3 Reasons to Get an Allergy Test Before Spring
Allergists agree that the Chattanooga area has a definable pollen season. Top allergists prepare for the onrush of patients that typically begins in February and lasts until the first or second hard frost in October or November.
Several factors keep Chattanooga’s top allergists busy, the most significant of which we will cover below.
Tree pollen is the first of the three types of pollen to greet Chattanoogans. Tree pollen lasts through May, overlapping with grass pollen that begins in April and lasts through September.
Due to global warming, our seasons have gotten longer. Once we experience a hard freeze to kill the weeds, pollen season will taper off, and allergy sufferers will get some much-needed relief from pollen allergies.
Unfortunately, some perennial allergens plague patients year-round. These include house dust mites, animal protein, and mold spores that continue to cause allergic symptoms.
The combination of exposure to year-round allergens and pollen allergies can lead to sneezing, cough, headache, itching of the eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. It’s even tougher on those who suffer from allergy symptoms but still haven’t figured out what’s causing those symptoms and how to treat them.
Enter: the allergy test.
When you see an allergist near you, they will likely have you get allergy tests. One of the most effective allergy testing methods is skin testing, which our allergists offer and recommend.
Skin testing for allergies is actually pretty simple. First, we scratch or prick the skin to the suspected allergy-causing substances and observe for reactivity.
Once we combine your history with the results from the skin testing, we design a customized management treatment that fits your lifestyle, budget and offers you or your family member (we offer allergy testing for kids) relief from the allergen, and a path to your best life! We make it our mission to offer relief to people who may have been suffering for years.
There are many reasons to get allergy tested before the spring pollen season kicks in. Read below for the top 3 reasons why you should get an allergy test before spring.
#1: You’ll beat the rush.
As pollen season kicks into high gear, we see an increase of people coming in for allergy testing and treatments, as well as people consulting our asthma doctors for treatments.
When you plan ahead, you get ahead of the crowds, and it is easier to get an appointment when you need it. The saying goes, “better late than never,” but sooner is better than later when it comes to allergies.
#2: Your medication can get a head start.
Once we’ve determined which allergens are most problematic for you, our allergists design a treatment plan that may need to be implemented before pollen, mold spores, or indoor allergen levels are elevated. Whether it is allergy shots or a new inhaler, we are sure to find the right solution for you.
The bonus here is that the medication gets into your system and has time to get to work before pollen counts kick into high gear, setting you up for a less sneeze-y, more pleasant spring season.
#3: You can get a start on other allergy avoidance measures.
Along with your allergy test, you will have a consultation with one of our providers who will help you identify potential allergens lurking in your day-to-day life.
Have pets? They can teach you to wipe the pollen off your pets before returning to your home.
Feel like your own house is making you sneeze? They can help you figure out if mold, dust mites, or an irritant could be the offender.
This is especially important for kids who will benefit from early allergy testing that will lead to long-term prevention.
