When to See an Allergist About Your Asthma
An allergist can help you learn more about your asthma and develop a treatment plan that works for you.
The Guidelines say that you should see an asthma specialist if you:
- have asthma symptoms every day and often at night that cause you to limit your activity
- have had a life-threatening asthma attack
- do not meet the goals of your asthma treatment after three to six months, or your doctor believes you are not responding to current treatment
- have symptoms that are unusual or hard to diagnose
- have conditions such as severe hay fever or sinusitis that complicate your asthma or your diagnosis
- need more tests to find out more about your asthma and the causes of your symptoms
- need more help and instruction on your treatment plan, medicines or asthma triggers
- might be helped by allergy shots
- need oral corticosteroid therapy or high-dose inhaled corticosteroids
- have taken oral corticosteroids more than twice in one year
- have stayed in a hospital because of your asthma
- need help to identify your asthma triggers
An asthma specialist is recommended for children ages 0-4 who have asthma symptoms every day and three to four nights or more a month, and should be considered for children who have symptoms three days or more a week and one to two nights a month.