Immunology or General Physician: When Should You See Them?

Are you struggling constantly with itchy skin, watery eyes, or runny nose? If yes, then you might have allergy symptoms. These could be due to constant exposure to various types of allergens. Unlike bacterial or virus infection, you must know the allergens triggering the allergy symptoms. This is where a general physician is not the right pick. According to Dr. Kanury Rao, allergy symptoms are best treated by an experienced and specialized allergist or immunologist. They are trained to assess the symptoms and determine the causes. Based on the same, they will plan a treatment to ensure maximum benefits.

Some more details regarding the same have been discussed below. Take a look.

What does mean by an allergist?

If you are wondering what is the difference between an allergist and a general physician, then the following information will clear the clouds of your doubts. Speaking about the general physician is a doctor who is expert and specializes in non-surgical care and general medicines. Since they are the first line of treatment options, they are not specialized in treating chronic allergies and related symptoms.

When this happens, they refer the patients to an expert or specialized professional. This is where an allergist or immunologist comes into the light. These healthcare professionals are specialists in treating and diagnosing allergies, related symptoms, and other immune disorders.

Therefore, when you are having allergies caused by certain substances such as dust pollen, mold, mites, pet dander, medicines, and foods. As per Kanury Rao, these professionals know how to determine the allergen types and help patients heal from the same.

What are the responsibilities of an allergist?

Allergists or immunologists are qualified physicians to treat and diagnose several types of allergies, immune disorders, and other similar conditions affecting the immune system. These may include but are not limited to the following:

• Asthma
• Eczema
• Hay fever
• Itchy skin
• Hives
• Immune deficiencies

Since these professionals undergo rigorous education and training, they know how to determine an allergen and create a treatment plan. For this, they will run several tests. Based on their findings, they will plan further.

When to visit an immunologist or allergist?

Dr. Kanury Rao says that an immunologist helps people of different age groups. However, it is not advised to go for this treatment if the age is below 5 years or you are pregnant. Besides, you should also avoid immunotherapy if you have any chronic disease related to the heart or others.

Allergists should be seen if you are going through the following:

• You are having any kind of allergies such as hay fever.
• You have sneezing, nasal or head congestion, persistent cough, itchy eyes, sinus infection, and more.
• You have asthma or allergy symptoms making daily life difficult.
• If you have allergy symptoms including asthma attacks but are unable to control them via OTC medicines.
• If you are struggling with breathing and related issues.
• If you have already been diagnosed with asthma but symptoms are constantly affecting you even after medicines.

What to expect from the visit at the clinic of an immunologist/allergist?

Now, you know when an allergist can help you and when you should not visit a general physician. Hence, you will have questions regarding the things that you should expect from your clinic visit. Below, we have outlined the same for your help.

Have a look:

• Initial consultation: When you consult an immunologist, they will talk to you about the symptoms you are having. If you are referred by a general physician, they will thoroughly check all your medical papers and history along with attached reports to determine if there is any other health issue. In case you are not referred, you are advised to tell them about the family’s medical history.
• Questionnaire before the treatment: Even if you tell them everything, they will ask certain questions before diagnosing and treating the allergy — Dr. Kanury Rao. These questions will be related to the symptoms, time and duration, current medication (if any), etc.
• Allergy testing: Based on the details provided, the immunologist will conduct certain tests. He/she will do it to know the allergens affecting the immune system and causing the ongoing symptoms. They may run the following tests:

Skin tests: A fine needle will be pricked with a certain amount of different allergens to see the reactions.

Blood tests: These tests can be screened for allergies caused by molds, pollen, dust mites, pet dander, etc.

Patch tests: This test is conducted to locate the possible triggers. However, you will need to leave the patch for the next 2–3 days.

Pulmonary function tests: These non-invasive tests will be done to see the functions of your lungs. These are essential when it comes to treating asthma and similar issues.

What treatments are offered by immunologists/allergists for allergic reactions?

Depending on the outcomes of the tests, an immunology professional or allergy specialist will design a treatment plan. In the same, they can have the following:

• Allergy shots
• Prescription medicines
• Avoiding the potent allergy triggers

On the final note

After going through the suggested treatment, you will need to pay multiple visits to the clinic. This is because follow-ups are mandatory in immunology to see possible reactions or side effects (though they are quite rare). These healthcare professionals such as Kanury Rao keep a progress record to ensure that the treatment is going as expected. In case you are also having allergic reactions that are uncontrollable with OTC medicines, you can go to the immunologist near you.