Allergies

Allergies are a significant cause of patient discomfort and visits to the physician office. Our Allergy Program incorporates skin testing for allergies that can now be done easily and relatively painlessly on the back and forearm, and usually takes an hour and half to complete. Through blood tests we can accurately diagnosis inhalants as well as many food allergies.

We provide the most recent advances in allergy desentization including allergy shots or allergy drops that are administered under the tongue. More than 80% of inhalant allergy patients benefit from allergy desensitization treatment.

By desentizing allergies our patients who suffer from allergy problems such as allergic rhinitis and hay fever, asthma, eczema, urticaria and hives, and food allergy are able to have a better quality of life.

About Skin Testing

At the present time, there are two primary ways to test for allergies: skin tests and blood tests. Our practice uses a combination of these tests. An individualized evaluation will be done at the time of your visit to determine which test will be best for you.

Allergy skin testing is easily and comfortably performed on the skin of the back and forearm. The test consists of gentle pricks made with disposable plastic prongs with drops of allergen extract on them. This completely sterile and disposable applicator tests for trees, grasses, molds, pollens, and animal dander.

If you are allergic, a slight swelling, itching and reddening of the skin will occur. Our staff will record the severity of the reaction. The size may vary from allergen to allergen depending on your level of sensitization to each. The size of the reaction is then compared to the positive and negative “controls” or base line. The information from the skin testing can determine in minutes what you are allergic to with an incredible degree of accuracy, helping your doctor to determine the cause of your allergies. The allergic reaction from skin testing will generally subside after a short period of time.

Based on results obtained from your prick testing we perform intradermal testing. Intradermal allergy testing is another method of skin testing to help determine whether an individual is allergic to a specific allergen. The test involves injection of a small amount of the suspected allergen under the surface of the skin. After about 20 minutes the area is examined for a reaction at the site. A typical reaction looks like a small hive with swelling and redness. The intradermal test is more sensitive than the skin prick test and can usually provide more consistent results.

About Blood Testing

Blood testing for allergies is a newer technology for allergy diagnosis. These measure the same allergy triggers as skin tests and are useful in certain patients such as young children, and those who are on certain medications that prevent us from doing skin tests. On occasion it may be appropriate or necessary to do blood testing in addition to skin testing  to identify the causative allergens.

Services/Treatments Offered:

• Allergy Testing
• Allergy Drops/Shots
• Pediatric Allergy Treatment