Why should I talk to my doctor about allergies?

If you have never experienced any of the symptoms of allergies, you may not need to talk about them with your doctor. Remember, though, that you can develop allergies at any age, so if you ever do experience the symptoms of allergies, talking to your doctor may help you alleviate those symptoms. If you ever experience a severe allergic reaction, you should see your doctor and discuss how to avoid such attacks in the future and how to treat them if they do occur.

If you do find out that you have allergies, lifestyle changes and medications are available to help you manage the disease. There is no reason to suffer with allergies when some simple lifestyle changes may help you live symptom-free.

How do I talk to my doctor about allergies?

As with any doctor visit, you should come to your appointment prepared with answers to the questions the doctor will ask of you and with a list of the questions you want answered. It may be helpful to bring an actual list of your questions about allergies with you to your appointment and if you are taking any medications, bring a list of those as well (including both prescription and non-prescription drugs).

If you are experiencing symptoms, tell your doctor what they are, when they began, how often they happen, and whether they are getting better, worse, or staying the same. Keeping a journal of your symptoms can help you keep track of them and help you provide your doctor with more specific information.

It is a good idea to take notes, bring a tape recorder, or ask a friend or family member to come with you to help you remember what your doctor tells you. Medical information can be overwhelming, especially when you are faced with a lot of it all at once.

Make sure you understand any diagnosis the doctor gives you and any tests ordered or treatments prescribed. Ask your doctor to explain if he or she says something that you do not understand. Do not feel “stupid” asking questions - every question you have is important when it comes to your health. Let your doctor know if he or she has not answered your question or addressed your concern. Tell your doctor if a treatment is not working or if you are having side effects. He or she may prescribe a different treatment that might work better for you.

What questions will the doctor ask me to help determine if I have allergies?

There are several important things to keep in mind when talking to a health care professional about allergies. If you have never been diagnosed with allergies but suspect you may have them, you can help your doctor determine whether you should be referred to an allergy specialist for allergy testing by coming to your appointment prepared to answer the following questions:

• Do any of your parents or siblings have allergies or asthma? If so, do you know what they are allergic to?
• What symptoms do you have?
• Does anything seem to help your symptoms?
• How long ago did your symptoms start?
• Do your symptoms happen only during certain months of the year?
• Do you notice that your symptoms come on suddenly or get worse in certain environments or situations?
• Do you have any pets?
• Are your symptoms mostly in your nose, sinuses, and lungs or elsewhere, such as the skin?
• Have you recently changed your living or working environment?
• Have you recently changed the brand of cosmetics, laundry detergent, cleaning products, soap, or shampoo that you use?
• What drugs do you take regularly (both prescription and non-prescription)?

If you have already been diagnosed with allergies, you will need to answer questions about your allergy history:

• What allergies have you been treated for in the past?
• Are your allergies to airborne particles, food, or drugs?
• Have you ever had a severe allergic reaction that required you to be hospitalized?
• What allergy medications have you taken in the past and which ones do you take now? In what doses?

What questions should I ask my doctor about allergies?

If you suspect you have allergies, you should see your doctor prepared to ask informed questions about your treatment:

• What am I allergic to?
• How severe are my allergic reactions?
• Are my allergies indoor or outdoor?
• Do I have “seasonal allergies”?
• Should I carry a dose of injectable epinephrine with me?
• Should I wear a Medic Alert bracelet?
• What are my treatment options?
• What medications are available and which do you recommend?
• Will allergy medications interact with my other medications?
• Can I avoid taking medications by limiting my exposure to allergens?
• What can I do to lessen my exposure to allergens?
• Should I get allergy shots?
• Should I keep my pets?
• Should I get an air filter? What kind is best?
• Am I likely to develop allergies to more things?
• Will my allergies ever get better?
• Should I consider moving, changing jobs, or relocating to a different climate to help my symptoms?
• What should I do when I travel?
• What else can I do to help improve my symptoms?

What questions should I ask my doctor about allergy medications?

If the doctor prescribes one or more allergy medications, you should be sure that you understand when and how to take the medications properly before you leave the doctor’s office. Especially when you begin taking a new medicine you should be wary of side effects. These are some specific questions you can ask your doctor when you are first prescribed a new medicine:

• What is the name of the medication?
• What symptoms is the medication supposed to relieve?
• What is the dosage for the drug?
• How often and when should I take the medicine?
• How does the medication work?
• How will I know if the medicine is working?
• Are there other, similar medications in the same class that work in a similar way?
• How long do I need to take the medication?
• Are there foods or activities I should avoid when taking the medicine?
• What are the possible side effects? What should I do if I recognize them?
• Are there any long term risks of taking this medication?
• Where can I find out more about the medicine?