As ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists, our physicians are able to diagnose and treat disorders of the upper respiratory tract, ear, nose, sinuses, throat, etc. caused by allergic conditions. We also evaluate non-allergic factors that may contribute to your symptoms e.g. septal deviation, turbinate enlargement, chronic sinus infections, and sleep apnea. As physicians and surgeons specializing in all diseases affecting the head and neck, we can effectively treat these co-morbid conditions. We use comprehensive, multi-modality medical therapy to control allergy symptoms.

What can be done about Allergies?

There are three basic, accepted approaches to allergy care:

Avoidance of the offending allergens (things to which a person is allergic), medications, and allergy shots or desensitization.

Medications can frequently control allergy symptoms. These may include antihistamines, decongestants, prescription nasal sprays, and other products.

When allergen avoidance and medications do not control allergy symptoms, the otolaryngic allergist can alter the body's overactive response through regular injections of the actual allergens to which a patient is sensitive. This treatment, similar to the vaccination for infectious diseases such as the flu, can be administered after allergy testing has determined what has triggered the allergic response. Over time it may be possible to alter a person's excessive response to these environmental allergens, and both improve symptoms, and decrease the need for medications and allergen avoidance for many years.

Skin tests are diagnostic tests used by physicians or nurse practitioners to assist in determining which allergen a person may react.

Using diluted extracts from specific allergens, the physician or nurse practitioner will prick, scratch or inject the skin of the allergic person to determine the level of lgE antibodies.

When the test is positive a small red raised area called a wheal will appear. The reddened area around the wheal is called a flare.

A blood test is a diagnostic procedure used to determine the level of IgE antibodies present in a person who has allergic reactions and symptoms.

The blood test most commonly used is called RAST (radioallergosorbent test), which may be used even when the patient is taking medications for the allergic reactions, or if the patient has dermatological allergic reactions such as eczema. Allergy testing is done at our Hinsdale office by appointment on Wednesday afternoon.