At Your Appointment

Seasonal Allergies Appointment Guide

Ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment. Answer two questions below to personalize your appointment guide.
  • Please describe the symptoms and issues you’re having that led you to schedule this online appointment. Start at the beginning of this current episode and tell me how and when things have changed and progressed.
  • How often have you had allergy symptoms in the last month?
  • Are you currently using your allergy medicine?
  • Do you use it continually (every day) or only when you have symptoms?
  • Do you feel like your allergy medicine relieves your symptoms? Does it also seem to reduce the number of days with symptoms?
  • Have you had allergy testing to correctly identify your allergens? What changes have you made to reduce exposure to your allergens?
  • Describe your symptoms. Do you experience runny nose, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, sneezing, cough, or itchy, watery or red eyes?
  • How long have you had these symptoms?
  • Are your symptoms constant or are they worse at certain times of the year?
  • What makes your symptoms better or worse?
  • Have you tried over-the-counter allergy medicines? How often do you take them, and how well do they work for you?
  • What other medical conditions do you have?
  • What side effects are you experiencing with your allergy medicine?
  • What tests and treatments have you had so far?
  • What new symptoms are you experiencing?
  • What changes have you made to reduce your exposure to allergens like pollen, dust, and cigarette smoke?
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Could another medical condition be causing or contributing to my symptoms?
  • How do you diagnose allergies? What are the best allergy testing options for me and what can I expect?
  • What should I do if my symptoms do not improve or get worse?
  • Do I need to see a specialist?
  • What allergens are most likely to trigger my seasonal allergies? How can I avoid them?
  • What lifestyle changes or changes around my home could help improve my symptoms?
  • What are the best seasonal allergy treatment options for me?
  • When should I use my allergy medicine? And how long should I use it—year round or only during allergy season?
  • How long should it take to see if the allergy medicine is working for me or not? What are the next steps if it doesn't work?
  • Do seasonal allergies get worse with time?
  • Are there other allergy treatments that would do a better job of controlling my symptoms?
  • Are my new symptoms an indication that my allergies are getting worse?
  • What is the best treatment plan for my case of seasonal allergies?
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Last Review Date: 2018 Sep 10
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
  1. Hay Fever. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373045
  2. Seasonal Allergies. American College of Allery, Asthma, and Immunology. https://acaai.org/allergies/seasonal-allergies