Find the Actual Cause of Your Allergy Symptoms with Our Dedicated, Advanced ENT Team

Allergies complicate life. If you’re reacting to allergens, how can you thoroughly enjoy each day? Not only will you feel stuffed with congestion and empty of energy, you very well may be putting your long-term health and happiness at risk.

For many sufferers of chronic or recurrent sinusitis (sinus infections) or chronic nasal congestion, allergies are a primary concern. Because of this, allergy testing has exploded in popularity to help those with sinus conditions rise above their symptoms and get the treatment they desperately seek.

However, the rise in allergy testing has led many providers to overlook the importance of providing a comprehensive exam that can determine the root of a sinus issue.

What is your allergy testing procedure?

Allergy testing is the process of learning what allergens your body has an allergic reaction to, and the severity of that reaction. Common allergens tested in an allergy blood test include food, pollen, mold, pet dander, and dust mites. Tests are administered by an allergy specialist through a “skin prick”.

A skin prick test can test up to 60 allergens by pricking your skin with a small amount of that substance. Your skin’s reaction can reveal if your body is allergic to that allergen. Whether you’re given a skin prick or blood test, allergy test results may not reveal the full picture of your sinus health.

A comprehensive allergy test and sinus and allergy discovery process should include the following:

• Asking for your entire list of symptoms
• A full exam with CT scan
• Allergy test recommendation
• Conducting allergy tests
• Discussing the results and treatment options with you

Risks of Having Allergy Testing Outside of Your ENT’s Office

As mentioned above, there has been a rise in allergy testing. Testing locations are popping up around the country, and those believed to be suffering from sinus conditions are being referred to a testing location instead of visiting with their Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor to receive a full exam.

Without a full exam, the cause of a sinus condition may be missed. Some can even access an  online allergy test available to patients. Regardless of the results of an allergy test, sinus issues, including chronic nasal congestion and chronic sinusitis, are often caused by structural problems such as nasal polyps, enlarged turbinates or a deviated septum. They can also be caused by enlarged turbinates, or other issues that will not show up in any allergy test.

Does insurance cover allergy testing?

Until you undergo a full exam, there is no way to determine if your condition is not caused by an internal structural problem and not allergies. There are also no standardized allergy testing costs, so from clinic to clinic, they may differ. We can offer you a comprehensive sinus and allergy testing and treatment plan that will determine the true cause of your issues and outline how to fix them with our help. Our staff can also assist with insurance procedures to get you the most benefit out of the testing cost.

Finding Long-Term Relief: Allergy Treatments

Once your condition is observed and diagnosed by your ENT, and if allergies are the primary cause of your issues, your treatment plan can be individually customized by the professionals in our office.

Allergy Shots (Immunotherapy)

Immunotherapy, administered through regular shots (1-3 times a week, once a week), helps your body adapt to small amounts of the allergens your body reacts to. Over time, your body adjusts, and reactions to those allergens reduce and can disappear. Immunotherapy can be an effective treatment for allergies but is not a treatment for food-related allergies.

Don’t settle for an ineffective test that won’t bring you long-term relief.

Partner with Cumberland Vallery ENT to ensure you’re receiving the care you want and need from an allergy and ENT specialist that will develop a plan that can help you move past your allergy condition.