Allergy Services
What Are Allergies?
An allergy is a sensitivity to a particular substance (allergen) that causes an inflammatory reaction when introduced to the body. Common allergens include pollen, dust, dust mites, animal dander, mold and some foods. An allergic reaction can only occur if a patient has had prior exposure to the allergen. The initial exposure is referred to as sensitization. During sensitization, immune cells or lymphocytes release antibodies (IgE) which attach to special cells (referred to as mast cells). When this occurs, subsequent exposure to the allergen will set off a chain reaction which triggers the allergic response through the release of histamines.
Common Symptoms
- Stuffy nose
- Watery eyes
- Scratchy throat
- Sneezing and coughing
- Watery nasal discharge
- Postnasal drip
- Itching
Other Symptoms
- Headaches
- Nosebleed
- Recurrent sinus infections
- Ears Popping or Feeling Blocked
- Sore Throat
- Throat-Clearing
- Asthma
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of allergies is a multi-step process that involves the taking of a detailed medical history as well as various other special tests. Your physician will work with you to determine which tests are necessary to diagnose your allergies. It is important to note that your physician may also suggest additional testing to rule out other conditions which may explain your symptoms. The following steps are guidelines to this process.
Step One:
Set up an appointment with one of our Physicians who will perform an examination and determine if allergy testing is right for you.
Step Two:
You will be asked to set up an appointment for Allergy Skin Testing. At the time of the booking you will receive a packet to complete. Please be sure to fill in all requested information as completely and accurately as possible. This information, combined with the actual allergy testing will help identify potential allergies and your daily exposure to them. While we don’t test for food allergies, it is important to complete a dietary diary as some foods may contain allergens such as molds (i.e. cola, cheese, wine, etc…) or cross-react with certain pollens. You will also be asked to avoid/discontinue certain medications for 48 hours prior to testing. Please check with your physician regarding any changes in dosage in medications prior to discontinuing them.
Patients currently taking beta blockers and tricyclic antidepressants will be unable to undergo allergy skin testing. Your physician will discuss alternative allergy assessment with you.
Step Three:
Arrive for your skin testing wearing a short sleeve shirt (so your upper arms are easily accessible). Our highly trained staff of nurses, all members of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (AA0A), will review your completed paperwork and then perform Allergy Skin Testing referred to as Endpoint Titration. This is different from the "scratch test", which we do not perform at our facility. Small amounts of various allergens are injected just under the surface of the skin on the upper arms using a very fine point needle. There is little discomfort, although some itching may occur. There is always a physician on staff should concerns arise during your allergy testing.
Step Four:
You will be scheduled to return to your ENT physician who will review the results of the testing with you and decide if immunotherapy (allergy shots) are right for you. Immunotherapy is a series of shots designed to desensitize you to the specific allergens that affect you. Initially you may receive shots weekly or biweekly and will build up to therapeutic levels over time. You may need to receive shots for several years.
Step Five:
You will be re-evaluated by your ENT physician to monitor your progress regularly. It may be necessary to repeat allergy testing periodically to determine the effectiveness of your treatment or to uncover any new allergies you may develop over time.
Treatment
The first step to treating some allergies is to avoid your allergens. Please see the suggestions outlined below.
We understand avoidance is not always possible. Your physician may recommend nasal irrigation or prescribe nasal steroid sprays, antihistamines and/or decongestants.
When avoidance is not possible and attempts at medical treatment are ineffective, your physician may initiate Desensitization Therapy. Desensitization therapy is a series of injections that are customized based upon the results of your allergy skin tests. Your allergy nurse and physician will develop a therapeutic dosing schedule that will gradually increase in dosage strength at reduced dosage intervals over time. Every individual is unique. The length of your Desensitization Therapy will be based upon the complexity of your allergies and your response to treatment.
Our focus, as an Ear, Nose and Throat specialty, is on the treatment of inhaled allergies. We are unable to treat food or skin (dermatologic) allergies.
Tips for our Allergy Patients
- Allergy appointments are scheduled for up to four weeks in advance.
- Due to health insurance restrictions, an allergy shot may not be scheduled on the same day as an office visit with your physician.
- If you are ill, please contact our office. Allergy shots are not recommended when you are ill.
Allergy Hours by Location*
118 Dudley Street, Providence--(401) 274-2300
Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
1351 South County Trail, East Greenwich--(401) 885-8484
Tues. & Wed. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Thurs. & Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
*Patients seen by appointment only
Tips for Allergy Avoidance
- Wash all bedding weekly in hot water. Tumble dacron hypo-allergenic pillows for 15 minutes in a dryer set to high.
- Encase mattresses, box springs and pillows in zippered, dust-proof or hypoallergenic covering.
- Avoid carpeting, especially in the bedroom.
- Avoid heavy curtains and Venetian blinds. Use light washable curtains instead.
- Substitute upholstered furniture with wooded or plastic furniture.
- Avoid wool or down blankets.
- Cover air vents with filters.
- Remove stuffed animals, magazines, books or boxes collecting dust from the bedroom.
- Avoid wall pennants, macrame hangings and other dust collectors.
- Keep the relative humidity at 35 to 40%.
- Keep closet doors shut.
- Use air conditioners with filters and dehumidifiers when dampness is a problem.
Dust Mites: Your Uninvited Guests
Your house dust may contain thousands of microscopic insect-like dust mites. While less than a pleasant thought, many people are actually allergic to the waste products and decomposed bodies of these microscopic invaders. In fact, many individuals who report "year round" allergies may indeed have a dust mite allergy. Dust mites often thrive in pillows, mattresses, carpeting, blankets and basically anywhere dust collects. Your mattress alone may contain as many as 200,000 mites. As humidity and temperatures rise, so do dust mite populations. However, dust mites are intolerant of very high temperatures. While many dust mites can be successfully removed with a HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner, following the above tips will also keep them at bay.