When Should You See an Allergist? 5 Signs You Need Specialist Care
Key Takeaways
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If you’re wondering when to see an allergist, the answer is simple. If your allergy symptoms are interfering with your daily life or allergy medicine stops working, it’s time to schedule a visit with your local board-certified specialist.
Allergy Doctor vs. Primary Care: What’s the Difference?
Your primary care provider is often the first stop when you’re feeling sick, and it’s no wonder why. They are familiar with your health history and can diagnose and treat many common health concerns, including mild seasonal allergies.
However, if your symptoms continue despite treatment, recur year after year or become more severe, your provider may recommend seeing a board-certified allergist. But why?
These experts receive specialized training in diagnosing and treating conditions such as:
- Seasonal allergies
- Year-round environmental allergies
- Asthma and allergic asthma
- Food allergies
- Insect allergies
- Medication allergies
- Skin allergies, including eczema and hives
Rather than simply treating symptoms, allergists focus on identifying the causes to create personalized treatment plans for long-term relief.
5 Signs It’s Time to See an Allergist
For more than 40 years, our allergy providers have helped patients living with allergies breathe easier and feel better. During that time, it’s become clear to us when “it’s time to see an allergist.” If you are experiencing any of the following, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with your local board-certified allergy specialist.
- Your allergy medicine isn’t working anymore.
Over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal sprays can be effective for mild allergy symptoms, but if you’re taking them every day and still dealing with congestion, sneezing or itchy eyes, these medications are no longer providing the relief you need.
In some cases, increasing symptoms may mean your allergies have changed or that another condition, such as asthma, is contributing to your discomfort.
An allergist can help determine why your current treatment isn’t working and recommend more effective options.
- Your symptoms persist beyond allergy season.
Many people associate allergies with spring or fall, but environmental allergens such as dust mites, mold and pet dander can cause symptoms year-round. Arkansas’s long growing season means tree, grass and weed pollen can affect allergy sufferers for much of the year, making it important to identify your specific triggers. If your congestion, coughing or itchy eyes never seem to fully go away, allergy testing can help identify hidden triggers inside your home or workplace.
- You’re experiencing asthma symptoms.
Allergies and asthma can go hand in hand. If you’re experiencing wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness or a chronic cough, especially after exposure to pollen, pets or dust, you may have allergic asthma.
A board-certified allergist can perform both allergy testing and lung function testing to determine what’s triggering your symptoms and develop an asthma treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Want to know how your appointment will go? Read our article: “What to Expect from Allergic Asthma Testing”
- You’re avoiding activities because of your allergies.
Have you stopped gardening? Do you avoid going on walks during certain seasons? Are you skipping visits to friends with pets? If allergies are changing how you live your life, it’s worth seeking specialist care that can help you enjoy everyday activities with greater comfort and confidence.
- You’re relying on medication every day.
It’s common to need occasional allergy medication. However, depending on your symptoms, relying on medication every single day may indicate that your allergies aren’t well-controlled.
An allergist can discuss long-term treatment options, including immunotherapy (allergy shots), which treat the root cause of allergies to help your immune system become less sensitive to the allergens causing your symptoms.
Find the relief you need with the allergy care you deserve!
You don’t have to wait until symptoms become severe before seeking help. Early diagnosis often leads to better symptom control and improved quality of life. At Arkansas Allergy and Asthma Clinic, local allergy and asthma specialists are ready to support you and your family with comprehensive testing and personalized treatment plans. Schedule your allergist appointment with Arkansas Allergy and Asthma Clinic today.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see an allergist instead of my primary care doctor?
If your symptoms continue despite treatment, become more severe or interfere with your daily activities, an allergist can provide specialized testing and treatment options that go beyond symptom management.
Can an allergist help if over-the-counter allergy medicine isn’t working?
Yes. If OTC medications are no longer controlling your symptoms, an allergist can identify your specific triggers and recommend prescription medications, allergy shots or other long-term treatment options. For more information on the difference between these medications, read our blog: “Allergy Shots vs. Over-the-Counter Allergy Medications”
What does a board-certified allergist do?
A board-certified allergist specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies, asthma and related immune conditions through comprehensive testing and personalized treatment plans.
Will I need allergy testing?
Not everyone does, but allergy testing is often the best way to identify the specific allergens causing your symptoms and develop a targeted treatment plan.
Can allergies get worse over time?
Yes. Allergies can change over time, and ongoing exposure to allergens may worsen symptoms or increase the risk of developing allergic asthma
About Family Allergy & Asthma
Founded in 1979, Family Allergy & Asthma’s practice network of allergy and asthma specialists provides high-quality, reliable and lasting allergy relief throughout Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, and includes affiliates Allergy & Asthma Specialists (AAS), Asthma and Allergy Associates of Florida (AAAF) and Arkansas Allergy and Asthma Clinic (AAAC). For more information, visit familyallergy.com, and follow Family Allergy & Asthma on Facebook, Instagram and X.
