Allergy Testing and Treatment
We offer two kinds of in-office allergy tests. One is blood test known as a RAST test. This is a simple blood test that requires no special preparation on the patient’s part. The other is a skin prick test, which is given on the skin, usually
on the forearms or back. This is not a painful test, and the results are available within about 20 minutes. You should not take any antihistamine medication for 7 days before the prick test.
The most popular kinds of allergy treatments are avoidance of the allergy trigger and medication to reduce symptoms. Common medications include oral therapy, such as antihistamine, and topical therapy, such as intranasal steroid sprays and antihistamine eyedrops. During your allergy evaluation, we can determine which of these treatments makes the most sense for you.
The only treatment for allergy that has a chance to permanently improve allergies is allergen immunotherapy injections, or “allergy shots.” These are prescribed for patients with allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or allergic asthma. We now offer allergy immunotherapy injections in the office. Some studies have shown that allergy immunotherapy may have a preventive role in allergic children, possibly preventing asthma from developing in some patients with allergic rhinitis. Immunotherapy would be considered for individuals who have moderate or severe symptoms not adequately controlled by environmental control measures and/or medications.