Allergy Treatment

Who has allergies?

It is estimated that at least 20% of the population is likely to develop some kind of allergy. It is most common for allergies to begin in childhood, but symptoms can manifest themselves at any age. You are never too old to develop allergies!

What are the most common allergens?

The pollen of trees, grasses and weeds, mold spores, dust mites, animal dander, feathers, drugs, and insect venom are some common allergens.

Seasonal allergies are caused by exposure to allergens at certain times of the year. In the spring, peak pollination time for trees occurs from March through May. During summertime, there is the peak pollination of grass pollen. Finally, from September to the first heavy frost brings the prime time for weed pollens.

Perennial allergy symptoms are caused by the allergens found in our environment all year round, including the dander of our pets in our homes, dust mites, and mold spores.

Should an otolaryngologist treat your allergies?



A large portion of problems experienced by our patients is related to allergies. As a medical and surgical specialty, allergy diagnosis and management are within the scope of otolaryngology.



The management of allergic disorders is part of the training and examination required to become board certified. Therefore, our board-certified otolaryngologists are qualified to care for patients with allergic disorders.

Testing is performed by highly-qualified medical assistants and will take approximately two hours. Using the arms as testing sites, a drop of each allergen is injected under the first layer of skin; a prick method can also be used.

The skin will be monitored to measure the size of the reactions, which appear as wheals (hives or welts). Based on that, we’ll determine what you are allergic to and if treatment with allergy serum injections is warranted.

During the testing period, the medical assistant will also provide detailed instructions concerning allergen control in the home environment. If skin testing is not an option, blood testing is an alternative method that can be used to identify allergies.

How Do We Treat Allergies in Louisville, KY?

If you have positive testing for multiple allergens, the provider may recommend Immunotherapy—an ongoing series of allergy serum injections or drops as treatment. This form of treatment requires two to five years of patient commitment to weekly injections and yearly physician review visits. But with ongoing care, your seasonal and perennial allergies will improve.

Other treatment options include taking prescribed antihistamine medications, decongestants, using prescribed nasal steroids, and implementing environmental controls in the home.

Kentuckiana Ear Nose & Throat also provides sublingual allergy treatment, which can be done from the convenience of your home. For more information, please contact the Allergy Department.