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DENVER ALLERGY TESTING & CARE OVERVIEW
At the present time, there are two primary ways to test for allergies: skin tests and blood tests. Skin testing is our preferred method of testing as it has been shown to be slightly more sensitive and accurate than blood tests. Our practice uses a combination of tests done in the forearm and in the upper arm. This method of testing identifies your allergen triggers and tells how allergic you are to each item. Blood tests measure the same things and are useful in certain patients: young children, and those who are on certain medications that prevent us from doing skin tests. An individualized evaluation will be done at the time of your visit to determine which test will be best for you.
ALLERGY TREATMENT
There are a number of things we can do to treat your allergies, ranging from managing symptoms to treating the root cause through immunotherapy. We can help you explore the benefits of each so you can choose which option is best for you.
Avoidance - Environmental control measures to reduce exposure to indoor and outdoor allergens can be very helpful in improving symptoms. Depending on your range of allergies, we can provide information to help you avoid those items that affect you most.
Medications - Various medications can improve or relieve allergy symptoms. This includes over-the-counter or prescription pills and nasal sprays. Many patients report a decrease in needed medication after immunotherapy begins.
Immunotherapy - The only "cure" for any inhaled allergy is desensitization, which increases your immune system's tolerance to allergens over time. This treatment can be administered in either allergy drops or shots.
Allergy shots - A series of weekly injections are administered to patients for a three to five year period. Shots are tapered off during the final 1-2 years. These injections cause your body to make blocking antibodies, stopping the allergic reaction from taking place. Patients taking injections must wait 20 minutes to monitor for any adverse reaction. Most insurance companies cover injections, though co-pays may apply.
Allergy drops - This is a very exciting new addition to our practice. Allergy drops work much like shots, slowly desensitizing you to your allergies. They're delivered under the tongue in a drop form that patients can take at home. Like shots, most patients find their treatment takes three to five years to complete. With today's busy lifestyles, drops are an ideal solution for many patients. Though drops are not covered by insurance, most patients feel the modest investment is well worth the improvement in their health, reduction in allergy related expenses and overall quality of life. To learn more, click here.
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