Frequently Asked Questions

New Patients

    • Blue Cross Key Physician Network

    • AHS (Blue Cross State of Mississippi)

    • MS Health Partners

    • MS Physicians Care Network

    • First Choice

    • United Health Care

    • Tricare

    • Medicare

    • Mississippi Baptist Medical Center

    • St. Dominic

  • We advise our patients to discontinue use of any antihistamines at least three to five days prior to the appointment with the doctor.

    Common antihistamines include:

    • Clarinex, Claritin, Allegra, Zyrtec, Actifed, Atarax, Benadryl, Contac, Deconamine, Dimetapp, Trinalin, Periactic, Phenergan, Rynatan, Tavist, Triaminic

    • Decongestant/antihistamine combination medications

    • Astelin, a prescription nose spray antihistamine

    • Any over-the-counter allergy medicines or cold & cough remedies

    • Any over-the-counter sleep aids − they usually contain sedating antihistamines

    • Some medications for dizziness and anti-depressants (tricyclic antidepressants), which can also contain antihistamines.

    Patients should continue to take, as prescribed, the following medications:

    • All of your other non-allergy medications

    • Antibiotics

    • All asthma medications

    • Oral steroid/prednisone

    • Prescription nose sprays, with the exception of Astelin

    • Decongestants that are not combined with an antihistamine

  • At Mississippi Asthma and Allergy Clinic, we treat a wide range of allergic, asthmatic, and immunologic disorders. Not all of these conditions require skin testing at the initial visit, and in some cases, it may not be advisable for patients to discontinue therapy beforehand. If needed, allergy testing will be conducted during the initial visit.

    Conditions That May Allow for Allergy Skin Testing During the Initial Visit:

    • Uncomplicated suspected allergic rhinitis

    • Uncomplicated suspected allergic conjunctivitis

    • Uncomplicated chronic sinus disease triggered by suspected allergic rhinitis

    • Uncomplicated suspected allergic rhinitis in a controlled asthmatic

    • Recurrent ear infections (not acutely ill) with suspected allergic rhinitis

    • Chronic skin disorder, such as controlled atopic dermatitis, with suspected allergic contribution

    • Chronic cough with associated nasal symptoms but without severe respiratory symptoms

    • Suspicion of food allergy without recent symptoms of reaction/anaphylaxis

    • Stinging insect allergy evaluation (e.g., wasp, yellow jacket, hornet, bee, fire ant) in patients without an anaphylactic event in the last four weeks

    • Penicillin or medication allergy, such as testing for local anesthetics

    • Nasal polyposis with associated chronic nasal symptoms

    Conditions for Which Allergy Skin Testing May Not Be Recommended at the Initial Visit Without Further Evaluation:

    • Acute or chronic urticaria (hives)

    • Angioedema (swelling)

    • Suspected allergic rhinitis in poorly controlled asthmatic

    • Suspected allergic rhinitis in a patient with poorly controlled atopic dermatitis

    • Suspected allergic rhinitis in a patient with acute, non-asthmatic respiratory symptoms

    • Suspected allergic rhinitis in a patient with fever

    • Patients who need testing for foods, medications, or stinging insects but are still symptomatic from a recent anaphylactic event

    • Patients with an unidentified cause for anaphylaxis or other life-threatening reactions

    • Suspected latex allergy

    • Suspected stinging insect allergy with a generalized reaction in the past four weeks

    • Suspected local anesthetic allergy without appropriate medications for testing

    • Patients with psychological/psychiatric conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression) taking medications with antihistaminic effects, which could worsen symptoms if discontinued

    If you’re unsure whether you should stop taking certain medications or if your condition is suitable for testing, contact our clinic before your appointment.

Asthma

  • Asthma tends to occur within families. The role of inheritance plays a less clear role in adult-onset asthma. People of any age may have asthma, but more than half the cases are found in children between the ages of 2 and 17. In young children, boys are nearly twice as likely to develop asthma as girls, but this gender difference tends to disappear in older age groups.

    There are a wide variety of "triggers" that may initiate an episode of asthma. The most common triggers are allergens, exercise, viral respiratory infections, respiratory irritants and aspirin.

  • Always follow the instructions of your allergist. The doctors at the Mississippi Allergy & Asthma Clinic will give patients who have been diagnosed with asthma a plan for both day-to-day management and specific instructions on what to do during an episode. In general, it is important to stay calm and take your prescribed medications. Bronchodilators are the most commonly prescribed drugs to treat an asthma episode. They relax the muscles surrounding the airways, resulting in dilation of the bronchial tubes. Bronchodilators may be inhaled, taken orally or injected.

  • Though it has long been treatable, a cure for asthma remains elusive. Preventive treatment, however, may minimize the difficulty an individual experiences with asthma. Scientists throughout the world are searching for specific cures.

  • Prevention of symptoms is always the best form of treatment. It is important for a patient with asthma to learn what conditions prompt symptoms and avoid them whenever possible. When avoidance is impossible, preventive treatment is desirable. Various forms of preventive therapy are available.

    Medications may be started prior to exercise or exposure to environments that predictably produce an attack.

    If asthma symptoms are frequent or unpredictable, your allergist may advise you to take medications on a routine basis. Drugs used for this purpose include inhaled steroids, antileukotrienes, cromolyn and related drugs, inhaled or oral beta agonists (some of which are long acting), long-acting theophyllines, or oral steroids. For allergic patients, immunotherapy (allergy shots) may offer relief from allergens that cannot be avoided. Immunotherapy increases a patient's tolerance to the allergens that prompt asthma symptoms and appears to help control the inflammation that underlies chronic asthma.

  • Above all else, learn everything you can about asthma;

    • Learn what triggers your (your child's) symptoms and avoid them as best you can;

    • Recognize the signs of an oncoming episode and learn to judge its severity;

    • Provide preventive care so that you or your child have the least amount of difficulty with symptoms;

    • Learn self management skills for yourself, and teach your child these skills in an age-appropriate way.

Allergies

  • One of the marvels of the human body is that it can defend itself against harmful invaders such as viruses or bacteria. But sometimes the defenses are too aggressive and harmless substances such as dust, molds or pollen are mistakenly identified as dangerous. The immune system then rallies its defenses, which include several chemicals to attack and destroy the supposed enemy. In the process, some unpleasant and, in extreme cases, life-threatening symptoms may be experienced in the allergy-prone individual.

  • Always follow the instructions of your allergist. The doctors at the Mississippi Allergy & Asthma Clinic will give patients who have been diagnosed with asthma a plan for both day-to-day management and specific instructions on what to do during an episode. In general, it is impor”

  • Asthma and allergies can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race or socioeconomic factors. While it's true that asthma and allergies are more common in children, they can occur for the first time at any age. Sometimes allergy symptoms start in childhood, disappear for many years and then start up again during adult life.

    Although the exact genetic factors are not yet understood, there is a hereditary tendency to asthma and allergies. In susceptible people, factors such as hormones, stress, smoke, perfume or other environmental irritants also may play a role.

  • An allergic reaction may occur anywhere in the body but usually appears in the nose, eyes, lungs, lining of the stomach, sinuses, throat and skin. These are places where special immune system cells are stationed to fight off invaders that are inhaled, swallowed or come in contact with the skin.

  • Often, the symptoms of asthma or allergies develop gradually over time.

    Allergy sufferers may become used to frequent symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion or wheezing. With the help of an allergist, these symptoms usually can be prevented or controlled with major improvement in quality of life.

    Effectively controlling asthma and allergies requires planning, skill and patience. The allergist, with his or her specialized training can develop a treatment plan for your individual condition. The goal will be to enable you to lead a life that is as normal and symptom-free as possible. A visit to the allergist might include:

    • Allergy testing. The allergist will usually perform tests to determine what allergens are involved.

    • Prevention education. The most effective approach to treating asthma or allergies is to avoid the factors that trigger the condition in the first place. Even when it is not possible to completely avoid allergens, an allergist can help you decrease exposure to allergens.

    • Medication prescriptions. A number of new and effective medications are available to treat both asthma and allergies.

    • Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots). In this treatment, patients are given injections every week or two of some or all of the allergens that cause their allergy problems. Gradually the injections get stronger and stronger. In most cases, the allergy problems get less and less over time.

    You should see an allergist if:

    • Your allergies are causing symptoms such as chronic sinus infections, nasal congestion or difficulty breathing.

    • You experience hay fever or other allergy symptoms several months out of the year.

    • Antihistamines and over-the-counter medications do not control your allergy symptoms or create unacceptable side effects, such as drowsiness.

    • Your asthma or allergies are interfering with your ability to carry on day-to-day activities.

    • Your asthma or allergies decrease the quality of your life.

    • You are experiencing warning signs of serious asthma such as:

    • You sometimes have to struggle to catch your breath.

    • You often wheeze or cough, especially at night or after exercise.

    • You are frequently short of breath or feel tightness in your chest.

    • You have previously been diagnosed with asthma, and you have frequent asthma attacks even though you are taking asthma medication.