Allergy Services
Expert diagnosis and treatment of allergic disease by our highly trained nursing staff — serving patients across all three Rhode Island locations.
Important Reminder
Due to insurance regulations, patients cannot receive allergy shots on the same day they have an appointment to see the doctor.
What Is an Allergy?
An allergy is an exaggerated immunological response to substances that does not occur in the average individual. The normally functioning immune system identifies true environmental threats such as viruses or bacteria and attempts to remove them from the body. The allergic immune system instead identifies environmental factors — such as pollen, dust, mold, and certain foods — as dangerous.
How Are Allergies Diagnosed?
Once you have been seen by one of our physicians and allergic disease is suspected, you may be referred to our Allergy Department. The nurses of RI ENT are highly skilled and trained health care providers with years of experience in testing and treating allergic disease.
Skin Testing (Skin Endpoint Titration)
Skin testing is performed on the upper arm using very small needles. A tiny amount of antigen is injected between the layers of skin to produce a wheal (a mosquito-like bump). After a waiting period, the wheal is measured — an increase in size indicates an allergy to that specific antigen.
RAST Testing (Radioallergosorbent Testing)
A blood test that measures the amount of IgE antibodies produced in response to specific allergens. RAST testing is an alternative for patients who cannot undergo skin testing.
Treatment Options
Once testing is completed and allergic disease is diagnosed, several treatments are available to relieve your symptoms.
Environmental Control
Reducing exposure to allergens at home — including pet dander, dust mites, and mold — is the first line of defense. Practical steps include hard-surface flooring, regular steam cleaning of rugs, dampened dusting, and keeping pets out of the bedroom.
Antihistamines & Decongestants
These medications help prevent and treat the symptoms of allergic disease. Newer antihistamines work without causing drowsiness. Decongestants are effective for most patients but should be avoided by those with hypertension.
Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots)
Allergy injections are very effective in preventing and treating allergic disease. By giving the patient a tiny amount of what they are allergic to, we train the immune system to ignore it — decreasing symptoms, reducing infection frequency, and typically reducing the amount of medication needed.
Sublingual Therapy
For very young patients who cannot tolerate injections, or adult patients who travel frequently, RI ENT offers sublingual therapy — drops placed under the tongue daily as an alternative to allergy shots.
Allergy Serum
Allergy serum is made in our office based on your individual test results. This serum is used to desensitize your body to allergens. Our nurses are trained to safely produce each patient's unique serum — no two patients use the same serum.
Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT)
PFT is a screening breathing test that diagnoses obstructive or restrictive lung disease. Allergic patients can experience difficulty breathing, and PFT helps diagnose the extent of that difficulty. The test is performed by blowing into a tube attached to a small computer, with results printed for the doctor's interpretation.
Patient Teaching
One of the nursing staff's most important duties is patient education. Our nurses have years of experience helping patients achieve the best results possible to treat and prevent allergic symptoms, and provide guidance to other physicians when needed.
Allergy Department Hours
Available at all three locations
Schedule an Allergy Evaluation
Contact any of our three Rhode Island locations to schedule an appointment with our allergy department.
Patient Forms & Information