Allergy Testing & Immunotherapy

Why are allergy tests necessary?

Allergy tests allow doctors to figure out what’s causing your symptoms. Some types of symptoms may include:

• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Shortness of breath
• Itchy eyes
• Coughing
• Rashes
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Fever

Allergies occur when your immune system is overreacting to something that typically doesn’t cause a reaction in most people. It’s important to have testing done so that it’s clear what is causing the symptoms so that the allergen can be eliminated from your diet or avoided in your surroundings.

How are allergy tests performed?

Allergy tests are performed by either a blood test or skin test. If you are taking certain types of medication or have skin problems like eczema, a blood test may be preferable.

Skin testing

For a skin test, a provider pricks the skin on the inside of your forearm or back with a tiny bit of the allergen to see if there is a reaction. If the pricked area becomes red and if there is swelling, it means that there is most likely an allergy. If this reaction occurs and it causes slight discomfort, the team at Family Medicine and Acute Care of Sandhills is ready to help you, possibly prescribing antihistamines or giving you a cream to soothe the area. Results are visible within 20 minutes. There is little to no pain during the pricking portion of the test.

Blood testing

For a blood test, a team member draws your blood and sends it to a lab to diagnose the allergies. The testing portion is a quick and easy option; however, unlike skin tests, results can possibly take up to several days, depending on the lab.

What happens during an allergy testing appointment?

The team at Family Medicine and Acute Care of Sandhills starts by asking you questions about your medical history. It’s important for you to tell the team about your medical history, your symptoms, and your family history with eczema, hives, asthma, etc. This is followed by a physical exam and then is finished with an allergy test.

What is immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy works by administering increasingly tiny doses of the specific allergen over a period of time. This causes the immune system to become accustomed to the allergen and become less reactionary. The immunotherapy treatments are administered through a shot or tablet. Once it is accustomed to the allergen, your body may ultimately become less allergic. When this happens, you’ll notice a significant reduction in symptoms when the allergen is present.

Family Medicine and Acute Care of Sandhills helps you find treatment options and solutions to make sure you feel significant relief from your symptoms. If your allergens are, for example, grass pollen, dust mites, and bee venom, immunotherapy might be the right option for you.

Call the office or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about Family Medicine and Acute Care of Sandhills and how they can help you find relief from your allergies.