My partner has a severe dust allergy, as well as a mild cat allergy.
Her allergies were to the point that just sitting in her house, I've had to guide her around the house as she just can't see.
She got in to see a specialist around May of this year, and they have turned everything around dramatically. While she now does take allergy meds morning and night, they've also had her on drops, which she takes morning and night. The purpose of the drops is to actually build her body up to being used to the dust/cats - One of the reasons she needs to be on allergy medication day and night (She takes a tablet in the morning, and a nasal spray morning and night).
The drops she is meant to be on for 18 to 24 months before it will be in full effect, BUT we've both noticed, even if she forgets to take her allergy meds these days her reactions are now 1/10th the severity.
Getting to the specialist, and doing the tests is a must do in my opinion. Also the drops aren't overly expensive and you don't need to see the specialist every month (Her current appointment gap is 5 months), if you need more drops (Which a bottle lasts 2 months), you call up, and they send a bottle to you. (Well her specialist does) and the drops work out at just on $1 per day...
Unfortunately her specialist is in Sydney and might be a bit far for you to travel.