title: AAOA allergy primer: history and physical examination.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allergic disease is very common in the general population and makes a significant impact on the quality of life of patients. Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic disease manifests throughout the body, but many signs and symptoms of inhalant allergy are centered in the head and neck region.
  
  
  METHODS
  A thorough yet focused history of allergic symptoms and potential physical examination findings of inhalant allergy are described.
  
  
  RESULTS
  History should include types and timing of symptoms, environmental and occupational exposures, family history, associated diseases, and prior treatment, if any. Physical examination should include the skin and structures of the head and neck region. Nasal endoscopy can be helpful in visualization of nasal polyps.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many times, history alone can serve to make the diagnosis, but physical examination also demonstrates specific findings that confirm the practitioner's presumptive diagnosis of allergic disease. However, should medical treatment fail or the diagnosis be in doubt, further diagnostic investigation with allergy testing should be pursued.
authors.affiliation: DePaul/EVMS Department of Otolaryngology, Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS), Norfolk, VA.
authors.forename: Christine B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Franzese
mesh_terms: D004423:Ear; D005123:Eye / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D007830:Larynx / Q000276:immunology; D008487:Medical History Taking; D009666:Nose / Q000276:immunology; D010614:Pharynx / Q000276:immunology; D010808:Physical Examination; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology
keywords: allergic conjunctivitis; allergic rhinitis; allergies; history; inhalant allergy; physical examination