Consultation with an allergist

Before the consultation (both face-to-face and remote), you are asked to prepare and present to the specialist at least the following examination results and medical records:

• a list of the medical conditions (symptoms) observed, including the approximate time of onset and severity, as well as family history if any family member has a history of allergy;
• a list of medicines you take on a daily basis (exact name, dosage, route of administration);
• previous investigations into complaints that may be related to the allergy, and medical reports;
• if you suspect that a chemical, cosmetic, medicine, clothing, gloves, etc. may be causing the allergy etc. – a sample of the substance or material so that your doctor can assess whether you have an allergy;
• If food allergies are suspected or atopic dermatitis is present, it is advisable to keep a food diary, recording the foods eaten and the reactions experienced (allergic reactions, other symptoms), as well as the medications, ointments and skin care products used to reduce allergic reactions. By examining the records, it is possible to identify or exclude certain potential allergy triggers more quickly;
• If you have respiratory complaints, it is advisable to keep a cough diary, recording the date, time and type of symptom:
  • in the case of cough: the type of cough – dry, hacking, wet, sputum, etc.; whether it is more pronounced in the morning or in the evening; possible triggers – physical exertion, rapid changes in air temperature or humidity, contact with an animal, etc;
  • chest noises – wheezing, gurgling, etc. etc.;
  • runny nose, stuffy nose, runny nose, some kind of nasal discharge, and when it is more noticeable – morning, evening;
  • and whether these symptoms were accompanied by a high temperature or fever; whether any medication was taken and whether it reduced these symptoms;
• for asthma patients:
  • on the day of the doctor’s appointment, it is advisable not to take inhaled medicines (salbutamol, ventolin, seretin, etc.) if your health condition allows it. If you cannot do without salbutamol (ventolin) for that long, a 4-6 hour break before the visit would be preferable. It is advisable to bring your inhaler to the appointment so that the doctor can check that you are using it correctly;
  • complete an asthma control test before your appointment and keep the results to show the specialist. The test is available at
    https://www.asthmacontroltest.com/lv-lv/quiz/adult-quiz/
    .

Experienced allergists provide consultations both in person and remotely via video call. Initial consultations requiring allergy tests or other types of investigations are face-to-face only!

Although remote consultations are becoming increasingly popular nowadays, research shows that a specialist consultation, especially a first visit, is more effective in person, as it gives the specialist the opportunity to better assess the patient.

If you would like to have a preventive check-up or to consult an allergist to confirm your diagnosis and develop a treatment plan, we recommend that you book an in-person consultation.

A remote consultation may be an option if you have met with an allergist before and the specialist is monitoring and monitoring your health.

At the consultation, the allergist asked about the complaints, medical history, allergic symptoms, their type and provoking factors, as well as the medicines you take on a daily basis. To find out what is causing your allergy, your allergist may perform skin prick tests or refer you for laboratory tests. If the problem is related to breathing, lung function can be checked – a spirography test. If necessary, your allergist can refer you to a pulmonologist.

If necessary, the allergist may perform or refer for additional tests depending on the type of allergy, symptoms and possible allergy triggers: application test, food provocation test, skin prick test, intracutaneous test, dermograph test, nasal provocation test, molecular allergen test, drug provocation test, respiratory diagnostics – bronchial provocation test or ice cube test.

After the tests, the allergist identifies the allergy triggers and makes recommendations. Allergy medicine offers different treatments depending on each patient’s individual situation. Unfortunately, allergic diseases tend to be chronic, and most often medication only helps to prevent symptoms rather than treating the allergy. Therefore, the patient must also be prepared to change living conditions if the allergy trigger is, for example, mould, dust mites, animals or certain foods.

The results of an allergy consultation depend on the individual patient’s health condition, symptoms and the purpose of the visit. The consultation leads to a diagnosis, a personalised treatment plan and knowledge about allergy prevention.