Allergy Testing: Tailoring Treatment Plans for Individual Needs

There are several allergy tests use to determine the substances to which a person is allergic. Diagnosis has several methods and testing is the best way to find out which allergens are causing your condition. Once we have identified what you are allergic to, it is much easier to avoid your allergens and treat your symptoms. In addition to a physical exam and reviewing your family history of allergy, tests can be done to help with diagnosis.

There is a substantial difference between an allergy and a sensitivity, or being intolerant to something. Symptoms associated with sensitivities, intolerances, and allergies can impact your health and quality of life.

We offer state of the art evaluation, painless allergy testing, and treatments:

• Seasonal allergies (including allergies to pollen, grass, and trees)
• Food allergies (including nuts, grains, shellfish, lactose/milk, citrus, spices)
• Insect allergies and bites
• Animal & pet allergies
• Skin allergies
• Hives and eczema care
• Eye allergies
• Drug or medication allergies
• Allergic/Anaphylactic reactions
• Sinus problems and infections
• Asthma & cough
• Mold allergies
• Penicillin allergy*
• Venom allergy
• Environmental allergies
• Drug allergies
• Chemical allergies, and
• Other allergies that cause allergic rhinitis and asthma

Allergy testing involves having a skin or blood test to determine what substance may be triggering an allergic response in a person. We feel that allergy skin testing is the gold standard of allergy testing, but sometimes both skin tests and blood tests may be used. Skin tests are usually performed because they are reliable, rapid, and typically more accurate, and less expensive than blood tests. Based on the test results, you will be given a plan of care that will include medication, education, and options available to you.

The allergy testing we perform, depending on your condition may include one (or a combination) of the following:

• Allergy Skin Prick Tests for environmental allergies
• Allergy Skin Prick Tests for food and spice allergies
• Patch Tests for skin allergies
• Allergy Intradermal Skin Testing
• Metals Allergy Testing
• Allergen Provocation Testing (Allergen Challenge)
• If intradermal (skin) allergy testing is not an option for you or your child, we can use blood testing to identify allergic sensitivities.

Sometimes our bodies don’t react well when exposed to something, but the effect of the allergen isn’t immediate, it’s cumulative. The body creates antibodies, but the symptoms don’t happen overnight and can wreak havoc over time. Symptoms can include fatigue, digestive issues, joint pain, headaches, and weight gain. The most common test for these types of allergies is the IgG lab test. These allergy tests detect immunoglobulin “g” traces in your blood and can identify the offending element.

Our allergy testing specialists offer evaluations and treatments to patients with asthma and allergies, including rhinitis, sinusitis or dermatitis, physical allergies, and hypersensitivities to drugs. We also care for patients with immune deficiencies, frequent infections, and inflammatory diseases of other types.

Our experienced allergy providers have specialized training and expertise in managing patients with a wide variety of allergic conditions. When you see our allergy providers, they will help you identify causes, triggers and develop a treatment plan specific to your individual needs. The goal is for you to have an excellent quality of life while being as allergy symptom-free as possible.  Schedule an appointment today.

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