Allergist Accepting New Patients Questions and Answers

At an initial allergy assessment, your allergist will likely begin by gathering information about your full medical history. This assessment will include any previously diagnosed allergies, any surgical procedures performed, any medications or supplements taken, as well as any family history of allergies or illnesses. Your allergist may also ask you about your health habits in terms of foods you commonly eat. This information will assist your allergist in determining your allergies or sensitivities.

Your initial visit will also include an assessment of your nose, throat, skin, and lungs. To further assist in determining if an allergy exists, additional tests including allergen testing, immunity serology, or tests for immune system weakness may also be performed. The allergy specialist will then possibly run tests for food, or airborne allergies, which may involve blood tests and skin prick tests. A skin prick test involves the allergist placing a tiny amount of common allergens on the tip of a needle, then lightly making a small scratch on the skin, introducing the allergen to the body. The test area is then observed for several minutes to see if an allergic reaction occurs. If one of the substances causes an allergic reaction, a raised, red, and itchy bump (wheal), that resembles a mosquito bite, will appear on the skin surface. The reaction on the skin is then measured and the results are recorded.

A primary care doctor is available to provide a wide variety of health care needs, however, some medical conditions like asthma and allergies are best treated by a specialist. A specialist has been specifically trained to diagnose and recommend treatment in a particular area of medicine. A primary care doctor will make a recommendation for a patient to receive specialized care from a specialist, like an allergist. Your primary care doctor will write a referral letter to the specialist, recommending you to their care. The referral letter will contain any relevant information the specialist will need, such as any previous treatments you’ve received, as well as the results from any tests performed in the past. A referral from your doctor to a specialist provides peace of mind in knowing you are being referred to a trustworthy and qualified doctor, who has the advanced training to treat your condition.

Some insurance plans require a referral, like HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans, and require you to stay in your network of providers, which includes allergists. So a referral from your primary care doctor will ensure you remain in your network. This also means that an open line of communication is maintained between your doctor and the specialist. If you have a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan, a referral is not necessarily required, however, input from your doctor when choosing an allergist may be in your best interest.

At the Allergy & Asthma Center, our highly qualified team of board-certified allergists, and medical professionals are fully equipped to diagnose and treat a wide variety of allergies. Some of the allergies most commonly tested for include:

– Skin allergies
– Drug allergies
– Food allergies
– Pediatric allergies
– Oral immunotherapy
– Asthma treatment

The above is a partial list of the allergy tests and services provided at The Allergy & Asthma Center.

With multiple locations across Georgia, The Allergy & Asthma Center is accepting new patients who arrange an appointment, as well as referrals from primary care physicians. The doctors, allergy specialists, and medical staff at all our locations are committed to your wellbeing and comfort. For more information, please contact us or book an online appointment to visit one of our clinics. We serve patients from Lawrenceville GA, Atlanta GA, Conyers GA, Suwanee GA, Duluth GA, Grayson GA, Decatur GA, Brookhaven GA, Lithonia GA, and Covington GA.