Will I be interacting with an actual physician?
Certainly, all our allergists/immunologists are licensed medical doctors with expertise in diagnosing, treating, and managing allergies and immunologic conditions. They operate their individual allergy clinics and extend their services as online allergy specialists to assist a broader audience.

Becoming an allergist in Canada necessitates four years of medical school, followed by three years in a residency program in either internal medicine or pediatrics, and culminating in a two-year Clinical Immunology and Allergy fellowship.

Through Laso MD, you can bypass the traditional allergy clinic setting and engage with a Canadian-licensed allergy specialist online from the convenience of your home.

 

Who should seek the expertise of an allergist?
Allergists and immunologists commonly address the following conditions. It’s important to note that not all conditions can be assessed and treated exclusively through virtual care.

1. Allergic disorders — including food, environmental, venom, and drug allergies
2. Respiratory disorders — such as asthma, allergic respiratory disorders, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
3. Dermatologic disorders — encompassing urticaria (hives), angioedema, allergic contact dermatitis (rashes), atopic dermatitis, and vasculitis
4. Immunologic disorders — spanning immunodeficiencies, autoimmune, and autoinflammatory disorders
5. Treatments — involving immunotherapy, immunoglobulin replacement, and biologics

Typically, patients discuss symptoms or persistent illnesses with their family doctor before consulting with an online allergy specialist.

 

Can children receive online allergy consultations, and when is it advisable for them to do so?
Certainly, our allergists provide care for both children and adults. To schedule an appointment for your child, simply include them as a “Patient profile” in your Laso MD account. When booking with the allergist, choose your child or dependent’s profile.

Detecting allergies in children can be challenging. If you observe reactions to food, household products, or other stimuli, it’s advisable to consult an allergist for professional guidance on the appropriate steps to take. This consultation is essential before relying on children’s allergy medication or considering allergy testing for children.

Our allergy specialists address the same range of disorders in the pediatric population as outlined for adults.

 

What is an allergist, and what can I anticipate during my consultation?

An allergist/immunologist is a specialized physician dedicated to addressing allergies and immune disorders. On Laso MD, allergists can diagnose and treat patients with various conditions, including:

Allergies:

1. Drug allergies — an abnormal immune system response to medications.
2. Food allergies — an immune system reaction triggered soon after consuming specific foods, such as milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish.
3. Insect sting allergies — an abnormal immune system response to insect stings or bites, commonly from yellow jackets, bees, wasps, mosquitoes, flies, and ants.
4. Latex allergies — a reaction to proteins in natural rubber latex, found in items like gloves, condoms, and balloons.
5. Environmental allergies — an immune system reaction to environmental factors, encompassing mold, pet allergies (particularly cat or dog allergies), pollen, and seasonal allergies.

Other Conditions:

1. Respiratory disorders like asthma, allergic respiratory disorders, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
2. Dermatologic conditions such as urticaria (hives), angioedema, allergic contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and vasculitis.
3. Immunologic disorders, including immune deficiencies, autoimmune, and autoinflammatory disorders.
4. Treatments like immunotherapy, immunoglobulin replacement, and biologics.

Your allergist appointment will commence with the online allergy specialist gathering information about your medical history. To facilitate this process, ensure your medical history is updated before the visit, including details on medications, recent lab work, and any notes or records from prior consultations related to your specific concerns.

If you have images of rashes or reactions to discuss, you can upload them before or during your appointment. Additionally, having contact information for other physicians who have treated your concerns in the past can be helpful.

 

If the Allergist/Immunologist deems it necessary to conduct any testing, where can I undergo the tests, and are there associated costs?

It’s important to emphasize that all testing is recommended based on the allergist’s discretion following an initial appointment, where the doctor evaluates your concerns and determines the appropriate next steps.

If testing is deemed necessary, the allergist will discuss the suitable type of tests and where to have them conducted during your visit, as certain allergy tests, including blood tests, may be restricted to specific labs.

It’s worth noting that not all allergy tests and treatments are covered by provincial health plans, and some may entail out-of-pocket expenses. These additional costs might be covered by supplemental insurance plans or may qualify as tax-deductible.

The allergist will provide information on any additional costs related to recommended tests and treatments during your visit.

 

What is the most effective approach to allergy testing?
There isn’t a singular “best test” for allergies. Every individual case and concern is distinct, and this is where the expertise of allergists becomes crucial. Drawing on their knowledge of allergies and immunologic conditions, allergists assess whether allergy testing is suitable for your specific concern and, if deemed necessary, recommend the most appropriate type of test.

 

What do allergy injections entail, and why are they prescribed?
Allergy injections, a type of immunotherapy, involve controlled exposure to allergens at scheduled intervals to stimulate an immune response. They are typically advised when a patient encounters severe symptoms from a specific unavoidable allergen (e.g., grass pollen). The recommendation for allergy injections is made by the allergy specialist only if deemed necessary.

It’s important to note that not everyone is eligible for this therapy, and there may be more suitable alternative options. Your doctor will discuss this with you during the appointment.

 

What is the expense associated with consulting an allergist/immunologist?
Our service, utilizing secure messaging and a doctor network spanning provinces, usually involves fees that are not covered by your province, except for patients in Quebec with valid RAMQ coverage or patients in Québec with a valid RAMQ card and a referral letter.

Additional charges may apply for allergy testing or treatments not covered by your provincial health insurance plan. The physician will provide details on this during your appointment.

 

Is a referral necessary to consult with an allergist?
For residents in Québec, a referral letter and a valid Québec health card are necessary, as all visits are covered by RAMQ. Before scheduling your appointment, you will need to present your RAMQ card and referral letter to a care navigator.

Upon eligibility, you can proceed to schedule a consultation with the allergist through Laso MD.

 

How is testing for food allergies conducted by allergists?
Given the unique nature of each individual’s concerns, allergy and immunology specialists prefer a personalized approach to testing for food allergies rather than a one-size-fits-all method. In some instances, testing may not be necessary at all. During your initial visit, the allergist will collect information about your concerns to determine the most appropriate next steps. All testing is carried out at the discretion of the doctor.

It’s important to note that allergists/immunologists do not perform IgG or intolerance testing in accordance with the guidance provided by the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

 

Do allergists/immunologists perform testing for food intolerance or IgG?
The Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology strongly advises against the use of IgG testing to identify or predict allergic or immunologic conditions, as there is a widespread consensus against the validity of these tests.

 

Are follow-up appointments necessary?
Should the allergist/immunologist recommend allergy testing or propose a treatment plan, a follow-up appointment will be scheduled. If an in-person visit to an allergy clinic is necessary, this will be communicated to you during the appointment.