JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. -- –
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recognizes May as allergy and asthma awareness month. That's easy to believe when one looks at the trees blooming and pollen highlighting cars throughout the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.
According to the AAFA, May is an opportune time to educate people about of allergens and preventions as it is peak season for allergy and asthma symptoms.
At Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, there are two allergy and immunization clinics, one located at Fort Eustis and the other located at Langley Air Force Base. Both clinics provide care to military members, their dependents and all TRICARE beneficiaries across the Hampton Roads area.
However, some of the services the clinics provide differ as the clinic at Langley is located inside the hospital with an emergency room that can treat acute allergy symptoms immediately, said Valerie Hicks, McDonald Army Health Center licensed practical nurse.
Because the Langley clinic is located inside the hospital it is able to provide tests that could have potentially more adverse reactions. Along with skin testing and immunotherapy, the clinic also provides food challenges and venom testing, said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ephrain Alvarez, 633rd Medical Group allergy and immunizations clinic noncommissioned officer in charge.
The Fort Eustis clinic provides allergy skin testing and allergy immunotherapy, which is a controlled 3-5 year desensitization method, for allergens ranging from seasonal allergies to hay fever and foods, said Hicks.
While the idea of testing the limits of a symptom can be scary, Hicks urges patients to find out what is causing their reactions.
"People should get tested so they can find out where their symptoms are coming from," said Hicks. "We try to identify which allergen is bothering you and work from that point on."
Patients experiencing allergy or asthma symptoms must first make an appointment with their primary care manager, who will determine if a consult to the allergy clinic is necessary.
To schedule a consultation with a PCM at U.S. Air Force Hospital Langley, call 225-7630, and to schedule with McDonald Army Health Center, call 878-7500.