How to Prepare for a Visit to Your Allergist?

If you have decided to seek professional help in managing your allergy symptoms, it is time to see an allergist. Before scheduling an appointment, you must know the general tips regarding how to prepare for your first visit. Refer to the guide below to get started.

When to see an Allergist?

People often deal with allergy symptoms for years before they finally decide to seek treatment. A lot of symptoms can be managed using decongestants and antihistamines, especially for those who are just experiencing seasonal allergies. On the other hand, some individuals have to go through serious symptoms or experience those symptoms for an extended period, which in turn impacts their ability to lead a normal life. In such cases, you should think about seeking professional help.

You should especially seek medical attention if OTC medications fail to provide relief or if you find yourself taking these medications for a never-ending period. Since these medicines have a temporary effect, they lose their effectiveness over time.

Prepare a symptoms journal

For effective allergy management, your allergist will need to know the exact time of the year, allergy sparklers, and circumstances in which you experience those symptoms. If for example, your symptoms are more severe during spring, after 5 hours of working in your yard, this is critical information for your allergist to know. If you mainly have food allergies, then maintain a food journal where you write down all the symptoms related to what you consume.

During the visit

Your allergist will likely collect from you a complete family medical history, which is why it is important for you to have as much information on hand as possible. Before your appointment, research about your personal medical history, including any childhood allergies. Dig deep for your medical records and bring them along. The allergy specialist may also inquire about any past medications you have taken, and whether any of those have been successful in alleviating your symptoms. For this reason, it might be a good idea to bring along any sprays, creams, medications or ointments you have used in the past for the allergist to review during the visit.

Reach the office prepared, and ask questions, lots of them. Good questions include: “what to expect from the treatment plan?”, “Are there any side effects related to the prescribed medicine?”, “what tests are available to me that will help determine the cause(s) for my allergic reaction?”, and “do I need to make some changes to my lifestyle or the environment?”.

Remember that your first appointment is the perfect opportunity for you to get acquainted with the allergist, address your concerns, and see if you can have a long-term association with the allergist.

Are you looking for the best allergist in New York City? Contact us today, and we will help you schedule an appointment with the right allergist.

Call our offices at 212-319-5282 to schedule an appointment.