Allergen Immunotherapy Best Practices Workshop, Featuring Dr. Atoosa Kourosh

• 00:00 - 01:10: Introduction  
• 01:10 - 02:46: Opening remarks from Dr. Atoosa Kourosh and Lesson Objectives  
• 02:46 - 04:06: Understanding Who, And What To Test
• 04:06 - 06:21: Oral Allergy Syndrome, Food-Pollen Cross-Reactivity, and Allergy Symptoms  
• 06:21 - 13:32: Screening for Allergies, Allergy Triggers, Perennial and Indoor Allergens, Tree and Weed Relationships, Grass Pollen Relationships  
• 13:32 - 19:24: Allergy Testing and the Confirmation of sIgE "at work," Skin testing, vs. sIgE Blood Testing, Interpreting sIgE Blood Test Results  
• 19:24 - 22:18: Allergy Skin Testing In Vivo  
• 22:18 - 25:43: Medications to Stop Taking Before Skin Testing  
• 25:43 - 27:07: Mechanisms Underlying the Interpretation of the Allergy Skin Prick Test and Understanding the Immune Reaction  
• 27:07 - 28:01: Single vs. Multiple Head Devices  
• 28:01 - 33:46: Histamine Wheal and Flare Interpretation and Recording Result, Post-test Care  
• 33:46 - 36:56: Case Study One: Physician Interpretation, Family History, Patient History, Understanding Allergy Baseline Assessment, Symptoms, and Guided Testing Based on Assessment Findings  
• 36:56 - 39:42: Case Study Two  
• 39:42 - 40:54: Case Study Three  
• 40:54 - 41:37: Conclusion, Dr. Atoosa's Motto: "TEST, DON’T GUESS."  
• 41:37 - 58:21: Q&A, Including: Testing Mistakes to Avoid, What Equipment to Use, Understanding Negative Controls, Dermatographic Patients

At the end of this video, you will be able to:

• Illustrate general knowledge of the common allergens, house dust, pollens, grass, trees, weeds, cat and dog, molds, and other triggers.
• Explain the mechanisms underlying the interpretation of the basic diagnostic allergy skin prick tests (positive and negative controls) and serological tests for total and specific IgE.
• List contraindications to performing skin testing.
• Name medications that may affect skin testing reactions and the average time of discontinuance before skin testing.
• Describe practical understanding of performing allergy skin tests.

Who and Why to Test

• Patients complaining of allergy‐like symptoms, red‐itchy eyes, sneezing, or upper respiratory infections.
• Asthmatics with possible allergen trigger
• Patients who chronically use antihistamines or nasal steroids
• Pediatric patients, especially those with a stubborn rash, eczema, chronic ear infections, or GI symptoms.
• Patients with obvious signs of an allergic reaction affecting their quality of life or possible serious condition.
• Oral Allergy Syndrome (mouth tingling/itch or gut reactions to stone fruits or certain raw vegetables).

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