Allergy & Immunology: Diagnostics & Treatments
Allergy Diagnosis and Treatments in Weatherford, TX
Allergy diagnosis can be done through skin testing or a blood test. The skin test is done by exposing your skin to different substances by way of scratching or pricking the skin. Many different allergens can be tested at the same time by exposing different areas of skin. If the skin reacts with a rash or swelling, this is considered a positive reaction. This is a time-consuming test, but very accurate and relatively painless.
An allergen-specific IgE antibody test is a blood test that measures the amount of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in your blood for a specific substance. If your body has developed an allergy toward a certain substance, the amount of IgE for that substance will be high.
Allergy & Immunology: Diagnostics & Treatments
Allergies Treatment Options
Treatment for allergies consisting of antihistamines, decongestants, and corticosteroids are helpful in treating a sneezy, runny nose and watery eyes.
Another type of allergy treatment available at Lung & Sleep Specialists of North Texas is immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is an injection of a small amount of your particular allergen into the skin on a regular basis for a period of time. This type of treatment actually changes the way your body’s immune system reacts to the allergen.
In addition, people with asthma can have allergic triggers that require special treatment. A medication called Xolair® is highly effective at treating allergic asthma.
Allergies can affect your breathing and ability to sleep, so it is important to be diagnosed and have a plan to manage allergies and prevent serious allergic reactions that can be life-threatening.
Our providers at Lung & Sleep Specialist of North Texas are eager to help you along the road to better health. Call (817) 594-9993 for an appointment or request one online today.