Frequently
asked questions
Q.What languages are spoken.
A. Apart from English, Doctor Balson
is able to communicate
in Russian, Spanish and basic German
Q. When should I see an allergist?
A. Allergists are highly trained physicians,
who take care of
allergic diseases of the eyes, nose, lungs and skin as well as allergic
reactions to foods, drugs and different chemical agents. They take
care of the patients with asthma, hay fevers, eczema, dermatitis,
hives and many other allergic problems.
Q. Why should I see an allergist if I have asthma?
A. Asthma is an allergic condition of
the lower airways. In addition
to receiving expert treatment and evaluation of the severity of your
asthma, the allergist is able to identify allergies which might cause
your
medical problems. Elimination of these factors may tremendously improve
your asthma. Allergy shots have been shown to improve asthma severity
in several studies.
Q. Why should I see an allergist if I have hay fever?
A. Hay fever is an allergic disease of
eyes and nose which is always
caused by specific allergens in environment (pollen, dust, animal
dander).
Identification of these allergens and their avoidance will always
help the
patient. Conventional antihistamine medications and nasal sprays frequently
relieve the symptoms, but only allergy shots (immunotherapy) can
cure your allergies.
Q. What are allergy shots (immunotherapy)?
A. Allergy shots consist of a customized
mixture of allergens that
are given by injections throughout the course of several years. Allergens
used include pollen, dust mite, molds, animal dander.
Q. How effective are allergy shots?
A. Studies showed that allergy shots
are effective in more than
80% patients with hay fever. Allergy shots have been shown to
improve asthma severity in several studies, though their efficiency
was less noticeable than in patients with hay fever.
Q. Can allergy shots prevent asthma?
A. There are several studies showing
that allergy injections can prevent
asthma in patients at risk for asthma and who have hay fever.
Q. Does immunotherapy have side effects?
A. Immunotherapy has been performed for
almost 100 years and, in general, is
considered to be a safe and effective method of treatment. It does
not have
long-lasting side effects and can be performed in children and even
pregnant
women. However immediate reactions may rarely occur. Usually, they
can be
successfully suppressed with proper medications in the doctor’s
office.
Q. Does every patient need immunotherapy?
A. Patients who have short term and mild
manifestations of hay fever
probably can be treated symptomatically with conventional antihistamine
medications and nasal sprays. However, in cases of severe and prolonged
allergy problems as well as in case of constant exposure to an offending
agent, immunotherapy is always recommended.
Q. Is there the link between allergies and sinus infection?
A. Allergies do not cause infections,
but, by causing congestion and
obstruction of drainage from sinus cavities, they facilitate the development
of sinus infections. Identification of the offending allergens by
allergy
testing and environmental control may be critical to the successful
treatment of chronic sinusitis.
Q. What is eczema?
A. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is an allergic
condition of the skin that
frequently is worsened by food and environment allergens. Taking steps
to
identify and avoid these allergens, in combination with their appropriate
treatment, has been shown to greatly improve instances of eczema.
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