Allergy Assessment and Treatment
MRCS (Edinburgh, UK), FAMS (Otolaryngology)
FRCS (Glasgow), FAMS (Otolaryngology)
What Are Nasal and Sinus Allergies?
Allergies occur when the body’s immune system becomes overly sensitive and reacts abnormally to harmless environmental substances such as dust mites, pollen, mould spores, pet dander, or certain foods.
When exposed to these allergens, the immune system releases chemicals like histamine, causing inflammation in the nasal passages and sinuses. This leads to symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, itchiness, and watery eyes.
At our clinic, we specialise in the evaluation and management of nasal and sinus allergies. Our ENT specialists combine detailed assessments, targeted allergy testing, and evidence-based treatments to accurately identify triggers and help patients achieve long-term relief.
Common Symptoms to Look Out For
Allergies can affect individuals differently depending on the cause and duration of exposure. Common symptoms include:
- Frequent sneezing and a runny or blocked nose
- Itchy eyes, nose, or throat
- Post-nasal drip (mucus dripping down the back of the throat)
- Fatigue, poor sleep, or daytime drowsiness
- Recurrent sinus infections or ear problems
Chronic allergic inflammation can also worsen other conditions such as asthma, eczema, or chronic sinusitis, making early diagnosis and effective treatment especially important. In children, allergies may also contribute to mouth breathing, snoring, or restless sleep.
How Are Allergies Diagnosed?
An accurate diagnosis is important for long-term control. Your ENT specialist will perform a comprehensive evaluation that includes a review of your symptoms, lifestyle, and environment. Common methods include:
- Detailed Medical History: Helps identify potential triggers, seasonal patterns, and lifestyle factors influencing symptoms.
- Skin Prick Test: A quick and reliable test that involves placing small amounts of allergens on the skin to detect immediate allergic reactions.
- Blood Test: Measures the level of allergic antibodies in the bloodstream, providing valuable insight into your body’s immune response.
How Are ENT Allergies Treated?
Treatment depends on the severity and frequency of symptoms as well as identified triggers. The goal is to control inflammation, relieve discomfort, and prevent flare-ups.
- Using dust-mite-proof bedding and washing linens in hot water
- Installing air purifiers and maintaining good indoor ventilation
- Keeping pets out of bedrooms and limiting carpeted areas
- Avoiding outdoor activities during high-pollen seasons
- Rinsing the nasal passages with saline to remove irritants
When to See an ENT Specialist for Allergies?
You should consider consulting an ENT specialist if:
- Your symptoms persist despite over-the-counter medications
- You suffer from frequent sinus or ear infections related to allergies
- Your nasal congestion interferes with sleep and daily life
- You experience snoring or poor-quality sleep due to nasal blockage
- You are interested in long-term allergy control
Getting a prompt and accurate evaluation helps identify the root cause of your symptoms and prevent complications such as chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, or ear problems caused by prolonged nasal inflammation.
FAQs
OUR DOCTORS
Meet Our
ENT Specialists
Our clinic is led by two experienced ENT specialists, each with their own subspecialties, offering comprehensive expertise across all areas of ENT care. This ensures our patients receive care that is both broad in scope and deep in specialised insight.
Dr Barrie Tan
Senior Consultant ENT Specialist
MBBS (Singapore), MMed (ENT) (Singapore)
MRCS (Edinburgh, UK), FAMS (Otolaryngology)
Dr Barrie Tan has over 25 years of experience in ENT, particularly in the field of hearing loss and cochlear implants, snoring and sleep apnea, as well as endoscopic ear surgery.
Dr Barrie was a President’s Scholar and the former Head of the ENT Department at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and the Director of the Centre for Hearing and Ear Implants. He continues to hold various leadership positions in several ENT professional bodies today.
At his practice, Dr Barrie places great emphasis on listening carefully to his patients and providing the most personalised and supportive care possible.
Dr Ranjit Magherra
Senior Consultant ENT Head & Neck Surgeon
MBBS (Singapore), FRCS (Edinburgh)
FRCS (Glasgow), FAMS (Otolaryngology)
Dr Ranjit Magherra is an accomplished ENT Head & Neck Specialist with over 25 years of experience. He was also fellowship-trained in Head & Neck and Thyroid Surgery.
Dr Ranjit was formerly the Head of the ENT Head & Neck Surgery Department at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH), as well as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the National University of Singapore.
He has also received several Service Quality Awards during his time in the public sector and continues to bring the same level of dedication to his patients even today.