Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Allergy Treatment

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What is an allergy?

An allergy is a misguided reaction of the immune system to a substance that is normally harmless.  Substances that trigger allergy are called allergens and some common allergens include pollen, dust mites, mold, animal dander, and even foods. Allergens cause the immune system to produce a substance called immunoglobulin E (IgE), an antibody usually found in small amounts in the body. People who are allergic, however, produce IgE in abnormally large quantities. In a normally functioning immune system, IgE is important in protecting us from parasites such as viruses and bacteria. However, when someone becomes sensitive to an allergen in a process called sensitization, IgE is overproduced. IgE then coats other cells in the body that contain chemicals meant to protect our body including histamine. These chemicals, in turn, cause inflammation and the typical allergic symptoms. This is how the immune system becomes misguided and thus learns to cause an allergic reaction when stimulated at a future point by that allergen.

People who have allergies are called allergic or atopic.  Allergies can develop at any age, sometimes suddenly and without warning.  Sometimes, a person can even develop an allergy to something they have been exposed to many times before without any previous problems.  Allergies also have a strong genetic component, so if one or both parents suffer with allergies, it dramatically increases the likelihood their children will develop allergies as well.  The most common allergic conditions include hay fever (or allergic rhinitis), asthma, allergic eyes (or allergic conjunctivitis), allergic eczema, hives (or urticaria), and the most serious and life threatening reaction, allergic shock (also called anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock).  Allergic symptoms to be aware of include: fatigue; abdominal pain and cramping; frequent sinus infections; nausea; diarrhea; constipation; chronic ear infections; sneezing and runny nose; chronic cough; itchy, watery eyes; hives; eczema; joint or bone pain, swelling or stiffness; swelling in tissue; and even behavioral symptoms such as hyperactivity, mood swings and difficulty concentrating.  In fact, allergic symptoms range much more widely than commonly associated sniffling and sneezing symptoms.  Allergic people can have reactions that can affect any organ system and even more than one organ system at a time. Thus, people with allergies can have a wide variety of ongoing symptoms that are present constantly, and/or more acute symptoms which come and go over time.

What is the difference between an allergy, intolerance and sensitivity?

A sensitivity is a reaction to a substance that is an exaggeration of a normal side effect produced by that substance. For example, a person sensitive to caffeine may shake or become jittery after only one cup of coffee.  By definition, a food sensitivity is a negative reaction to a food that may or may not be related to the immune system. Environmental sensitivities refer to an adverse reaction when the body is exposed to a factor in the environment such as a pesticide or herbicide that does not involve antibodies, but may involve other aspects of the immune system such as increased intestinal permeability or a leaky gut.  Allergy involves the formation of antibodies to a substance that is normally harmless, whereas sensitivity does not always involve antibodies, even if the immune system may be involved.  An important difference between an allergy and a sensitivity is that a food or chemical sensitivity can literally "die out" and no longer cause symptoms if the food or chemical is avoided completely for a period of 3-6 months, then ingested sparingly from then on.  Allergies, however, do NOT die out but are usually a problem throughout the life of the sufferer once they develop.

An intolerance is when you are unable to produce the enzymes necessary to digest a food properly.  A common example is lactose intolerance, in which certain people are unable to produce the enzyme necessary to digest the simple sugar lactose.  When someone with this problem consumes lactose, they may experience nausea, gas, bloating, diarrhea or other digestive discomfort.  This problem can be corrected by supplementing with the digestive enzyme commonly available called Lactase with the supervision of a qualified physician.

How do I know if I’m allergic, intolerant or if I’m just sensitive?

Intolerance can sometimes be corrected by supplementing with specific digestive enzymes to replace those that your body is deficient in making. Intolerance symptoms usually occur just following meals that contain the substance that your body has problems digesting, and are usually related to the stomach and bowels. Your doctor may instruct you to keep a food diary when trying to determine if you have an intolerance and ask you to note any discomfort in the stomach and bowels experienced after eating foods. If a pattern, such as discomfort after eating dairy, is discovered, it can be treated by supplementing with digestive enzymes under the supervision of a qualified medical professional. The problem can also be resolved by avoiding the substance you are intolerant to.

It is extremely difficult to determine the difference between an allergy and a sensitivity as both can cause just about every symptom known to man.  Sensitivity is not as easily diagnosed as allergy and symptoms may often flare up after a rich or spicy meal, which can make people think the previous meal as the cause.  Many times, the effects of chemical sensitivity are cumulative and dose related. This means symptoms don't usually occur until the chemicals build up to a certain threshold in the body over a number of days.  People with chemical sensitivities often react to more than one chemical, natural, artificial or both, and the effects of these chemicals are cumulative making it difficult to pinpoint which exact chemicals are to blame.  These chemicals can also have drug-like effects on the brain causing hyperactivity, mood swings and other behavioral changes.

If you have been tested for allergies and have received treatment, but are not improving, a non-immune involved sensitivity may be the culprit.  The most reliable method for identifying chemical sensitivity rather than allergy is to do an elimination diet under the supervision of an appropriately qualified dietitian. This means restricting the diet to foods that are very low in natural chemicals and additives, including preservatives, flavors and colors for anywhere from 2-6 weeks. If you experience improvement in symptoms that was previously not achieved with allergy treatment, you have got yourself some sensitivities. If a sensitivity is identified in this way, a series of extinction challenges are carried out, usually over a month or two, whereby the diet is continually restricted in order to give the body a chance to recover.  People with chemical sensitivities often report a worsening of symptoms and cravings for foods rich in the offending chemicals in the first week of the elimination diet.  However, those that persevere often experience a reduction or even elimination of sensitivity symptoms.

Do you test for sensitivities, intolerances and allergies?

BioAllergenix technology has the capability to test and treat allergic reactions and sensitivities to substances that involve immune system reactions, however it does not detect sensitivities or intolerances that do not involve immune system reaction.  Even though we can not test for sensitivities and intolerances without an immune system component, many people still find it useful to be scanned and treated for their allergies.  Eliminating allergies, even when we can’t eliminate sensitivities or intolerances, often still results in greater comfort and fewer symptoms in daily life, and can result in greatly reduced need for medications to control symptoms.  If you are still experiencing bothersome symptoms after receiving a series of allergy treatments, we can recommend you to another specialist for treatment of sensitivities and intolerances.

Does it hurt to be tested for allergies?

The allergy scanning process with BioAllergenix technology is painless and convenient.  There are no needles or scratching involved.  When you are scanned, you will be seated comfortably on a chair or a stool with your legs and arms uncrossed and in a neutral position.  You will have a small amount of conductivity gel applied to your middle fingers on both hands, and small clamps will be placed on your finger which detect the immune system reactions that indicate allergies.  There is no pain caused at any time during the testing.

What do I need to do before my allergy scan appointment?

Before your allergy scan appointment, it is important to be well hydrated.  If you are not normally a water drinker, make sure you drink 40 oz of water before your appointment and aiming to finish just before your scan.  If you do normally drink plenty of water, simply try to drink 20 oz before your scheduled appointment.  The reason for this is that when you are dehydrated, it interferes with the effectiveness of the scan, and the technology will not pick up all the allergies you may have, necessitating a return appointment for rescanning when you are more hydrated.  You may also be given an inexpensive homeopathic remedy to speed and enhance hydration and improve the results of your allergy scan.

How does the allergy scan work?

BioAllergenix allergy scans are painless and convenient.  You will be seated in a chair or a stool, and some conductivity gel will be applied to the middle fingers of both hands.  Small clamps which detect minute changes in your immune system that indicate the presence of allergies.  As you sit with your arms and legs uncrossed for the duration of the scan, the BioAllergenix unit bounces frequencies that correspond to 4,000 known allergic substances and the electrodes detect when your immune system reacts.  When you have a positive reaction indicating the presence of an allergy, the machine chimes an alert and you will see on screen the substance that you are testing positive for.  When the machine is finished with the scan, it will again chime to indicate it is finished.  If your results show poorly, especially if you are being tested for something you know you’ve had reactions to, it may be that you are not hydrated enough and you will be prescribed a hydration supplement and asked to return for a re-scan when your body is more hydrated.

Do I need to be scanned more than once?

There is a series of 4 scans that will be performed in order to cover the full spectrum of all 4,000+ allergy causing substances.  Your single payment includes all four allergy scans.

What kind of results can I expect from being scanned?

Most people will find that they have some allergies to unexpected substances.  Some people will get confirmation that they are allergic to what they thought they were.  Sometimes, you will demonstrate allergies to only a few substances in that particular scan group.  Other times, a large number of substances will show allergic reactions.  Sometimes you will even show as allergic to something so obscure that you never come into contact with it.  Ultimately, each individual is different, and will show reaction to a different number and different range of substances.

What about allergy treatment – does it hurt?

Allergy treatment is painless.  A cold laser is utilized to perform the treatment that re-educates your immune system. Most people cannot feel the laser at all, though some do experience a very mild tingling sensation. No patients have reported any pain during treatment.

Is it safe?

Treatment with the BioAllergenix system is cleared by the FDA and completely safe for people of all ages.

Are there any allergies you can’t treat?

If you have ever had a severe allergic reaction involving anaphylaxis or needing an epinephrine shot to recover from, that allergy is contraindicated for treatment.  This is to prevent any risk of a serious adverse event during treatment.  Also, if you have allergies to obscure substances that do not happen to be in the BioAllergenix treatment database, we will not be able to detect or treat those allergies.

What do I need to do before my allergy treatment appointment?

Before your allergy treatment appointment …

• Do not take pain medications for four hours prior to the treatment.
• Do not consume alcohol for twelve hours prior to the treatment
• Do not go through the treatment during the first three days of a menstrual cycle.
• Patient must not be under severe physical, emotional, or chemical stress.
• Go shopping for food and any other necessities to prepare yourself for twenty-four hours as you will be unable to shop following the treatment.
• Make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas as you will not be able to refuel it after the treatment for a minimum of 24 hours.

How do the allergy treatments work?

Allergy treatment is painless.  It involves calibrating a cold laser to the frequency of the substance you are allergic to, and then utilizing the laser on time tested acupuncture points in order to effectively re-educate the immune system. Most people cannot feel the laser at all, though some do experience a very mild tingling sensation.

Is there anything I need to do during treatment?

During treatment, there are specific protocols to follow to ensure maximum effectiveness, and those are …

• Do not cross your arms or legs.
• Keep your hands in a neutral position.
• Do not allow your fingers to touch anything.
• Do not wear any jewelry, with the exception of a wedding band.
• Patient must not be under severe physical, emotional, or chemical stress.

Do I need to be treated more than one time for a specific allergy?

Most times, a single allergy treatment is all that is needed to reprogram your immune system for a specific allergy.  However, sometimes if you are re-exposed to the substance you were just treated for or have a heavy chemical exposure following your treatment, you will need to return to be treated for that allergy again. Specific recommendations must be followed post-treatment to ensure maximum effectiveness of your allergy reprogramming.

How many treatments do I need?

The number of treatments that you need depends on the number of allergies that you have.  If you have multiple allergies, you will need multiple treatments.  Some allergies are grouped by frequency similarity, and can be treated at one time.  Other allergies have such different frequencies that they need individual treatments to address them.   You can also choose not to treat allergies to obscure substances that you do not come into contact with.   It all depends on what allergies you have and how they affect you.  If you're not sure how many treatments you need or which allergies you should treat or leave alone, you can discuss your situation with the doctor to determine the best course of treatment for you.

What do I need to do after the treatment?

After treatment, there are several specific things you must do to ensure your treatment is effective and lasts.These include generally avoiding known toxins and …

• Do not get a massage for six hours after the treatment.
• Do not get acupuncture for six hours after the treatment.
• Do not engage in vigorous exercise for six hours after the treatment.
• Do not use a hot tub or take a hot bath for six hours after the treatment.
• Do not swim for six hours after the treatment.
• Do not eat or touch anything that you have been reprogrammed for twenty-four hours after the treatment.
• Do not eat out at a restaurant for eight hours after the treatment.
• Do not go to a hair salon, barber shop, or nail salon for eight hours after the treatment.
• Do not pass or come close to a perfume display or kiosk for eight hours after the treatment.
• Do not fuel your vehicle for eight hours after the treatment.
• Do not come into contact with household pets for eight hours after the treatment.

If you have questions or concerns about these protocols, or are unable to comply with these recommendations after your treatment, please discuss this with Dr. Crawford prior to treatment. Sometimes it is possible to go ahead when these recommendations can’t be followed and sometimes it is necessary to reschedule the appointment for a time when the protocols can be followed.Make sure to discuss with the doctor first to ensure your treatment is a success.

Do I have to keep coming back until all of my allergies are treated?

In a word?  No.  You can choose to treat only those allergies that are most bothersome, and if you don’t come back, you still maintain your results.  Your results from your treatments are mostly permanent, unless some future factor causes you to re-sensitize to the substance that you were treated for.  However, if you choose not to get treated for all of your allergies, you will still maintain the results you get from the treatments you have received for the allergies that have been treated.  You can also spread out your allergy treatments over time to make your costs manageable and fit them in your schedule.

What kind of results can I expect from getting treated?

Some people have only a few allergies that need treatment and experience near immediate reduction in symptoms including absence of allergic reaction, reduced need for allergy medication and increased comfort in situations that previously triggered allergic reactions.  Other people suffer from multiple causes of allergy symptoms and require a series of treatments before they begin experiencing significant relief.  It really depends on your situation, what you are allergic to and how many allergies that you have.

What happens if the treatment doesn’t work?

If a treatment to a substance for some reason does not work, we are more than happy to re-treat for that specific substance at no additional charge.  Sometimes, a different allergy can interfere or make treatment appear to be ineffective when it is simply a reaction to a different substance.  Sometimes, you may even be allergic to a substance that is not in the database, and you may still be experiencing symptoms.  Sometimes, you may have a non-immune provoking sensitivity or a food intolerance that is still causing your problems.  Consult with the Doctor to rule out different causes and to determine if you need to be retreated for a specific substance.

How soon can I come back for my next treatment after I’ve been treated?

It is necessary to wait 48 hours between treatments to give your body time to adjust and adapt to the immune system reprogramming.  You are welcome to schedule your treatments for Monday - Wednesday - Friday if you wish, or you can spread out your appointments more to accommodate your schedule and your budget.

How do BioAllergenix treatments compare to medications or allergy shots?

BioAllergenix is a more permanent solution to allergies than allergy medications, which are effective at temporarily relieving symptoms but require repeated dosage and do nothing to actually solve the problem.  Allergy shots are of limited effectiveness, with demonstrated effective rates of 50% or less.  BioAllergenix treatments, however, are completely painless, highly effective and offer a long term solution.  Once your immune system is reprogrammed using BioAllergenix technology, you won’t likely have any problems with the substance you were treated for again, unless you are resensitized during the 24 hour period after the treatment through exposure to the treated substance or through an abnormally high exposure to chemical irritants.  If resensitization occurs after a treatment, it is possible to re-treat and eliminate the problem.

What is the cost of all this?

Allergy scanning and treatment with BioAllergenix technology is highly affordable, especially compared to traditional medical care, costly prescription and over the counter remedies, and painful allergy shots.  Typically, when you go to see a doctor for allergy testing, the procedure can involve painful and repetitive scratch tests or even require you to get your blood drawn.  The office visit and testing is often prohibitively expensive, even for those who really need it because allergy testing and treatment is not usually covered by insurance.  Plus, once you’ve learned what allergies you have, your only options through traditional medicine are usually prescription medication, which only covers up your symptoms, or allergy shots, which are painful and often have a treatment effectiveness rates below 50%.  BioAllergenix scans and treatments cost a fraction of traditional allergy testing and allergy shot treatments making it an affordable option even in absence of insurance coverage, and since BioAllergenix treatment often eliminates the need for medication, it can significantly lower your allergy treatment costs over time.  Dr. Crawford also caps out your expenses, so if you have an unusually large number of allergies, you are not faced with ongoing and indefinite bills for treatment.  For exact pricing information, contact our office at 217-398-2225 and make your appointment to discuss your allergies today.

How do I get started?

To get started, simply call us at 217-398-2225 and schedule your first appointment for your first foundational scan.  If you wish to speed up the process, you can save time by downloading, printing and filling out the new patient allergy forms here.  Sooner than you think, you can be allergy free!  We can’t wait to see you and start helping you to feel better!

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