SO THE DOCTOR CAN TREAT YOUR SKIN ALLERGIES,
GATHER YOUR INFORMATION BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
Keep an allergy symptom diary
Doctors say that, even compared with advanced laboratory tests, history is the key to most diagnoses. And getting the right diagnosis is the key to curing your annoying skin rashes.So getting your symptoms and story clear in your head will certainly help the allergist help you. It’s a good idea to fill in a “symptom diary” that notes any skin rashes or other allergic reactions, for at least 2 weeks before your appointment.
Bring an up-to-date medical history
Ask your primary care doctor (GP) for an up-to-date list of any pre-existing conditions you have, as well as your current medication: certain drugs like ibuprofen, aspirin, and some blood pressure medications can be crucial factors. All this key information will help the doctor tailor solutions to give you the skin allergy relief you seek.
Understand your family history of allergies
Your allergist will likely ask you about allergies and related conditions such as hay fever, asthma, and eczema in your family. They will also want to know if anyone has had serious reactions like anaphylaxis. Make sure you ask at least your siblings and parents about this. Again, giving your doc the full picture will help them offer you the best skin allergy treatment.
TO LEARN HOW TO TREAT YOUR SKIN ALLERGIES,
PREPARE A LIST OF QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE
Make a list of key questions you want to ask at the end of your consultation to make sure you get complete skin allergy relief. Useful questions to ask:
- What do my test results mean?
- What am I allergic to?
- How serious is my allergy?
- How can I avoid reactions?
- Do I need to carry an epipen?
- Am I a candidate for desensitization therapies?
- Are there personal care products with hidden allergens I should avoid?
- How can I minimize my allergic skin reactions?
- What follow-up do I need to have with you (the allergist)?
TO LET THE DOCTOR DO THEIR JOB
AND TREAT YOUR SKIN ALLERGY,
BE PREPARED FOR TESTING
Remember to wear loose clothes that are easy to slip on and off as the doctor may want to do patch tests on your back and pinprick tests on your arm. You may also need to have blood taken. Finally, don’t take symptom control medications such as anti-histamines before the appointment as they can interfere with the test results… And don’t forget to bring along your symptom diary!
Look HERE for basic information about allergies