How was your first allergist appointment?

I'm going to visit an allergist for the first time on March 30. I've already seen an ears, nose & throat doctor. When he put a cotton pad into my nose it started running, my eyes got wet and I almost sneezed, to which he said I seem to be "even allergic to the cotton pad". I'm pretty sure I'm allergic to cats because I sneeze after kissing/being near my cat and have big rashes from her scratches. But other than that I don't know what I'm also allergic to. So I just want to know what your first allergist appointment was like. What did the allergist do? Did he/she find out what allergies you have right away? Did you have any treatment, if any?

Now days testing is relatively mild compared to the testing types they did when I was younger. I was just tested for the third time (I'm 29) about 2 months ago. I was previously tested as a child (around 7) and in my early teens (14).

My allergist does a skin surface test, which basically they lay something on your skin and slightly irritate the surface of the skin. You then wait a few minutes and you should know your results on the test day. They measure the rash spot that the allergen causes on your skin - It usually takes about 30 minutes.  Occasionally if you have some allergies they want to further test they do the skin prick test or blood tests.

For best results, lay off any antihistamines 7-10 days before your test date. Your allergist will tell you this.

Allergies change over time. Although I am still severe with my environmental allergies, my food allergies are not present any more. I grew out of most of those by my teens. Even some of my environmental allergies have changed.

Also - Don't rule out your pet yet. Pets - indoor and outdoor can trap dust, pollen, molds, and all other nasty things in their fur. I'm actually not allergic to dogs or cats anymore, just the grass pollens and dust he brings with him. (Horses on the other hand, I'm highly allergic to now, even those I was not the past two times I was tested, and rode regularly as a child.)

I take weekly allergy shots now, along with antihistamines and nasal spray blockers.  The best course of treatment for me has always been allergy shots. They build up your immunity to block things over time. It's not an instant recovery, but it is a steady help. Antihistimines help too - but you have to be devoted to taking them every day. And if you are allergic to everything like me, you do it all, and still have a runny nose and sinus infections, although it's much milder than before.

Hope this helps!

Thank you Penny!

I had my allergist appointment today. He did a skin prick test and found that I'm allergic to grass/pollen, cats, dogs and dustmites (no surprise). He suggested that I either get rid of my cat or use Omnaris nasal spray. Needless to say I chose the nasal spray. He said the results should be seen within a month and if not, I should contact him. Do you know anything about this nasal spray? Have you used it?