ALLERGY DEPARTMENT

Why choose an ENT Physician for your Allergy Needs?

Many times it can be difficult for a patient to know whether a problem with the sinuses is caused by allergy, infection, a structural problem or some combination of these. An ENT Physician is trained to help sort this out, and then to treat the causes.

You may be a candidate for Allergy Skin Testing if you find experiencing any of the following symptoms affect your life-style...

Sneezing, runny nose, post nasal drip or itching eyes. Chronic sinus or ear infections or if your symptoms are ear, nose or throat related.

Our method of testing is the IDT method. What does this mean for you?
Intradermal Dilution Testing is a method of allergy skin testing that determines whether or not an allergy exsists, and also predicts the highest safest starting dose for allergy injections, (immunotherapy) if this treatment method is needed. Since each person's degree of sensitivity is different, it is helpful for us to determine your exact degree of sensitivity to each Allergen. This 'custom fit' approach to treatment results in quicker achievment of symptom relief.

Now, how do I get started?

You will need to make an appointment with one of our Physicians to discuss Allergy Skin Testing. Once seen, a referral for testing will be sent back to the Allergy Department and one of us will call you within a week to discuss setting up an appointment for testing. All Allergy Skin Testing is done in the Raleigh Office, 3100 Blue Ridge Road, Tuesdays through Thursdays at 8am, 10am, 1pm, and 3pm. The test takes about two hours to complete. We suggest that you eat a good meal prior to testing and be sure to ask ahead if you feel you may want the use of a topical anesthetic cream to help numb your upper arms for testing. A prescription can be called in to the Pharmacy of your choice. You will be given important Environmental Control information at the time of your test and you can plan to receive your test results as soon as you are finished. A follow-up appointment is then made to discuss whether or not you are a candidate for Immunotherapy.

Once your personal Treatment Mixture is prepared, you will receive a call from the Allergy Department and you will then begin your Build Up Phase to feeling better! Allergy Injections are given in the Raleigh Office on a walk-in basis. Monday through Friday 8:30am to 12:00 noon and again 1pm through 4pm. Plan a 20-30 minute wait time after each 'Build Up' injection. If you choose the Raleigh Office, you may also be given the option of coming in twice a week to receive your injections, thus cutting your personal Build Up Phase almost in half, of course this is providing you are able to receive an injection every time you come in. The length of your personal Build Up Phase will be discussed with you at your first injection appointment. You may choose one of our Satellite offices for your Immunotherapy Treatment. Injections are given by appointment only in our Garner and Wake Forest offices.

What can you expect as you begin your Immunotherapy?

We at Capitol Ear, Nose and Throat believe in taking a conservative approach to your immunotherapy. Because we choose to build you up in a slow and calculated manner, you may find that you experience little to no reactions at all! Our goal is to slowly introduce the Allergens that you tested positive for, causing your body to naturally build up the necessary antibodies to relieve your bothersome symptoms. You may experience some localized reactions at the test or injection sites in the form of itching, or redness and warmth. These are usually relieved by the application of ice or an over the counter topical anti-itch cream such as Benadryl. Again, this will be discussed at length at your initial appointment.

When can you expect relief from those bothersome symptoms?

Typically we have found that you can expect to start feeling the benefits from your immunotherapy once you have reached your personal Maintenance Dose. Because each patient is different and your course of treatment is based upon your test results, this will vary from person to person. Your personal course of treatment will be discussed at your initial immunotherapy appointment. Once you have reached your maintenance dose, several options become available to you. From learning self-injection technique to choosing to receive your injections at a location more convenient to you, we at the Capitol ENT Allergy Department are devoted to making your course of treatment easy for you. Before you know it, you will be well on your way to a happier, symptom-free you!