Your nose is runny, your eyes are itchy, and you feel miserable. You’re pretty sure you have allergies. In fact, you’re confident of it, so you don’t even make an appointment with your doctor before heading to the pharmacy. But as easy as it is to self-diagnose your allergies, there are times you’ll still want to go to the doctor. Why? Read on. An estimated 93 percent of Americans don’t go to a doctor before treating their allergies. Instead, they either ignore their allergies or buy any of a variety of over-the-counter medicines. Most of these medicines are safe and not habit-forming. However, you don’t necessarily know if they’re going to be as effective as you need. They might only treat the symptoms, not whatever is causing the allergy. Also, the medicine you buy might not be the most effective one for your symptoms. “Anyone can treat their allergies, but there are limits to it,” CEENTA ENT doctor Gregory Parsons, MD, said. On top of that, if you’re not taking the right medicine for you, you could end up dealing with a variety of side effects – anything from sleeplessness to headaches to blurred vision. In many cases, over-the-counter medicines will be fine. However, if you’re taking medicine for six months of the year or more, if you’re not seeing relief from the medicine, if you have sinus infections or asthma associated with allergies, or if you’re having problems with side effects, you should see a doctor. They will first test you for allergies, most likely with a simple skin or blood test. From there, they can determine exactly what you’re allergic to and how severe your allergies are. They will then come up with a treatment plan for you. If your allergies are severe enough, your doctor may recommend immunotherapy. Immunotherapy will help you build up a tolerance to your allergies, something over-the-counter medicines can’t do. It’s important to note that if you don’t see a doctor for your allergies, this treatment option would not be available to you. Even if you don’t think you need a physician for your allergies, remember that CEENTA’s doctors are always here for you when you need them. This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your physician. Dr. Parsons practices in our Lancaster and Rock Hill offices. To make an appointment with him or any of our ENT doctors in North and South Carolina, call 704-295-3000. You can also schedule an appointment online or through myCEENTAchart.
