Q: How long does the testing process take?
A: It all depends on what we think you’re allergic to, meaning we may need to test you more or less depending on the symptoms and severity you’re experiencing. However, most patients can have their initial appointment, their testing and have a follow-up appointment to determine what course of action is going to be taken, all within about 10 days.
Q: How are you going to test me?
A: The testing process to indoor and outdoor allergens is done on the skin of the arm and sometimes on the back. We also perform a breathing capacity test called a Pulmonary Function Test. This test is used to help determine if asthma is a component of your symptoms. There are also blood tests available if deemed necessary.
Q: What will you test me to?
A: Most often, we tests to typical indoor and outdoor allergens. These include dust mites, grasses, trees, weeds, ragweed, cat and dog dander, molds and some insects. In other cases, we may add something specific like hamster, horses or feathers.
Q: But I don’t think those are my concerns. Do you test to stinging insects?
A: Yes, we do! We can test to many stinging insects such as the honey bee, yellow jacket, hornet, wasp and mosquito.
Q: That’s good to know but I think my problems are foods that I’ve been eating. Do you test to foods?
A: Yes, we do! We can test to just about any food. Some of the more common complaints we encounter concern soy, dairy, seafood and tree nuts, but we can also test to practically any food. We stock a large amount of more common foods for you to be tested to and in the event that your specific concern is for something more exotic, we are able to locate that serum and bring it into stock just for your test. This would be at no additional inconvenience or expense to you beyond our standard practices.
Q: I think I’m allergic to Penicillin though. Do you test to antibiotics?
A: Yes, we do! Commonly we hear that people feel that they are allergic to Penicillin because of a reaction they encountered as a child, therefore they’ve always been told they’re allergic to it. In over 80% of these cases, the adult turns out NOT to be allergic and may have encountered something that was temporary with their youth. Many times infants cannot tolerate cow’s milk but it’s no longer an issue as an adolescent, something that simply resolves itself over time – this is the same scenario. We can test to just about any antibiotic but the most common we encounter are for Penicillin drugs, Sulfa drugs, Tetracycline and Cephalosporins.
Q: My child was given a vaccine at his pediatrician’s office and I think he had an allergic reaction. I’m concerned about him going back for his booster shots. Are vaccines something you’re able to test to?
A: Yes, we can! If your pediatrician is concerned that your child may be allergic to the vaccines he or she is receiving, then we absolutely can. Typically we ask that the doctor who feels this way send along with the patient a very small sample of the exact vaccine preparation they feel there’s a linked allergy to. This way we can be certain we are testing to exactly what may have caused or potentially may cause a reaction.
Q: I recently had dental work done and I had a bad reaction to the Novacaine my dentist used. Can you test to anesthetics?
A: Yes, we can! Just as the same with testing to vaccines, we ask that the doctor who feels this way send along with the patient a very small sample of the exact anesthetic preparation they feel there’s a linked allergy to. This way we can be certain we are testing to exactly what may have caused or potentially may cause a reaction.
Q: If I decide to go on allergy shots, how long will I have to be on them?
A: Great question! At first, the injections will be given once or twice weekly but later they will be tapered down to monthly intervals as a maintenance shot. Eventually some patients may be able to discontinue their shots altogether.
Q: I used to see a different allergist before but I want to start coming to the Allergy Clinics, what should I do?
A: The critical first step is to call one of our offices to schedule an appointment. At this appointment, explain that you’ve been treated in the past by a different allergist. We will have you sign a form allowing us to get copies of your visits, tests and treatment and we will have those sent to us as a reference. Regardless if you’ve seen an allergist before or not, we can see you and start treating you immediately.
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