Allergy and Asthma FAQs in Carmel, Indiana

Inspire Allergy & Asthma is a direct-care allergy practice, which means visits are designed to be more personal, unrushed, and transparent. Patients have more time with Dr. Sivam, clearer pricing, and a treatment plan built around their symptoms, goals, and daily life.

Absolutely! Please enroll as a patient at this website: www.tinyurl.com/iaaenrollment Once registered, our team will reach out to schedule your appointment within 24 business hours.

No referral is needed. Since we operate under a direct allergy care model and do not bill insurance, you can schedule an appointment directly—no extra steps required. We’ve made it simple to access expert allergy care on your terms.

We help kids and adults breathe easier and feel better by diagnosing and treating a wide range of allergy and immune conditions — including seasonal and environmental allergies, asthma, food allergies, eczema, hives, and sinus problems. Whatever’s been holding you back, we’ll work with you to find solutions that make daily life more comfortable.

A board-certified allergist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies, asthma, and immune-related conditions. This includes everything from seasonal allergies and food allergies to eczema, hives, sinus issues, and more. Allergists go through extra training after medical school and residency to understand how the immune system reacts to allergens and how to help patients feel better — not just by managing symptoms, but by treating the root cause when possible. Dr. Sivam is board-certified, which means she has completed rigorous specialty training and passed comprehensive exams to demonstrate the highest level of expertise in allergy and immunology. At Inspire Allergy & Asthma, Dr. Sivam works with both children and adults to create personalized treatment plans that fit your lifestyle and help you breathe easier, sleep better, and live more comfortably.

Allergies can have a major effect on your day-to-day life. Constant sneezing, congestion, or itchy eyes can leave you feeling tired, distracted, and uncomfortable — especially when symptoms are chronic. Allergies can also affect sleep, focus at work or school, and even your mood. In children, untreated allergies may impact behavior, learning, or development. The good news is that with the right diagnosis and treatment plan, most people see a big improvement in their symptoms — and their overall quality of life. At Inspire Allergy and Asthma, we’re here to help you feel your best again.

Yes! Dr. Sivam is experienced in caring for both children and adults — and she’s comfortable seeing kids of all ages, even little ones just starting to show allergy-like symptoms. When it comes to testing, every child is unique. The decision to test for food or environmental allergies depends on your child’s specific symptoms and how severe they are. In many cases, food allergy testing is done first, while environmental testing may come a bit later.

Your first visit includes a thorough consultation with Dr. Sivam, a review of your medical history, and, if appropriate, allergy testing or pulmonary function testing. We may also order labs or imaging, prescribe medications, and create a personalized treatment plan—all in one visit when possible.

To help us make the most of your visit, here are a few simple steps you can take: Stop antihistamines at least 3-5 days before your appointment (if possible). These medications can interfere with allergy testing. We’ll provide you with a list of common medications to hold. Bring your medical records, especially any prior allergy testing, lab results, or relevant imaging. If needed, we can help retrieve these before your visit. Make a list of your symptoms, including when they occur, how long they last, and any suspected triggers. This helps guide the evaluation. Bring a list of current medications and supplements you’re taking. Note any questions or concerns you’d like to discuss—we’re here to help you feel informed and supported. Eat and hydrate as usual before your visit. We want your first visit to feel thorough, thoughtful, and unhurried. You’ll receive a detailed evaluation, possible skin or blood testing, and a personalized treatment plan based on your needs and goals.

To ensure accurate allergy testing results, please stop taking the following medications for the time periods listed below before your appointment: Stop 5 Days Before Appointment: Benadryl (diphenhydramine) Zyrtec (cetirizine) Xyzal (levocetirizine) Claritin (loratadine) Allegra (fexofenadine) Clarinex (desloratadine) Stop 5 Days Before Appointment (Prescription Antihistamines) Hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril) Cyproheptadine Doxepin (used for allergies or sleep) Stop 3 Days Before Appointment (Nasal Sprays & Eye Drops) Astelin (azelastine nasal spray) Patanase (nasal spray) Olopatadine (Patanol, Pataday) Ketotifen (Zaditor) Other antihistamine nasal sprays or eye drops -Do NOT stop any asthma inhalers, montelukast (Singulair), nose sprays with steroids (like Flonase or Nasacort), or other medications unless instructed. -If you have any concerns about stopping any of your medications, please contact us before your appointment. We’re happy to help!

In many cases, Dr. Sivam can use results from previous allergy testing. Whether your past results are still helpful depends on a few factors, including who did the testing, how the testing was done, and how long ago it was completed. After reviewing your medical history, Dr. Sivam will talk with you to determine whether new testing is needed or if your previous results are still accurate and useful.

Yes! We provide in-office skin prick testing and, when necessary, intradermal testing and blood work to identify environmental, food, and medication allergies.

Medications like antihistamines or nasal sprays can help manage allergy symptoms, but they don’t treat the underlying cause — they’re more like a temporary fix. Immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops) works differently. It helps retrain your immune system in a more natural way, making it less sensitive to allergens over time. This can lead to long-term relief, fewer symptoms, and less need for daily medications. At Inspire Allergy & Asthma, we recommend immunotherapy for patients who want a more lasting, natural solution — especially if their symptoms are persistent, severe, or not well-controlled with medications alone.

A food allergy involves the immune system — your body reacts to a food as if it’s harmful, leading to symptoms like hives, swelling, vomiting, or even a severe reaction called anaphylaxis. These symptoms usually appear quickly, often within minutes to two hours after eating. A food intolerance doesn’t involve the immune system. It’s usually related to how your body digests certain foods and can cause bloating, gas, or stomach pain, often several hours after eating. At Inspire Allergy & Asthma, we take the time to uncover what’s really going on. Through a detailed history, exam, and testing when needed, we can help determine whether it’s an allergy, intolerance, or something else — and guide you toward clear, safe answers.

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) helps your body build tolerance to environmental allergens over time, reducing your symptoms. Options for AIT usually include allergy shots (injections) and sublingual immunotherapy (allergy drops under the tongue). Both methods are safe and effective, and we’ll help you decide which option is best suited to your needs and lifestyle.

Yes. Inspire Allergy & Asthma offers oral immunotherapy, also called OIT, for appropriate patients with peanut, tree nut, and select other food allergies. OIT is a structured treatment that gradually introduces small amounts of a food allergen with the goal of building protection against accidental exposures.

Yes. For appropriate environmental allergy patients, Inspire Allergy & Asthma offers sublingual immunotherapy, often called allergy drops. Allergy drops are placed under the tongue at home after the first dose is given under medical supervision in the office.

At Inspire Allergy & Asthma, we’ve chosen not to work with insurance so we can focus fully on what matters most — you. Without the red tape, we’re able to spend more time together, provide truly personalized care, and keep our pricing clear and straightforward. You’ll always know what to expect, with no surprise bills or confusing statements. We still encourage patients to keep insurance for things like primary care visits, medications, labs, biologics, and imaging, but within our practice, you’ll experience care that’s simpler, more transparent, and centered entirely on your health — not paperwork.

We believe in keeping things simple and transparent when it comes to cost. You can find a full breakdown of our fees on the Pricing page, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re always happy to talk through your options.

We want to make paying for your care as easy as possible. Inspire Allergy & Asthma accepts all major credit and debit cards, Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). Payment is due at the time of your visit, and we’ll always review costs with you beforehand so there are no surprises.