Struggling with allergy symptoms? Your WNY ENT Doctor can help.
The Spring and Summer seasons bring beautiful weather and a feeling of delight, but for allergy sufferers, it can be a nightmare. If your allergies are making you hide indoors, it’s time to seek relief. But when should you see an ENT doctor for allergies?
When you should see an ENT or Otolaryngologist for Allergy Symptoms?
If your allergy symptoms can be managed with over-the-counter remedies and home care, there’s no immediate need for an ENT appointment. However, inhalant and food allergies can be major contributors to many medical conditions, including sinusitis and asthma. It’s time to schedule a visit with an ENT doctor if:
- You’re dealing with chronic sinusitis or nasal congestion
- Your symptoms are severe
- Over-the-counter solutions and lifestyle changes aren’t working
- Your symptoms last for three months or more
- Your allergies are disrupting your sleep, work, or quality of life
How an ENT specialist treats allergies
If you have mild or seasonal allergies, they may seem like a minor annoyance, and a doctor’s appointment may not be necessary. But if your allergies persist for several months despite at-home treatments, it’s a sign that it’s time to see an ENT doctor for alternative treatment options.
One of the best ways to identify the cause of your allergy symptoms is through allergy testing. We offer allergy evaluation using blood allergy testing. By determining what you’re allergic to, our ENT doctors can create a customized treatment plan. Treatment options vary depending on the severity and type of allergies you have. Common approaches include:
- Lifestyle changes to minimize exposure to allergens
- Oral medications like antihistamines and decongestants
- Nasal sprays or nasal saline
- Immunotherapy (allergy shots) for more severe symptoms or patients that do not respond to conventional medical therapy
- Surgical treatments, such as balloon sinuplasty, turbinate reduction, and/or nasal septoplasty, to address chronic sinusitis symptoms related to allergies
If your allergy symptoms make you feel miserable with itchy eyes, nasal congestion, and fatigue, it’s time to seek relief from the experts. Contact WNY ENT today.
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