Can Allergy Testing Improve My Life?

Allergies and sinuses, sinuses and allergies.  They go hand in hand, of course: most people experience the worst symptoms of allergies in their sinuses, including pressure, headaches, post-nasal drip and difficulty breathing.  This is why so many allergy sufferers will eventually visit a sinus specialist such as myself – the road to relief goes straight through those little chambers behind your face.

But if allergies are indeed to blame and not a more serious condition such as sinusitis, merely confirming your condition isn’t enough.  You also need to identify and avoid the offending material for the future.  The best way to get answers is to undergo some quick allergy testing via a longstanding, safe, and proven procedure known as a skin test.  For most people, there is simply no more effective way to identify the molecules behind their misery.

The allergy skin test is a simple outpatient procedure with very little risk.  An allergy specialist or ENT will inject minute amounts of common allergens such as pollen and mold into a row of pin pricks along your back or arm.  Don’t worry, there is not enough of any allergen to elicit more than a localized skin reaction, but it’s enough to get the diagnosis you need.  Wherever a raised or itchy bump appears, that is an indication that you are allergic to that substance.

Armed with this information, you can begin to take some active steps to reduce your exposure and your sensitivity.  In a subsequent post I will describe some of these steps in more detail; for now, I will just say that if you are a frequent allergy sufferer and have not yet zeroed in on the precise allergens that irritate you, it’s a good idea to contact an experienced ENT and make an appointment for some allergy testing today.

Tags: allergies, allergy testing, ent, sinus symptoms, skin test