What is a Board-Certified Allergist?

Board certified allergists are specialists who have met the highest level of nationally-recognized standards for education and expertise in the field of allergy, asthma and immunology. This formal and lengthy education process is necessary to cultivate the expertise required to provide the highest-quality of care for patients with allergies and asthma. By achieving board certification, allergists demonstrate their commitment to excellence and expertise in their field, which translates to state-of-the-art, evidence-based care.

What are the Benefits of Seeing a Board Certified Allergist?

Board certification tells you that your doctor has attained the highest level of expertise to treat your health issues.

How do you find a Board-Certified Allergist?

When you start searching for an allergist/immunologist, it’s important to make sure you find a doctor you are comfortable with and you can trust. Search online for information about the doctors you are considering and ask people you trust for names of physicians they recommend. Then visit Certification Matters and enter your doctor’s name to determine if he or she is board-certified. This is a service that allows you to see if a specific doctor is certified.

Can you detect allergies through a blood test?

Yes. When you become allergic to an allergen, your body creates special antibodies to fight against it. These allergic antibodies are called IgE antibodies. IgE antibodies are formed in the bone marrow and travel in the bloodstream before being deposited in the skin and other tissues where they remain for weeks to months. Although allergy skin tests are considered the gold standard for allergy testing, blood testing can also be used to measure IgE antibodies circulating in your bloodstream

What types of tests are there for allergies?

There are three main ways to get tested for allergies: Skin Tests – Skin tests are commonly used to identify many potential allergens, including airborne, food-related, and contact allergens. Blood Tests – If you are not a candidate for an allergy skin test, your allergist may suggest a blood test. Elimination Diet – To detect which foods are causing an allergic reaction, your allergist may recommend an elimination diet. This involves removing certain foods from your diet and determining if you're symptoms improve, and then adding the food back to see if you have a reaction.

Do allergy tests hurt?

The skin prick or scratch test and intradermal test may cause slight discomfort. If you are sensitive to any of the allergens being tested, your skin may itch where the allergen was placed.

How can you treat non-life threatening allergic reactions at home?

The first step is to avoid the allergen if you know what triggers a reaction. But if an allergic reaction occurs, there are several ways to treat them at home: Antihistamines – Helps treat minor allergic reactions regardless of the cause. Anti-inflammatory Medication – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) can help temporarily reduce allergy symptoms. Saline Sinus Rinse – If your allergies cause sinus problems, it’s recommended to rinse your sinuses with saline to clear the allergens from your airways. Skin Allergy Treatments – If a skin allergy occurs, you can apply corticosteroid creams or calamine lotion to reduce symptoms, an ice pack can also help reduce inflammation and allergy symptoms.

How long does an allergy test take to administer?

Not very long. The skin prick and intradermal tests are performed in the allergist’s office and take about 20 minutes total. Your skin may start to show reactions to certain allergens such as foods, environmental allergens or insect venoms. Patch tests are used to identify if a chemical may be the cause of delayed skin rashes. The patches are applied and worn for about 48 hours and then removed. Blood tests results may take up to a week to return from the laboratory.

Are hay fever and allergic rhinitis the same thing?

Yes, allergic rhinitis is simply the proper medical term for hay fever. “Hay fever” is somewhat of a misnomer since allergic rhinitis is usually not caused by hay, nor does it result in a fever.

When is hay fever the worst in Jacksonville?

The mild temperatures in Northeast Florida mean that trees start producing spring pollen early in our area– in some years as soon as December. Unfortunately, the Jacksonville area does not really have a hay fever “off-season.” Our warm winters and early springs mean that allergic rhinitis sufferers may be exposed to pollen year-round.

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Thomas Lupoli, D.O.

Can Allergies Cause a Sore Throat?

When you experience a sore throat, you may immediately think of a cold or the flu as the culprits. However, allergies—a less suspected cause—can also be behind this uncomfortable condition.

If you’re wondering whether your sore throat could be triggered by allergies, you’re not alone. Many patients face this issue, especially during peak allergy seasons. Here we’re going to explore the connections between allergies and sore throats, helping you identify the cause and find the right treatment for you.

What Causes a Sore Throat?

A sore throat serves as a signal that something is off in your body. While the common cause is a viral infection, such as those associated with the common cold or flu, other factors like bacterial infections, smoking, dry air, acid reflux, and environmental irritants such as tobacco smoke, dust, and chemicals can also lead to a sore throat.

Allergies are also notable contributors as well. Exposure to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold, and certain foods can cause inflammation in your throat, leading to the discomfort you feel.

Types of Sore Throat

Sore throats vary based on their underlying causes:

Viral Sore Throats: These are the most common type and are frequently associated with colds or influenza. Symptoms might include a scratchy or swollen throat and may be accompanied by a runny nose, cough, fatigue, and mild fever. Viral sore throats typically resolve on their own within a week and do not require antibiotic treatment.
Bacterial Sore Throats: Often caused by streptococcus bacteria, this type is known as strep throat. It is characterized by severe pain, red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus, and can be accompanied by a high fever and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Unlike viral sore throats, strep throat requires treatment with antibiotics to prevent complications and speed up recovery.
Allergic Sore Throats: These arise as part of the body’s immune response to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mold. An allergic sore throat may feel persistently itchy or ticklish and is often accompanied by other allergy symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion. These sore throats result from inflammation caused by the immune system’s reaction to the allergen, along with irritation from post-nasal drip where excess mucus irritates the throat.

Most people don’t think of allergies as causing their sore throat, but they indeed can. When you inhale or ingest allergens like pollen, dust, or mold, your immune system reacts by inflaming the tissues in your throat. This inflammation, coupled with post-nasal drip (mucus dripping down the back of your throat), irritates your throat further, creating soreness.

Distinguishing Allergy-Related Sore Throats from Infections

Distinguishing between a sore throat caused by allergies from one caused by an infection can be tricky. A sore throat from allergies typically accompanies other allergy symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, and itchy eyes. Knowing your history of seasonal or environmental allergies can be a big clue.

On the other hand, infections may come with fever, swollen lymph nodes, white patches on the tonsils, and body aches. A medical evaluation, which might include a throat swab or allergy testing, is often necessary for an accurate diagnosis.

Duration and Factors Affecting Allergy-Related Sore Throats

The length of time a sore throat from allergies lasts can vary. It largely depends on the type and severity of the allergen exposure, your immune response, and whether you have underlying health conditions. Allergic sore throats can last from several days to weeks, especially if the allergen exposure continues without proper management.

Treatment Options

Addressing a sore, itchy throat caused by allergies involves:

Avoiding known allergens.
Using antihistamines to reduce allergic inflammation.
Implementing nasal saline irrigation to clear nasal passages.
Applying throat lozenges or sprays to alleviate throat discomfort.
Considering long-term solutions like allergen immunotherapy for persistent cases.

Preventive Measures

Preventing an allergy-related sore throat centers on minimizing your exposure to allergens. Simple actions like keeping your living areas clean, using allergen-proof bedding, maintaining good indoor air quality with HEPA filters, and managing your exposure to outdoor allergens can make a significant difference. Staying hydrated and following an allergy treatment plan prescribed by an allergist are also key strategies.

For those struggling with allergies and the uncomfortable symptoms they bring, including sore throats, help is available. Allergy and Asthma Specialists of North Florida are here to assist you in managing your allergies effectively. Don’t let allergies hold you back—reach out to us today and breathe easier tomorrow.

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