Gene L. France, M.D • Jim M. Ingram, M.D. • Deanna N. Ruddell, M.D. • Karl V. Sitz, M.D.
Blake G. Scheer, M.D. • Ellen Lu, M.D. • Kelsy J. Caplinger, M.D., Emeritus
• New Patient Information
• FAQs
• Links
The
Specialty of Allergy
Allergy
is a sensitivity some individuals develop to substances which are
ordinarily harmless to other people. When the allergic person comes
into contact with something to which he or she is sensitive, symptoms
develop. Symptoms vary greatly. Common ones are sneezing, rash, itching
and wheezing. Substances to which the allergic individual may become
sensitized are called allergens. They reach the body by being inhaled,
swallowed, touched or injected.
Your allergist is especially trained to diagnose allergy problems and to perform appropriate tests to determine the offending allergens. He is also skilled in the management and control of allergic symptoms because of special training and experience in dealing with large numbers of allergic patients.
We work in concert with your primary care physician as consultants and cannot assume primary care for all your illnesses or medical problems.
Allergy consultations require a considerable amount of time. Therefore, our Clinic was not established to handle appointments for colds, flu, annual physicals, camp and school examinations, trauma and other routine, but important, medical problems.
Appointments
Since your allergy evaluation will take
a considerable amount of time, it must be done by appointment, and
a limited number of patients can be scheduled in one day (see "Your
Allergy Evaluation" below). Your appointment is for a complete allergy
evaluation and allergy skin tests. If you do not want allergy test,
please notify us at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment.
If your concern is urgent, please ask our receptionist for an emergency relief appointment. In that case, a second appointment will be needed to complete your evaluation.
Follow-up visits, checkups and review appointments also must be done by appointment. However, if your allergy problem is urgent and you cannot wait for your scheduled appointment, please so inform our receptionist. True allergic emergencies will be handled promptly.
We do not require that all patients be directly referred by a physician. However, we recommend that each of our patients has a personal physician for any non-allergy problems that may arise. We will send a report to your physician after your evaluation and will want to work closely with your physician regarding your care. Certain health insurance plans require a direct referral by your primary care physician.
If you will be unable to keep your scheduled appointment, please give us at least 24 hours' notice so that your time can be released for another patient.
Your
Allergy Evaluation
Some allergy problems are relatively simple
while others are very complex. Therefore, the extent of your allergy
evaluation will vary depending on your problem. You need to plan to
be in the Little Rock Allergy & Asthma Clinic for two to three hours,
and patients with morning appointments may need to return in the afternoon
to complete the evaluation. We will try to finish your allergy study
in one day, but depending on the nature of the problem and your symptoms,
this may not always be possible.
Your workup will begin in the early morning or early afternoon with a detailed history of allergy symptoms, general medical history, family history and physical examination. The second part is allergy testing and possibly other laboratory tests.
If asthma is a part of your diagnosis, then further diagnostic testing may be done. This could include peak flow measurements, pulmonary function testing, and chest X-rays. Information concerning asthma triggers, asthma attacks, exercise-induced asthma, inhaler use, and asthma medications will also be provided and explained.
The final conference completes your workup. At that time you will be given the results of all tests and specific recommendations for treatment. A written report will be sent to you and your referring physician.
Prior
to Your First Visit
Please fill out the history questionnaire
as completely as possible and bring it at the time of your appointment.
Please obtain and bring records of any previous allergy test and evaluations.
Bring a list of the names of medications you have taken in the last
year. It will also be helpful if you would bring results of any laboratory
test and records from hospitalizations and clinic visits you have
had over the last year.
Discontinue all antihistamine-containing medications for three (3) days before your appointment. These medications will interfere with allergy testing. If you have any questions about antihistamines and skin testing, please call one of our nurses at least 24 hours before your appointment.
Some asthma medications interfere with allergy testing but should not be omitted if asthma is severe. Check with your regular physician about medications you may need to continue. Do not omit medicine needed for a serious illness. Antibiotics, steroid medicines, nasal sprays, theophylline and inhalers can be continued. You may eat a regular diet on the day of your allergy test.
 Multi-Test |
 Skin Test Reaction |
Allergy tests are done by the new Multi-Test method on the back. The Multi-Test is a technique of applying eight tests at once with minimal discomfort. Intradermal tests are administered by injecting a small amount of the allergy extract into the skin. We have available the blood test for allergy (RAST test), but we have not found it to be as helpful. The expense of the RAST test and the delay in getting results are limiting factors.
Because the testing is done on the back and upper arm, ladies and children may want to wear a two-piece outfit.
If
the Patient Is a Child
The person accompanying the child should
be the individual most familiar with details of the allergy problem
and the past history. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT OTHER CHILDREN
NOT BE BROUGHT TO THE CLINIC ON THE DAY OF THE ALLERGY EVALUATION.
The full attention of the parent is needed to keep a small child occupied
during the testing session. We usually explain to the child that the
scratch tests on the back are done by drawing a picture to help find
the cause of the allergy. Tests may cause mild itching. If two children
are to be evaluated on the same day, an adult should accompany each
child. We recommend that the parent of teenage patients be available
after the evaluation to discuss the findings and recommendations.
Payment
of Accounts
If you are covered under an insurance plan,
you are required to pay your co-pay at the time services are rendered.
Your co-pay is either a percentage of your total bill or a designated
amount set by your insurance company. This is due on the day of service
and we will file your insurance claim for you.
If you are not covered by insurance, please call our patient account department to make arrangements before your first visit. You can call them direct at (501)-219-1575 or use our toll-free number 1-800-514-4343.
We have no way of knowing each family's circumstances and we genuinely do want to help. We accept cash, personal checks, Visa, MasterCard and Discover.
Health
Insurance
We participate in many health plans, HMOs,
and PPOs. Some plans require that you have a referral from you primary
care physician. We cannot obtain this referral for you. If there are
questions regarding our participation in your health plan, or whether
or not a referral is needed, please contact our insurance department
two days prior to your scheduled appointment.
Telephone
Calls
In order to devote proper attention to each
patient's allergy evaluation, we prefer not to interrupt appointments
with routine phone calls. So that we can give you the best service
and advice, your chart will be pulled and available when your call
is returned. Please give the receptionist all necessary information
concerning the reason for your call and numbers where you can be reached
during the day. Calls will be returned between appointments when possible,
or after morning or afternoon appointments. Often one of our staff
can adequately handle your call, resulting in a quicker callback.
All advice given is recorded on your chart and reviewed by your allergist.
At your physicians discretion, a charge may be made for telephone
advice. If your call is an emergency, please inform the receptionist.
Prescription
Refills
Refills on prescriptions are authorized
only during office hours when your chart is available for review to
make certain the refill is appropriate. Prescriptions are not refilled
unless you are being actively followed for an allergy condition. If
you have not been seen in the last 12 months, please make an office
visit appointment to review your situation before requesting any prescription
refills. Refills can be given by your family physician or pediatrician.
Please call at least 24 hours before a refill is needed. You should
confirm with your pharmacist that the prescription has been authorized
before going to the pharmacy.
What
Board Certification Means to You
The board certified allergist has been specifically
trained to deal in a cost-effective manner with the diagnosis and
treatment of asthma, allergies and related diseases. Two years of
full-time intensive specialty training in allergy qualifies a physician
to take the American Board examinations. Upon passing the examination,
the physician is then certified as a "Board Certified Allergist" and
a "Diplomat of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology." Board
certification assures the patient that the allergist has been thoroughly
trained and has passed tests to prove that they have the skills and
abilities to fulfill the high standards of this specialty. Dr. France, Dr. Ingram, Dr. Ruddell, Dr. Sitz,
Dr. Scheer, and Dr. Lu are Board Certified Allergists.
A Final Note: Our goal is to provide the very best in allergy care in the most pleasant and convenient manner. If you have any comments or suggestions about our Clinic, please let us know. We're here to help you and your family and appreciate the opportunity to be of service.