If you have seasonal allergies, you know how frustrating this can be. Not only do you have a lot of sneezing, but also experience red, itchy eyes, stuffed nose, headaches, and more. Below is information on how a doctor determines the type of allergy you have, and the allergy treatments available. 

Test for Allergies

The doctor may do a skin test to determine the type of allergy you have. This is pricking your skin with proteins that are found in allergens. If you are allergic to the allergen, your skin will start turning red and raise up. The needles used are generally small, so this is not very painful. The doctor may have to use a variety of skin pricks if you have severe allergies. This is because you may be allergic to more than one thing. 

A blood test can also be done to help test for allergies. This test measures the number of allergy antibodies that are found in your bloodstream. Once they take the blood sample, they send it to a lab to have it tested. The lab then sends the results back to the doctor. 

Allergy Treatment

There are many forms of allergy treatments, including:

Use Medications

One of the first things a doctor may try is using medications. This is the easiest way to deal with your allergies. You may take a pill medication along with a nose spray or may only use one of these. If you have red, itchy eyes, your doctor can prescribe eye drops to you to help with this. 

They may start you on over-the-counter allergy medication in the beginning to see how this works for you. If it does not, the doctor will prescribe you allergy medication. Make sure you look at the side effects, as some medications may make you feel tired until your body gets adjusted to it. 

Immunotherapy

If you have a severe allergy problem, the doctor may choose immunotherapy as a treatment option for you. This is only if medications are not working well for you. With immunotherapy, the doctor will give you a series of injections of allergen extracts. These injections are given over a period of time, such as a few weeks or even a few years. 

There is also tablet immunotherapy the doctor may choose. You place the tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve. This works well if you have an allergy to pollen during certain times of the year. 

Your doctor can give you much more information on how they test for allergies, as well as treatment options. To learn more about what allergy treatments are available to you, reach out to a local service.