Allergy Testing & Treatment for Patients
You Think You May Have Allergy Symptoms, But You Are Unsure About Allergy Testing
Depending on your symptoms, your Physician may recommend any one of seven types of Allergy Tests:
- Allergy Skin Testing: This is used to evaluate for suspected environmental or seasonal allergies, food allergy, stinging insect allergy, and certain drug/medication allergies. There are two types of skin tests: Prick skin testing, Intradermal
- Blood Tests: Blood tests are used to confirm skin tests, and to investigate certain other disorders of the immune system including angioedema (swelling episodes), chronic urticaria (hives), and primary immunodeficiency disorder.
- Spirometry (Lung Function Tests): This is a type of lung function test that we use to specifically evaluate for asthma. Asthma often occurs in individuals who have allergies.
- Patch Testing: This is used to evaluate for an underlying trigger/agent in individuals who develop contact dermatitis (rashes).
- Food Challenges: Incremental doses of the food are given to the patient starting with a very small quantity. Each dose is followed by a period of observation and assessment. Due to the risk of developing an adverse reaction, all food challenges are performed under physician supervision.
- Drug/medication Challenge: This is performed in selected individuals to confirm a drug allergy or to determine if they may tolerate a drug that they are currently avoiding. Doses are administered in a similar way to food challenge.
- Aspirin Desensitization: This procedure is performed in selected patients who have aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease or AERD– a condition that is characterized by aspirin respiratory reactions in patients with underlying chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, rhinitis, sinusitis, and/or nasal polyps.
What is “Allergy Testing”
- Allergy testing is a diagnostic test that is utilized to identify what is causing a patient’s allergy symptoms.
- Scratch test, also known as a puncture or prick test. The test scratches the outer layer of the skin to allow the allergen to penetrate. The skin will get irritated and may itch similar to a mosquito bite. The reaction will identify what allergen a patient may be allergic too.
- 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 10 minutes the area is examined for a reaction at the site.
How does it work?
The test scratches the outer layer of the skin to allow the allergen to penetrate or involves an injection of a small amount of the suspected allergen under the surface of the skin. The skin will get irritated and may itch similar to a mosquito bite. The reaction will identify what allergen a patient may be allergic too.
Benefits to the Patient
- Comprehensive testing with results within one hour
- Proven treatment options
- Lower cost of care
- Long-term relief
- No referral needed
Interested In Allergy Testing And Treatment Options? Call Pinnacle Allergy at 404-260-5366 Today!
FAQ’s
Adults and children over the age of 5 can be tested for allergies. This is especially helpful for patients who suffer with asthma, allergic pneumonia, conjunctivitis (pink eye), undiagnosed cough, dermatitis (skin irritation), rhinitis, sinusitis, urticaria (hives) and angioedema (similar to hives, but beneath the skin).
You will be tested for the 50 airborne allergens in your area and 20 non-inhalant foods. We will test for dust mites, proteins from pet hair and dander, trees, grass and weed pollen, molds and cockroach droppings and foods.
Allergen immunotherapy is a form of treatment aimed at decreasing your sensitivity to substances called allergens. It involves introducing increasing amounts of an allergen to a patient over several months.
No, the skin test is a painless way to test a patient’s sensitivity to many different environmental allergens ranging from dust mites to pollen to various trees and grasses. During the test, plastic skin scratchers are dipped in antigens and gently pressed against a patient’s back or arms.
Call or contact us and we will schedule an appointment with a physician in your area.
Yes, almost all private insurance providers (Blue Cross, Aetna, United, Cigna, etc.) allow for coverage of both the test and the medication to treat the results of the tests.
Actually, you will know what you’re allergic to the same day of your test. Usually, within 20 minutes of the test being administered.
Yes, Anaphylaxis (allergic reaction) can occur and it is very rare.
It really depends on a patient’s individual allergies, including the number of allergies a patient has and the severity of each. Many patients start to physically feel better and experience some symptomatic relief within 1-3 months of starting their therapy. To achieve complete alleviation of patients’ allergies usually takes 2-3 years, but in rare cases it can require up to 5 years of therapy if a patient has severe allergies.