Allergic Rhinitis: When To Call A Doctor

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When to Call a Doctor

Call your doctor if you have been diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and:

• You have pain in the sinus area and other symptoms of sinus infection (fever, or a creamy, yellow or green discharge from the nose).
• Your symptoms get worse and you don't know why.
• You are taking a prescription or over-the-counter allergy medicine that does not help your symptoms.
• Your allergy medicine is causing side effects that bother you, such as decreased coordination or increased drowsiness.
• You develop a fever or ear pain.
• You have a cough or cold that lasts longer than 1 to 2 weeks.
• You have severe itching of the eyes or nose.
• Your allergy disturbs your life.

Your doctor can help you find which allergens are causing your reaction so you can reduce your contact with them. He or she may be able to prescribe medicines that reduce or get rid of your symptoms.

If you have not been diagnosed with allergies and you have allergy symptoms that concern you, call your doctor.

Watchful waiting

Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. If you get better on your own, you won't need treatment. If you get worse, you and your doctor will decide what to do next.

You can use watchful waiting if you have mild symptoms that do not need treatment or that you can relieve with over-the-counter medicines. If you have severe symptoms or symptoms that last more than a few days, you should see your doctor.

Who to see

Health professionals who can evaluate and treat mild allergic rhinitis symptoms include:

• Family medicine physicians.
• Pediatricians.
• Internists.
• Nurse practitioners.
• Physician assistants.

You may need to see an allergy specialist (allergist) if:

• Your medicines are not working or they give you severe side effects.
• You need help in avoiding allergens.
• You are thinking about getting allergy shots (immunotherapy).
• Your symptoms or medicine side effects are making work or school more difficult.
• You often have complications, such as sinusitis or ear infection (otitis media).
• You have other medical problems, such as asthma.
• You need pill or injected corticosteroids to control your symptoms.
• You have had symptoms for longer than 3 months.

Your doctor may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist (also called an otolaryngologist or otorhinolaryngologist). An ENT specialist may be helpful if your doctor thinks you may have nasal polyps or other obstructions in your nose.

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Last updated:	August 08, 2007
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Harold S. Nelson, MD - Allergy and Immunology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman