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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Understanding Outdoor Allergens

How can floating particles in the air cause such unfavorable allergic reactions? Outdoor allergens can lead to hay fever and a range of allergy symptoms. These symptoms often including runny nose, sneezing, congestion, and itching of the eyes, ears, nose, throat, and roof of the mouth. The causes of these reactions are typically from mold spores or pollen in the air.

Your body’s immune system controls how it defends itself. If you are allergic to pollen, your immune system thinks pollen is an invader and overreacts by producing antibodies known as Immunoglobulin E (IgE). When these antibodies travel to cells that release chemical, an allergic reaction occurs.

Don’t let outdoor allergies get the best of you. Get to know the two most common outdoor allergens and how to avoid them.

Mold Spores

Mold spores can exist almost anywhere and even float in the air. Molds are tiny fungi similar to mushrooms but without roots, stems, or leaves. Outdoor mold spores increase when temperatures rise in the spring. In the United States, outdoor molds peak in July in warmer states and October in colder states. Mold is present in the South and on the West Coast year-round.

Tips to Avoid Exposure to Outdoor Mold Spores

Avoid going outdoors on rainy or windy days when mold may be in the air.
Keep rain gutters and drains clear of leaves and debris. Make sure downspouts flow water away from the house.
Avoid yard activities or wear a mask when mowing the lawn, raking leaves, or gardening with compost.
Keep excess leaves, compost, and grass away from areas near your home.

Plant Pollen

Pollen are tiny particles that fertilize plants. Many plants have flowers that produce powdery pollen which can be easily spread by the wind. Colorful flowers such as roses rarely cause allergies and rely on insects to transport pollen for fertilization.

Plants that release pollen have a specific period of pollination during the year and weather can affect the amount of pollen in the air. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is typically caused by tree pollen in early spring. Grass pollen can cause allergy symptoms in late spring and early summer. Hay fever is caused by weed pollen in late summer. In warmer areas, pollen can be present year-round.

Tips to Avoid Exposure to Outdoor Pollen

Stay indoors when pollen counts are high. Keep an eye on local pollen reports or download a weather app for daily pollen counts in your area. Pollen counts are typically lowest just after sunrise and highest in the afternoon.
Mow your lawn often, and if possible, have a family member or friend do it for you. If you must mow, use antihistamines before you mow and wear a dust mask.
Keep the windows and doors of your house or car closed all day. Use air conditioning to avoid pollen coming inside.
Vacation during peak pollen season to a location where the plants you are allergic to don’t grow.

Treatment for Outdoor Allergens

If outdoor allergies continue to be a struggle, see an allergist for relief from seasonal symptoms. An allergist can determine which allergens, if any, are causing your symptoms and develop a treatment plan to help you feel better. Your personalized plan may include ways to avoid an allergen and medications for temporary relief.

If symptoms persist, your allergist may recommend allergy shots (immunotherapy). This involves regular injections with gradual increases in doses. The process helps your immune system become more resistant to an allergen and lessen symptoms over time.

Are you suffering from outdoor allergens? Call the specialists at the Allergy & Asthma Specialists of North Florida to make an appointment for allergy testing and treatment today.

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