Allergy Testing Hattiesburg, MS | Hattiesburg Clinic

Allergy Testing Overview

Many people suffer from allergies, including allergic asthma, making allergies a leading cause of chronic disease in the United States. When the body reacts abnormally to substances or allergens, it causes allergies. Allergens cause allergic reactions after being inhaled, swallowed or by coming in contact with skin. Common allergens are pollen, mold spores, dust mites, animal dander, feathers, foods, medications and insect stings. If you have chronic nasal congestion or other long-term sinus problems that you believe are related to allergies, you may want to consider allergy testing.

What to Expect With Allergy Testing

The ear, nose and throat specialists at Hattiesburg Clinic are pleased to offer allergy testing to those who see little to no success with typical allergy treatments like nose sprays and irrigations. For those interested, we can perform an allergy blood test that will identify if you are allergic to any of the most common allergens in the area. For patients, this test will be a simple blood draw, like what you experience during an annual physical.

Once the allergy test is complete, you will be contacted with the results. Depending on the type of allergens bothering you, you may decide to minimize exposure to allergens yourself or you may be interested in specialized treatment.

How can you minimize exposure to allergens?

During peak seasons, ways to help minimize exposure to allergens include:

Use air conditioning when possible. This cleans, cools and dries the air.
When pollen counts are high, limit your outdoor activity. Peak pollen times are usually between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Keep your car windows closed when traveling.
Try to stay indoors when humidity is reported to be high, and on windy days when dust and pollen are blown about.
Take a shower after spending time outside because pollen tends to collect on skin and hair.

While prevention is key, sometimes allergens cannot be avoided. You may suffer from watery eyes and a runny nose in the springtime or have a stuffy nose all year long. Sometimes, allergies can be misdiagnosed for a sinusitis infection – which is found in most people who suffer from allergies. Allergic sinusitis often presents itself as a runny or stuffy nose without fever or infected nasal drainage. These symptoms can come and go or be present year-round.

How are allergies treated?

Minor symptoms can be treated with medication that helps alleviate congestion, runny nose, sneezing and itching. If you have severe and prolonged sinus symptoms, you could be a candidate for balloon sinuplasty, a minimally invasive in-office treatment that uses a small balloon to expand the sinus cavity and create an opening for sinus drainage in order to provide immediate relief.

Though managing your own allergies is possible with medication, it is important that you visit your physician for periodic assessments – especially during the allergy and asthma seasons. Early intervention is the key to ensuring you and your family have a safe and fun spring and summer.

Our board-certified ear, nose and throat doctors offer both allergy testing and treatment. Treatment is available for allergies related to inhaled allergens (dust mites, pollen, etc.) and food.

Choose Hattiesburg Clinic

At Hattiesburg Clinic, our ENT team understands the challenges faced by patients with sinus troubles. Our allergy testing helps pinpoint the causes of chronic sinus issues. Our dedicated ENT physicians offer effective solutions, including balloon sinuplasty and sinus surgery, for long-lasting relief when standard treatments are not enough. Contact us today to book an appointment.

Allergy Testing

Allergy Testing Overview

What to Expect With Allergy Testing

How can you minimize exposure to allergens?

How are allergies treated?

Choose Hattiesburg Clinic

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