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Prepare for your visit to the doctor

When you visit your doctor, he will ask you many questions about your symptoms, your lifestyle and your personal and family history. So it is better to be prepared with your answers. To help you do this, the column on the right has a list of questions that your doctor may ask you. Think about them beforehand and write down the answers so you do not forget them.

You may find it useful to prepare an Allergy Diary so that you can give your doctor some clear information about when your allergy symptoms appear and what makes them better or worse.

Help to complete your Allergy Diary.

 

  • What are your symptoms?
  • How frequent and how severe are your symptoms?
  • How long have you had problems and do you have any other allergic diseases? If, for example, you go to see your doctor about allergic rhinitis (hay fever) he will want to know if you have any redness and itchiness in your eyes; signs of asthma, such as tightness of the chest; or any skin rashes. Allergy can appear in several places at the same time.
  • Are your symptoms seasonal or do they occur all the year round? Are your symptoms worse when you are outside in the open air or when you are in the house? This will help your doctor establish what is causing your allergy.
  • If your symptoms are seasonal, at what time or times of the year do you have problems?
  • If your symptoms occur all the year round, at what time of day they are worst, in the morning when you wake up or later in the day? Also, your doctor may ask you if there is anything you know of in the home which triggers your symptoms.
  • Your doctor may ask about your habits at home, particularly if you, or anyone else at home, smoke. You will be asked about contact with pets. You may also be asked if eating particular foods brings on your symptoms.
  • You will be asked about your occupation and hobbies as there may be allergens associated with these activities that trigger your symptoms.
  • Your doctor will want to know about any drugs you are taking that may cause your allergy.
  • Is there a history of allergy, asthma, allergic rhinitis or eczema in your family? So ask your parents, brothers and sisters if they have ever had any of these problems. Also, ask your parents if you had skin rashes or signs of asthma when you were very young.
  • Does the disease affect your lifestyle, such as your work (or school), leisure time or sleep? Allergies often disturb your sleep and make you feel tired in the morning.
  • Have you had any previous treatment for your condition? If so, did it work, did it have side effects, did you continue with the treatment and did you have any concerns about it?