So why would a patient come to see an allergist?
I think we get lulled into a false sense of
security because so many of the medications
we use to treat allergies are available over
the counter now.
But one of the unique roles I can play in
a patient's care is to really help tailor
those therapies.
So if you have itchy watery eyes, we can talk
about using a particular type of eye drop;
or if we have more issues with congestion
then we would recommend a particular type
of nose spray over another.
There are some prescription medications that
are available, and unique treatment options
and new types of immunotherapy medications
so I think there is a great role that we can
play as allergists and immunologists to help
educate the patient, help tailor their treatment
and personalize it to them so that we can
avoid medication side effects and really target
those treatments to those symptoms that are
bothering them the most.
The other unique aspect is that, sure we're
using medications to help treat the symptoms
but as allergists and immunologists, we can
really help discuss different ways that we
can treat the underlying cause of allergies
and really move that immune system from that
attacking what we shouldn't be attacking into
turning it into tolerance towards those different
pollens and and other allergens in the environment
that are causing our symptoms.
