Your First Appointment with Allergist in Lawrenceville, GA

Like many patients, who visit the Allergy & Asthma Center, you may not think you have allergies, although to some of us it is obvious. Your nose may not run, your eyes don’t itch, and you are not sneezing all of the time. But yet, you have other complaints, and it seems they just won’t go away. In our clinical experience, many times allergies are your culprit. With the rise of allergies sweeping the nation, especially in children, it is important to get you and your little ones tested for life-threatening allergies. Our expert allergists in Lawrenceville, GA can help diagnose and treat those insufferable allergies.

Your first appointment with an allergist is a comprehensive investigation into the root cause of your symptoms, moving far beyond just providing temporary fixes. The visit typically begins with an in-depth medical history review, where the allergist asks detailed questions about your symptoms—when they occur, how long they last, what seems to trigger them, and what time of year they are worst. They will also inquire about your family’s medical history, current medications, diet, and home and work environments. This detailed conversation is crucial because many allergies are genetic, and environmental factors like mold or dust mites are common culprits that can be missed during a standard doctor’s visit.

Following the detailed discussion, the allergist will likely proceed with diagnostic testing to pinpoint the exact allergen. The most common is the skin prick test, where tiny drops of various common allergens (like pollens, pet dander, and molds) are placed on your skin, usually on your forearm or back. If you are allergic, a small, raised bump will appear within 15–20 minutes, giving the doctor immediate results. Depending on the complexity of your case, the allergist may also order a blood test (Specific IgE) or perform lung function tests (spirometry) to check for asthma. The visit concludes with the doctor discussing your specific triggers and presenting a personalized treatment plan, which may include medication, lifestyle changes, or long-term solutions like immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops).

1. AN OUT-OF-WACK IMMUNE SYSTEM

Have you ever heard the saying “you need to build up your immune system”? Resulting from an immune system being out of balance, foreign substances known as allergens begin to attack the body. It is our bodies’ way of reacting to the outside world: mold, chemicals, pollution, stress, food, poor gut health. Which is where immunotherapy comes in. By introducing a small extract of the foreign substance, you are allergic to, your body begins to build up tolerance or immunity, which will result in less severe and fewer reactions.

Fun Fact: A recent study done at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC comparing environmental factors of lab rats and wild rats, blood tests found a particular immune protein in wild animals meaning their bodies were better equipped to coping with potential allergens.

2. AIR POLLUTION & INCREASING POLLEN COUNTS

Have you noticed pollen counts going up each year? Maybe your allergies have been getting worse. Air pollution is a big part of the problem. Not only is air pollution and poor air quality triggering asthma flare-ups, especially in children, people are breathing in irritants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide making allergies and asthma worse from year to year.

Fun Fact: Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently conducted a study of air pollution and ragweed. With pollution making plants grow twice as large, especially toxic ragweed, plants are producing 5x the amount of pollen. These plants contain enzymes that damage the lining for nasal and lung cavities, triggering the on-set of allergies.

3. THE WRONG DIET

Your digestive system is the largest part of your immune system. Home to trillions and trillions of bacteria that play a big role in balancing immunity, your gut functions to protect against allergens and toxins in your digestive system. But, this also means it is vulnerable to several kinds of allergies as well. Eating nutrient rich superfoods with vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, carotenoids, and other nutrients will help in balancing immunity. It’s easy, just add colorful fruits and vegetables like berries, mango, papaya, spinach, avocado, broccoli, kale, ginger, turmeric, carrots, sweet potatoes, beets and others.

The Allergy & Asthma Center is conveniently located at 565 Old Norcross Rd. Lawrenceville, GA, 30046. Our clinic hours are Monday – Thursday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. For more information call us.Lawrenceville

Fun Fact: European researches found in the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) that eating 3 fast food meals a week are increasing allergies in children. This suggests a strong link between saturated fatty and processed foods and respiratory problems.