My Professional Allergy Test Experience at Nectar’s Allergy Clinic

I’ve been taking charge of my health this year from eating healthy, working out, and as of late, getting a professional allergy test with Nectar. Nectar is dedicated to helping Americans find the information they need about their allergies once and for all (which is about 120 million of us). Nectar offers at-home testing kits and prescription allergy drops so no appointment or even changing out of your PJs is required to take care of yourself. If you’re in NYC, you have the option of visiting their allergy clinic, too. I had the pleasure of doing just that last month!

A quick train ride from NJ into NYC’s Union Square led me to the Nectar Allergy Center. After escaping the pouring rain, I was greeted by soothing shades of forest green and a receptionist with a welcoming, warm smile. She gave me in-take forms (super easy to fill out), then I was led to the clinical room.

After being seated in a luxury chair that had a footrest and a padded headrest, I noticed sounds of birds and running water echoing around the room. I took note of this because as someone with doctor anxiety, I was instantly soothed. The nurse informed me of what was going to happen: I would have an option of choosing my forearms or back for the allergy test spot. I opted for my forearms and was then asked the usual series of questions when at the doctor’s office (weight, height, medical history, etc).

Then for the fun part: allergy testing! Dr. Akansha Ganju was overseeing my appointment, a west-coast native with years of experience dealing with allergies. She answered all of my questions about why allergies occur (the immune system thinks something is foreign and will hurt us, so therefore we have allergies) and explained that common allergy triggers are grass, weeds, trees, pets, foods. Dr. Ganju cultivated a space for me to feel empowered to learn more about my health – and then it was time to get tested. I rolled up my sleeves, the nurse cleaned my forearms with alcohol, and she numbered my arms with a marker. She explained there would be a control substance that would definitely react as an allergen, and one that didn’t. You might be wondering how I would know if I was allergic. Well, it’s pretty interesting: once the drops were placed on my arms next to their corresponding numbers, I waited fifteen minutes. Five minutes in, I felt an itchy sensation and peaked to see that some areas were inflamed and red. I must admit it is hard not to scratch, but I toughed it out for the next ten minutes. The nurse measured the inflammation with a ruler to measure the circumference of the bumps. It was a bit weird to see areas that were absolutely normal, some small bumps, and spots that were bright red! Dr. Ganju took note of each size, paired it up with the corresponding allergen, and left the room to print out my results. The nurse wiped off the allergens and applied a cream to soothe my achy arm.

Once Dr. Ganju had my results, she explained some of my major allergies, which definitely surprised me! Trees such as White Ash, Mulberry, and Oak were some of the strongest allergens, along with one that blew me away. It was… dogs! I had to laugh in disbelief because I have owned two sweet pups for over a decade now. I asked Dr. Ganju: well, what now? She offered some of Nectar’s options: in-house allergy shots or at-home allergy drops. She added that if I take the drops the season before I typically have allergies I should notice a difference in my symptoms – no more runny nose, itchy eyes, and swollen lips. At that moment I wasn’t sure which would be best, but a month later, I definitely am interested in the Nectar allergy drops! Once my appointment wrapped up, Dr. Ganju showed me around the different rooms for patients.

The most intriguing was the observation room, a floor-to-ceiling glass room located next to the reception desk. Dr. Ganju explained it was for patients who needed to be monitored for allergy tests like kids and food allergies. If anything went wrong, the staff would be able to watch and react ASAP!

For less intense allergy testing (like the shots) there was a lounge to sit in, read books, use iPads, or just chill until your time was up. I thanked Dr. Ganju and the rest of the staff for their time and headed back into the rainy streets of NYC!

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After learning about my allergies I now have the knowledge to advocate for my health and well-being. Here are some follow-up questions answered by expert allergist, Dr. Tania Elliott M.D., a board-certified allergist/immunologist from the Nectar Allergy Center.

Q: What is the immunological basis of allergic reactions, and what do you wish the general public knew about them?
Allergic reactions are the body’s abnormal reaction to something normally occurring in the environment. Environmental allergies can significantly impact productivity, quality of life, sleep and lung function.

Q: Why should people invest in testing and identifying their allergies?
120 million Americans suffer from allergies and related issues, yet 45% of allergy sufferers just tolerate their uncomfortable symptoms and don’t see an allergist. Others load up on over-the-counter allergy medications, which temporarily or partially mask the symptoms without addressing the root cause.
When a person undergoes testing with an allergist and identifies their specific allergenic triggers, they gain important knowledge that can support treatments like immunotherapy, which is designed to provide long-term relief.

Q: As a university student, how can my life be improved by treatments like Nectar? How might achieving relief from my allergies also improve my studies/social life?
In addition to physical symptoms, such as sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, skin rashes, and coughing, allergies can have a huge impact on a person’s overall quality of life. Disrupted sleep can lead to reduced productivity in school or at work. An allergy sufferer might also be limited in their ability to enjoy certain outdoor activities, travel, or social events. The cumulative effect of these challenges can be stressful and even isolating.

It is important to understand what is triggering your symptoms. We recently opened the new Nectar Allergy Center here in NYC with the goal of helping people identify and take control over their allergenic triggers. We are passionate about empowering and educating patients, and the clinic reflects this in many cool ways. From the convenient location near Union Square, to the modern and hypoallergenic decor, to the comfortable and relaxing observation areas, the aesthetic is more boutique hotel or spa than doctor’s office. We aim to make it easy and accessible for patients to pursue testing and treatment.
At the Nectar Allergy Center, if a patient tests and proves eligible for treatment, a licensed clinician will help them explore possible options. Long term relief can be achieved through immunotherapy in the form of prescription allergy drops under the tongue, or shots that are given in the office.

Q: Any tips for managing spring allergies? (I’m already thinking about spring break!)
Some tips include:
Keep windows closed and air conditioning on.
Take off clothes as soon as you come inside, wash them and take a shower to wash off all of the pollen you track into the home. Take off shoes and leave them at the door.
Wipe down your pets after walks as pollen can get stuck in their fur.
Shower before bed, so you do not track pollen from your hair into the home.
Avoid hairsprays, which makes pollen stick to them.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat or sunglasses to prevent pollen from getting stuck in your eyelids.
I also encourage allergy sufferers to visit our online Learning Hub for more information on how to understand and treat allergies, as well as the latest research in the field.

Q: Why did you go into this line of work, and why did you partner with Nectar?
Being an allergist is similar to being a detective, listening really closely to every detail and trying to piece together what is going on and getting to the root cause of symptoms. As an allergy sufferer myself, it can be very hard to get straight answers or find a doctor who is willing to listen to exactly what is going on and partner with you each step of the way. Often a patient has been to many doctors who give partial answers before finally finding an allergist who can help.

I chose to join Nectar because of their unique approach to high-quality, accessible, and experiential patient care. We are best-in-class for science and evidence-based care, but also pride ourselves on exceptional patient experience and customer service, something that is much lacking yet needed in healthcare today.
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