What Is an Immunologist? And What You Should Expect?

Immunologists specialize in allergies and the immune system. When you have allergy symptoms, an immunologist can help. They begin with allergy testing and help diagnose, treat, and work to prevent allergies from causing problems in your everyday life.

Many allergy sufferers see immunologists for environmental allergies, such as pet dander or dust mites, or seasonal allergies like hay fever. These doctors try to strengthen the immune system so that it works to fight infections and allergic diseases.

What Do Allergy Doctors Do?

Allergy doctors work to reduce, or even eliminate, allergic reactions. These reactions occur when the immune system overreacts to specific allergens, harmless particles like pollen or mold that your body mistakenly sees as dangerous. Common allergy symptoms include a runny nose, itchy throat, or watery eyes. However, some people can have more severe allergic reactions, including hives, asthma symptoms, and anaphylaxis.

An immunologist uses allergy tests to determine your allergens and develops a personalized treatment plan to give you long-lasting relief from allergy symptoms.

When Should You See an Allergist?

You should see an allergy specialist when you experience allergy symptoms that impact your daily functioning and don’t respond to over-the-counter remedies. You may want to see an allergist if:

• Allergies cause chronic infections or difficulty breathing
• Allergic reactions last for several months
• Over-the-counter medications and antihistamines don’t work
• Allergies trigger asthma symptoms

How Wyndly’s Allergy Doctors Can Help

Runny noses, hay fever, and allergic rhinitis are frustrating at best. But Wyndly’s allergy doctors are here to help you find the relief you need from the comfort of your home. Our allergy specialists can assist you in using our at-home allergy test kit and create a personalized treatment plan to address your allergy symptoms.

Find Out What You’re Allergic To In Your Environment

Our at-home allergy test kits can identify over 40 of the most common environmental allergens, including:

• Dog, cat, and horse dander
• Tree, grass, and weed pollen
• Dust mites
• Mold
• Rodent and pests
• And many more!

Once your allergens are identified, you can begin treatment. At Wyndly, we offer immunotherapy through sublingual immunotherapy in a convenient delivered-to-your-door subscription service. What’s more, our doctors are available 24/7 via phone call, text, video chat, or email to answer your questions and address your concerns.

Get a Personalized Treatment Plan

Every person is different, and so is their immune system. That’s why you need a personalized treatment plan from your allergist. With this plan, you know precisely what your allergens are and how to treat them.

Preparing for Your Appointment with an Immunologist

At your appointment, your allergy doctor asks questions about you and your allergies. Be open and honest in your answers so your doctor understands your allergy condition and symptoms. They may ask questions like:

What are your symptoms, and how long have you been experiencing them?

Be as specific as possible. These answers help your allergist understand your condition and determine the correct treatment. Discuss your symptoms, their severity, when they occur, and the treatments you’ve tried. Tell them how effective the treatments were and what breakthrough symptoms you experienced.

Do you struggle with allergies year-round or during certain seasons?

Seasonal allergies are one of the most common allergy-related conditions. Think about your allergy symptoms and if they occur all year or during specific seasons. This information makes a difference in the doctor's diagnosis and may indicate that your allergies are pollen-related.

What medicines or treatments have you already tried?

Knowing your medical history is essential when diagnosing allergies. When you take an at-home allergy test, the doctor can identify your allergens, and they may recommend medication or prescription. Knowing what you tried in the past helps them recommend the best options.

Do you have pets?

Pet-related allergies are common, so be prepared for the doctor to ask you how much time you spend around animals, your own and others. They may ask if you have any pets, where they sleep, and how much they shed.

Questions to Ask Your Allergy Doctor

During your first visit with the allergy doctor, feel empowered to ask any questions about your allergies, allergens, and potential treatments. Your doctor is there to help and guide you through the situation, so don’t hesitate to bring up your concerns. Here are some questions to consider asking:

What’s causing my symptoms?

You want to understand what causes your allergy symptoms so that you can address them. Whether you ask this question or not, your doctor will discuss the likely causes and recommend allergy testing. An allergy test is often necessary to determine your specific allergens.

What medications and treatments are available?

Many allergy medications are available, such as prescription and over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal sprays. For those with more severe allergies, sublingual immunotherapy may be the best option.

Sublingual immunotherapy involves exposing your immune system to small doses of the allergens that cause it to react. Over time and with a gradual increase in dose, the body becomes desensitized, and its immune response lessens.

Am I a good candidate for sublingual immunotherapy?

Your doctor will tell you whether sublingual immunotherapy is the right option for you. They will explain your treatment options and how to naturally reduce your exposure to allergens.

How can I limit my exposure to allergy triggers?

Your immunologist will explain ways to reduce allergy triggers. Depending on your allergens, this may include:

• Avoiding outdoor activities when pollen counts are high
• Eliminating dust shelters in your home
• Modifying your cleaning schedule to keep dust and pet dander down
• Removing carpets and rugs from your living space
• Keeping pets off of furniture and out of your bedroom

Are You Ready for Long-Lasting Allergy Relief?

If you’re ready to live a life free from allergy symptoms, contact Wyndly. Our team of allergy specialists is here to help you every step of the way, from allergy testing through long-term treatment. Take our two-minute assessment today to see if you’re a candidate!