Immunotherapy Specialist

ENT of New Orleans Our Services Immunotherapy
ENT of New Orleans - - ENT Specialist

ENT of New Orleans

ENT Specialists & Facial Plastic Surgery located in Marrero, LA , New Orleans, LA , Chalmette, LA, & Harvey, LA servicing the Greater New Orleans area

Allergies that cause chronic symptoms and don’t improve with medication can make your life miserable. If you’re struggling with a chronic respiratory allergy, Gregory Pippin, MD, and Adil Fatakia, MD, at ENT of New Orleans, can help. Serving the Greater New Orleans area at their offices in Marrero and New Orleans East, Louisiana, Dr. Pippin and Dr. Fatakia offer long-term relief from allergies using immunotherapy. Immunotherapy isn’t an instant cure, but if other treatments aren’t easing your allergy symptoms, it might make all the difference. Call ENT of New Orleans today to find out more or book an appointment online.

Immunotherapy Q & A

What is immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is an allergy treatment. It works to get rid of the cause of your allergy (called an allergen).

Allergies develop when your immune system goes into overdrive and reacts badly to something that isn’t really harmful. Common types of allergens include:

  • Animal dander
  • Pollen
  • Dust
  • Mold spores
  • Insect venom

If you have an allergy, contact with the allergen causes symptoms that can interfere with your home life and work or school.

What symptoms do allergies cause?

Allergies that affect your nose and throat cause symptoms like:

  • Sneezing
  • Blocked nasal passages
  • Streaming eyes
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny nose
  • Red, swollen eyes

For many patients who have symptoms like these, medications like antihistamines help them manage their condition very well. If, however, you’ve been using medications without any improvement in your symptoms, then you might have better results with immunotherapy.

How are allergies diagnosed?

ENT of New Orleans operates an on-site, state-of-the-art diagnostic lab, so finding the cause of your allergy is a fast, convenient, and accurate process.

One of the key tests used for allergy diagnosis is the skin test. A technician puts small amounts of potential allergens on your skin. If your skin reacts to one of these allergens, it indicates you have an allergy to that substance.

After the allergen is identified, you begin your immunotherapy.

How does immunotherapy work?

Immunotherapy works by getting your body used to the allergen that’s causing your symptoms.

You get an injection or drops under your tongue (sublingual immunotherapy) containing a small dose of the allergen.

Taking these small doses regularly gives your body a chance to get used to the allergen and to become immune to it. Immunotherapy is particularly effective for allergies to substances you inhale and to insect venom. It isn’t effective on other types of allergies like food or medication.

While you can have immunotherapy as a shot, you might prefer sublingual immunotherapy. It’s easier and less uncomfortable to have drops placed under your tongue than to have an injection. You can also take sublingual immunotherapy at home.

How long does immunotherapy take to work?

Immunotherapy does take time to work, so you won’t see much change to start with. The length of time it takes for your body to develop a tolerance to the allergen varies greatly between patients. However, it’s not unusual for it to take 1-2 years for immunotherapy to get results.

To find out more about immunotherapy and how you could benefit from this treatment, call ENT of New Orleans today or book an appointment online.

We see patients all throughout the Greater New Orleans area. Call us to book your appointment today.

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