I was miserable with allergy symptoms. Every season, new allergens would bother me. I felt like I couldn’t get a break. A friend told me how much her allergist had helped, so I made an appointment. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but my friend helped me prepare.
Turns out preparation is helpful. My first visit went smoothly because I had answers to the doctor’s questions about my allergy history. I felt more confident, like I was part of a team that would get to the bottom of my problems and bring some relief. And yes, I did find relief from my allergies, thanks to my allergist.
Let’s look at how I prepared for my first allergy visit, and why preparation was helpful.
Write a List of Symptoms
I wrote down all my allergy symptoms, how often I experienced each symptom, and how long I’d felt those symptoms. I made a note of anything that made the symptoms worse: seasons, locations, activities.
I didn’t know my low-grade fevers were related to air mold in the mulch around my house. But the allergist made that connection and tested me accordingly. If I hadn’t associated fevers with yard work, I might not have mentioned the mulch. The allergist knew specific allergens to test because of my list of symptoms.
List Medications and Supplements
I wrote a list of everything I was taking, including vitamins, medicinal herbal tea, over-the-counter medications, and prescriptions. My friend encouraged me to list everything, even if I didn’t think it was relevant. What might seem trivial to me could be clues and connections for the allergist.
It’s also helpful to call the allergist in advance and ask how medications and supplements might affect testing. The allergist’s office can guide you in preparation for your visit.
Bring a List of Your Family Allergy History
This list might be hard to prepare, as you might not be aware of allergies experienced by members of your immediate family. But include what you are aware of, and you might want to contact family members for more details.
Family allergy history can include allergies, asthma, eczema, and food sensitivities. Everything you list can help the allergist in making connections.
Practical Preparation
It’s a good idea to call the allergist’s office ahead of time, to find out if they’ll do skin testing at your first appointment. If so, ask if there’s anything you need to do to prepare. You’ll want to wear short sleeves or loose-fitting clothing for easier skin testing.
Write down any questions or concerns you have and bring those to your appointment. Don’t depend on your memory. Sometimes, just the uncertainties of being in a doctor’s office can cause memories to go blank. Just bring your list with you.
You’ll probably have more questions after your appointment, so you’ll want to write those down too. Don’t be afraid to follow up with more questions and concerns. A good allergist is willing to respond and help clarify things.
You don’t need to spend a mountain of time preparing, but whatever you can write down will help. When your allergist asks questions and asks for information, it’s not to quiz you, it’s to help you. The allergist isn’t expecting you to have the solutions–that’s why you’re going to see an allergist, after all, to discover the answers. But whatever information you can provide will be helpful in connecting the allergy dots.
My first visit to the allergist was helpful, and it included skin testing. He identified my most prominent allergies and gave me a plan for healing. At the end of my treatment period, I was free of those allergies. I could breathe so much better and felt like my life was restored. I am grateful to my allergist and my friend who recommended that path for me.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. I’m a content writer, not a medical professional. For questions about your health, please consult a licensed healthcare provider.
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Educational blog posts like this help new patients feel informed and supported–before they even walk in the door. If your practice could use this kind of content, I’d be happy to help.
Janet Eriksson 