Allergies can take many forms, and they can range from the mere annoyance to the serious and even life-threatening. For allergic individuals, Dr. Quinn ENT offers testing to determine what substances the patient is allergic to. We will then recommend a course of action to best treat the specific allergies of the patient. Allergies do not have to be a crippling lifetime condition – our office can recommend strategies for symptom management. Plus, with allergy shots in our office, many allergies can now be treated.

Allergy Testing

The trained staff of Dr. Quinn ENT routinely perform allergy testing (for airborne and food-borne allergens) on patients. These tests serve the purpose of discerning which substances the patient is allergic to, as well as determining the severity of the reaction.

Our practice specializes in a method of allergy testing called skin-endpoint titration (SET). This method involves injecting very small amounts of allergen antigen between the layers of the skin on the upper arm. Those substances which the patient is allergic to will irritate the skin. The extent of the irritation is then used to determine the severity of the allergic reaction.

SET testing is a quick and relatively painless process. It allows our office to test for allergies to airborne particles (e.g. pollen, pet dander, and mold/spores), foods such as peanuts and wheat gluten, and even bee stings. Once we have information on your specific allergies, we can work to find the best treatment options.

In addition to skin tests, we also offer a form of allergy detection known as the RAST method.  This radioallergosorbent test method uses radioactive substances to test blood samples for allergies.  The test measures the presence of antibodies (immune system components that fight off intruders, including allergens) in a patient’s blood.  Certain types of antibodies correspond to certain allergens, so it is possible to find what a patient is allergic to with high accuracy.  Unlike the skin test, allergy testing by the RAST method does not require allergens to be administered to the patient in any form.  It is therefore best suited to situations where hypersensitivity and severe allergic reactions are a known issue.

Allergy Management

Once the type and severity of allergic reactions is determined, we are committed to offering our patients the best possible ways to manage their allergies. Dr. Quinn helps his patients deal with allergies using a wide variety of strategies. Many allergies can be managed with prescription and over-the-counter drugs. For the common pollen allergies that are experienced with seasonal variation, symptoms can be alleviated with antihistamines, nasal sprays, or a combination of medications. Dr. Quinn knows what works and can help you sort through the options to find the best, most cost-effective solution.

Allergy Treatment

Though allergies are generally seen as an unchangeable condition, in many cases this is far from the truth.  As children grow, they often grow out of their allergies as well.  It is often possible to eliminate the negative effects of allergies altogether by gradually acclimating the body to the presence of allergens — as this treatment progresses, the allergy effectively disappears.  This treatment is accomplished through a series of allergy shots that vaccinate the body with increasing doses of the allergen. 

During this immunotherapy, the body slowly becomes accustomed to the allergen, and allergic reactions are reduced or eliminated entirely. Dr. Quinn Ear, Nose & Throat specializes in providing allergy shots at regular intervals until an allergy is eliminated.  The increasing doses (generally administered weekly) effectively “teach” the immune system to tolerate the allergen. This type of “desensitization treatment” can reduce symptoms, help limit medication use, and increase general quality of life. Allergy shots can reduce or eliminate severe allergic reactions and are covered by most insurance plans. Call Dr. Quinn ENT at 704-782-6673 today to learn more about your options for allergy treatment, including allergy shots.