications/avoidance therapy.
Testing comes in the form of non-injection testing (prick testing) and injection testing in select patients (intradermal testing), which gives very specific diagnoses of allergies, and thus very specific treatment. This is called in vivo testing, as it is the body’s specific reaction, versus in vitro testing, which defines more potential for allergies. Testing typically takes less than an hour in office, with restriction of pretesting medications.
After determining one’s particular allergies, there are basically three modalities to allergy treatment:
• Avoidance. Avoid the offending allergens—the things to which one is allergic. It is sometimes difficult to avoid specific allergens in an area which one is exposed to daily.
• Pharmacotherapy. Multiple medications can be used, such as antihistamines, anti-inflammatories and decongestants. Many of the therapies are palliative and not treating underlying allergy conditions.
• Immunotherapy, such as allergy shots or sublingual (under tongue) desensitization. Desensitization actually alters the body’s hyperactive response to allergens, by changing the patient’s immune system. This treatment is performed via weekly allergy injections in office, versus drops regularly under the tongue at home. This is similar to vaccination for infectious diseases such as the flu. A majority of patients undergo changes to improve symptoms and decrease need for allergy medications/avoidance therapy.
Sonoran Ear Nose Throat and Audiology is Tucson’s premier ENTA practice, providing the highest level of personalized medical care. They have the expertise of Otolaryngic Allergists to diagnose and treat disorders of the ear, nose, throat and upper respiratory tract. Now with two locations, in Tucson and Oro Valley, and telemedicine options available for patients’ safety. Connect at 520-775-3333 or SonoranENT.com. See ad, page 4.
Sonoran Ear Nose Throat and Audiology - 6340 N Campbell Ave 256, Tucson, AZ
“Physician Preferred, Referred, and Trusted.” Sonoran Ear Nose Throat and Audiology is Tucson’s premier ENTA practice, providing you and your family with the highest level of personal... Read More »
Sonoran Ear Nose Throat and Audiology - Oro Valley - 2506 E Vistoso Commerce Loop Rd 180, Oro Valley, AZ
“Physician Preferred, Referred, and Trusted.” Sonoran Ear Nose Throat and Audiology is Tucson’s premier ENTA practice, providing you and your family with the highest level of personal... Read More »
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