CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) -
For
most people, thoughts of springtime consist of beautiful flowers, relaxing
poolside and enjoying a Sunday drive. But for others, the only blooms they
notice are ragweed, grass and maple trees.
UC
Health department of otolaryngology (ENT) will host free allergy
screenings to screen patients for the most common allergens.
Walk ins
will
be welcomed, however calling ahead is suggested.
During the appointments, patients will be screened for the common sources of
inhalant allergies in a variety of classes: dust mites, mold, grass,
maple
tree, ragweed and cat.
The screenings are done via skin prick testing, in which a very small amount
of the allergen is put into an indentation in the skin of the forearm. If the
patient is sensitive
to
any of the allergens, he or she will experience a small amount of swelling
near the specific allergen. The swelling generally goes down shortly after
the test.
"If someone does
react,
then it would be worthwhile following up for a
full
appointment and evaluation," said Dr. Allen Seiden, an allergy specialist at UC Health. "Many more people think they have allergies when they
really don't. It
is helpful to know if your symptoms are
related
to allergies, since you can then take certain steps to help control the
problem."
Symptoms that usually indicate a need for allergen testing include:
- Respiratory:
itchy eyes, nose or throat; nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes,
coughing or wheezing.
- Skin: hives or itchiness.
- Anaphylaxis:
a serious allergic reaction affecting many parts of the body at the same
time.
Call 513-475-8400 for your free screening. Time slots are filling up. Leave your name and call back number.
Screenings are Tuesday, March 19 at the Medical Arts Building next to the Barrett Center from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Thursday, March 21 at University Point physicians building in West Chester, 7690 Discovery Drive suite 3900 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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