I help patients who suffer from allergies and asthma learn howmanage or alleviate their symptoms. when a patient comes in forallergy or asthma testing, I often administer a skin prick test,which involves placing a small amount of allergy-causing substanceson the forearm or back. The skin is lightly pricked so the allergengoes under the skin’s surface.

Within 15 to 20 minutes, signs of reaction to the allergens suchas swelling and redness start to appear. I can test eight allergensat the same time including mold, pollens, animal dander and dustmites. these allergens can cause allergic rhinitis (inflammation ofthe nasal passages) and asthma. I also test for food and drugallergies.

If a patient has experienced an allergic reaction to food from arestaurant, I’ll call the restaurant to get the recipe to determinewhat could have caused the reaction. by calling two restaurantswhere a person had experienced food reactions, I discovered thepatient was allergic to cumin used in pizza and chili.

Sometimes a patient will have a severe, life-threateningallergic reaction, which requires immediate treatment withepinephrine. People can be allergic to everything from eye make-up,belt buckles, earrings, latex and many other things.

I teach patients how to use inhalers, nasal sprays and neti potsfor sinus irrigation. I also explain how to administer medications.I help with coordination of care and work with insurance providersto try to get coverage for treatment.

I’ve been in the allergy clinic full time for six years. Priorto this, I was an outpatient float nurse and then worked part timein the allergy clinic. While living in Milwaukee, I was a visitingnurse and a post-operative nurse. I earned my bachelor’s degree innursing at Marquette University in Milwaukee and my master’s degreeat Edgewood College in Madison. I have a national certification asan asthma educator.

I often talk to patients over the phone and I can hear how theyare breathing on the phone to help guide them. Our goal is to helpour patients breathe easier.

What I Do features area residents who have interesting orunique jobs. The column runs every Tuesday. To suggest someone tofeature, contact Jill Carlson .