From Epitope Health, epitopehealth.com. General information, not medical advice. If a reaction might be anaphylaxis, use epinephrine if it has been prescribed and call 911.
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Allergist visit checklist
Print this page, fill it in over the weeks before the appointment, and bring it along. Everything on it comes from the guides on this site.
In the weeks before
A record written at the time says more than a memory. One line per reaction is enough; the table at the end has room for eight.
- For each reaction, write down the date, what was eaten or touched, roughly how much, and how many minutes passed before symptoms began.
- Note the symptoms: skin (hives, swelling), breathing, stomach, dizziness or fainting, and how long they lasted.
- Note what was done: any medicine given, whether epinephrine was used, and any call to 911 or emergency visit.
- Note anything else that day, such as exercise, alcohol, an illness, or anti-inflammatory painkillers.
- List the foods eaten regularly without any problem. They matter as much as the ones that cause trouble.
What to bring
- Every epinephrine device that has been prescribed, so its type and expiry date can be looked at together.
- A list of every medicine and supplement, with doses, including antihistamines.
- Ask the clinic in advance whether any medicine, such as an antihistamine, needs to be paused before skin testing. The clinic decides.
- Earlier allergy test results with their dates, and any emergency department or hospital notes.
- Photos of reactions, such as hives or swelling, if any were taken.
- Packaging or ingredient labels from foods that caused a reaction.
- Written action plans from school, work, or another clinician.
Questions you might ask
Tick the ones that matter, and ask them early in the visit. Each group is that guide's own list of questions.
About the diagnosis
- Was this an IgE-mediated allergy, a non-IgE reaction, or something else such as an intolerance?
- Which tests, if any, would help confirm it, and what can each test show and not show?
- Is a supervised food challenge worth considering, now or later?
- If this is a child's allergy, how often should it be checked again?
- Is there a written emergency plan, and who should have a copy?
About tests and results
- Does this result show sensitization only, or a confirmed allergy?
- Would a component test or a supervised food challenge add anything here?
- How does the size of this result relate to the chance of a reaction, and what can it not tell us?
- Is any test I was offered, such as an IgG panel, one that allergy guidelines support?
About emergencies and epinephrine
- Is there a written anaphylaxis action plan, and does it match the device prescribed?
- Which device fits, and how many should be on hand at all times?
- What is the plan for a second dose, and when to call 911?
- Are there cofactors, such as exercise or NSAIDs, worth knowing about in this case?
- Should a tryptase level or a referral to an allergist be part of the follow-up?
About nose and eye allergies
- Which allergens do my symptoms and tests point to: pollen, dust mite, pets or mold?
- Is this allergic rhinitis, nonallergic rhinitis, or both?
- Which of the treatments in the guidelines fits this situation, and for how long?
- Could allergen immunotherapy be an option, and what would it involve?
- If there is dampness or mold at home, what does the evidence say is worth doing?
About treatment
- Is this allergy one that immunotherapy is used for, and which route fits: shots, tablets or drops, or oral immunotherapy?
- How long would treatment last, and what happens when it stops?
- What reactions are possible during treatment, and what is the plan if one happens?
- Is omalizumab an option here, and how does it compare with immunotherapy?
About eczema
- How severe is this eczema, and what is the plan to keep it controlled?
- Does this eczema change the advice on introducing peanut or egg?
- Which treatments fit this case, and what are their side effects?
- Are skin infections a concern, and what signs would matter?
For a baby starting solid foods
- Which risk group does this baby fall into under current guidelines?
- Is any testing useful before introducing peanut or egg, or not needed?
- Is introduction better done at home or in a clinic in this case?
- How can eczema be kept under control in the meantime?
Before leaving
- Is there a written emergency plan, and does it match the device prescribed?
- Which foods or exposures are to be avoided, and which are fine?
- What happens next: more tests, a food challenge, treatment, or a follow-up visit, and when?
- Who to contact with questions, and how.
Reaction record
| Date | What was eaten or touched, and about how much | Minutes until symptoms | Symptoms, and how long they lasted | What was done (medicine, epinephrine, 911) | Anything else that day (exercise, alcohol, illness, painkillers) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Notes from the visit
This checklist helps organize a conversation; the allergist decides what applies. The guides explain the general evidence on each topic, with a grade on every claim.