Is allergy treatment right for you?

  • The right allergy treatment is based on your medical history, the results of your allergy tests, and if your symptoms are mild or severe. Your allergy treatment plan may include three treatment types: avoiding allergens, medicines, and/or immunotherapy (allergens given as a shot or placed under the tongue).
  • Start a visit to learn more about which option is right for you.
Overview

Steps to Getting Allergy Treatment

Step 1. Book a Video Allergy Testing Referral consult so that a healthcare provider can assess your symptoms, review your medical history, and order a lab if appropriate to determine which allergies are causing your symptoms
Step 2: You may need to follow up with additional consults based on the treatment plan developed between you and your provider. This may include:

  • Video Allergy Testing Results consult so that a healthcare provider can interpret the results of your lab tests and order a prescription.
  • In-Person Allergy Treatment Initial Dose visit if , you and your provider determine sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is right for you.
  • Video Allergy Treatment Follow-Up visit so that your clinician can assess your symptoms and provide you with a prescription refill if deemed clinically necessary.

Video environmental allergy consult

Video visit with a clinician to assess environmental allergy testing and/or treatment needs.

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Video allergy test results review visit

Video allergy test results review visit includes lab test results interpretation & allergy prescription order if deemed clinically appropriate by your provider.

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In-person allergy treatment initial dose visit

In-person allergy treatment initial dose visit includes medication administration in a clinical settings, as well as a 30-minute post-administration observation by a healthcare provider.

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Video allergy treatment follow-up visit

Video allergy treatment follow-up visit includes an allergy symptom assessment & a prescription refill, if deemed clinically appropriate by your provider.

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Allergies happen when your body thinks that harmless substances, like pet dander or peanuts, are actually pathogens that could make you sick. When this happens, your body prompts an immune response - which causes the symptoms like itchy eyes, itchy or runny nose, and scratchy throat that make allergic reactions troublesome.

There is a wide range of things that can cause an allergy as well as a wide range of reactions you can get as a result. You may get hives from a drug allergy, an itchy tongue from a food allergy, sneezing from a pet allergy, or a cough from a mold allergy. Allergy triggers can come in many forms such as airborne particles like pollen or dust, or as a result of a sting.

Allergic reactions are one of the most common conditions allergists treat. These usually occur in the eyes, nose, throat, sinuses, lungs, and skin. Another common condition is hay fever (allergic rhinitis), which refers to allergic reactions that cause a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, and itchy throat. These reactions are usually caused by an allergen like pollen, dust, or mold.

While many conditions like hay fever are the result of seasonal allergies and occur during certain times of the year, perennial allergies occur year-round. Asthma, for example, occurs when the airways in your lungs swell and inflame, which causes excess mucus and makes it hard to breathe. Allergens and irritants can also cause skin reactions like eczema (dermatitis) and hives.

Because allergies live on a wide spectrum, the best treatment for you depends on your particular allergy and the severity of your allergic response. Your allergist can help you determine what allergies you may have, and develop a plan catered to what is right for you. Some treatments options include:

  • Over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medicines such as antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, eye drops, or a combination of OTC medications
  • Immunotherapy tablets or allergy shots
  • Acupuncture
  • Avoiding triggers

Knowing what you're allergic to is half the battle. In order to determine your triggers, your allergist may recommend skin or blood tests. Once identified, your allergist can help you find ways to best avoid the allergens and can offer treatment options specific to your individual case. Book a virtual allergist consult through Sesame and receive quality care by a licensed professional at a fraction of the cost. Know your price. On your schedule. Yep, it's really that simple.

Different types of allergies call for different types of treatment. Hay fever treatment may involve allergy medication such as corticosteroids or eye drops, but you might not treat insect stings with the same medications. Depending on the severity of the insect sting allergy, you may need to keep epinephrine with you at all times. Connect with a doctor on Sesame to learn more about what triggers your allergies and how to treat them.

Your allergy will dictate how you avoid it. For example, if you have a food allergy your doctor might recommend that you read food labels before eating. Perhaps you're sneezing because of an indoor allergen, such as mold or dust mites. In that case, your doctor might suggest the use of a dehumidifier or air purifier. Seasonal allergies might lead you to check pollen counts in your area. The solution is closely tied to the type and severity of allergy you experience.

Allergy treatments can help you manage or eliminate symptoms related to allergies. Allergies occur because of the over-production of antibodies by your immune system. An allergist can help you determine what allergens cause your immune system to overreact and, with proper treatment, get back to living the life you want to live without the fuss of allergies.

The short answer is no. But your symptoms related to the allergy are treatable. Immunology treatments such as sublingual immunotherapy can help decrease or eliminate your symptoms. Whether it's a food allergy or seasonal allergies, Sesame clears your way to care. You don't need insurance to save on quality care.

If you are experiencing severe allergic reactions including mouth swelling, vomiting, hives, dizziness, or difficulty breath, you should dial 911. These types of side effects are often (but not always) caused by insect stings, medication, or food allergies. Anaphylaxis can be a life-threatening emergency, so don't wait if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

Spring is in the air - and so are the allergies. Common seasonal allergies include:

Weed pollen: Ragweed, pigweed, tumbleweed, and sagebrush are major hayfever producers. Hayfever from weed pollen can often last from spring till fall.

Flower pollen: Sunflowers, daisies, and chamomile are some common flowers that cause allergies.

Tree pollen: Many trees have pollen that irritates some people including pine, beech, elm, hickory, walnut, sycamore, and pecan.

Grass: Grass pollinates in spring in most regions of the US.

Mold and mildew: Fungi that can spread in moist areas, often in humid places. During wetter months, mold counts rise, often causing more cases of allergy-related symptoms.

Animal dander: It isn't the hair of a dog that causes the allergy. That is a misnomer. It's actually a protein in a dog's saliva and urine that can stick to fur and dander causing the allergy to occur. That is why hairless dogs are less likely to cause irritation because they don't shed the saliva-ridden particles as much as a dog with fur. Animal dander is more common during the winter months.

Allergy season is dependent on what allergy you have and where you live. Common allergy seasons include spring and fall for high pollen counts, while mold allergies occur when it's moist. This could mean winter if you live in the midwest, or from winter to spring if you live in the Pacific Northwest. It all depends on your allergy and your location.

You don't have to wait for fall, winter, or spring to arrive to get treatment for allergies. Book a virtual or in-person visit with an allergist without the fuss of an insurance company. You get fair, upfront prices for every service with Sesame. See who you want, when you want. No mark-ups or restrictions. Yep, it's really that simple.

Seasonal allergy symptoms can include allergic rhinitis (sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose, sinus pressure or pain, nasal congestion), and swollen or red itchy eyes. If your symptoms become unmanageable, consider seeing a doctor.

Your allergist might recommend the use of over-the-counter medications including antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays depending on your allergy triggers.

For more severe allergies your doctor may recommend allergy immunotherapy, such as allergy shots or tablets, which can train your body to become less sensitive to the allergen. Before you begin treatment, your doctor may start with a blood test or skin test to determine which specific allergen you have, and then create a treatment plan specific to you that usually lasts for 3 to 6 months. A secondary maintenance phase can last around 3 to 5 years or sometimes longer.

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a form of prescription allergy immunotherapy which comes in the form of a tablet. The tablets are placed under the tongue and held there until they dissolve, and are then swallowed. SLIT allergy tablets are generally taken daily and are designed to slowly reduce allergy symptoms over time.
At present, the FDA has approved SLIT tablets for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) caused by allergies to dust mites, ragweed pollen, and grass pollen. Some studies also suggest that it may improve eczema symptoms in some patients.

There are several key differences between allergy tablets (SLIT) and allergy shots, also known as subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT). Allergy tablets are considered to be safer than allergy shots, as the likelihood of a full-body reaction is less likely than with SCIT shots. SLIT tablets are also considerably more convenient since they can be self-administered at home.

However, allergy tablets are only available for a limited number of allergens (ragweed, dust mites and grass pollens), whereas allergy shots are able to address a much wider range. Allergy shots also appear to be slightly more effective than allergy tablets in addressing allergy symptoms long-term.

Sesame video allergy consults are available 24/7 in all 50 states and can be used whenever you need to talk to a health care provider about allergy symptoms. During the appointment, your clinician will assess your symptoms and provide a treatment plan, which may include a prescription if deemed clinically necessary.
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