A comprehensive medical history produces the best data base for the diagnosis and management of patients with allergic disease.

Symptoms

The time relationships of symptoms should include the time of day, time of the week (all week or weekends only), and time of the year, as well as the duration of the symptoms.

If you think you have allergies, and are planning to visit a physician, ask yourself...
Where do the symptoms occur? (i.e. home, at work, or on vacation)
Does sensitivity occur to known substances? (i.e., dust, animals, or grass cuttings) or   to unsuspected items? (e.g., room humidifiers or jute carpet pads)?
Do symptoms relate to physical changes? (cold, heat, or dampness) or activities? (smoking, exercise, or painting)
Does past or current use or abuse of therapy (medication, immunotherapy, environmental controls) change allergic symptoms?
Is it present in other members of yor family (genetic)?
How bad do the symptoms make you feel?
Do you have other medical conditions?
Once you have answered the questions, you can then see a physician who should perform a physical examination.

Physical examination
A complete physical examination is mandatory. The doctor will then examine:
1. The entire skin
The entire skin should be examined for important physical changes that may not be mentioned by the patient who feels that they are unimportant, unrelated, or embarrassing.
2. The conjunctivae of the eye
3. The middle ear
The middle ear is often a site of secondary complications of allergic disease.
4. The nose
The nose is the most accessible area to observe the physical alterations resulting from the pathophysiologic features of immediate hypersensitivity disease.
5. The mouth and oropharynx
The mouth and oropharynx are examined with a bright light source and a tongue blade.
6. The chest
The chest should be examined by visual inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. The findings in allergic disease vary from normal during symptom-free intervals to marked hyperinflation, accessory muscle use, and marked wheezing during acute asthma attacks.

Treatment
The allergy treatment is simple. It mostly consists of giving the patient either antihistimines or, in the case of severe allergies, steroids may then be given.