Tests We Perform & Treatment Options
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30 MILLION Patients Report Penicillin Allergy
But did you know...
80-90% of patients who think they are, when tested, are NOT
Estimated antibiotic costs for penicillin allergic patients are 63% higher than those not allergic to penicillin.
It is important to get tested before you need penicillin.
There is an easy way to FIND OUT
Ask us about penicillin allergy testing today!
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As asthma specialists, allergists have consistently shown that they can provide EFFECTIVE & ECONOMICAL asthma management.
Dr. Ronald Wolfson specializes in a variety of allergy and asthma testing procedures and treatments for both children and adults. It's important to recognize when it's time to refer to an allergist. At the Allergy & Asthma Clinics of Fox Valley, S.C. we strive to treat all conditions while incorporating the most current available treatment modalities and medications.
Many people simply become accustomed to living with allergy symptoms, such as constant postnasal drip or a nagging cough. However, the right diagnosis and treatment can reduce symptoms and in some cases, treatment may help prevent more serious allergic conditions such as asthma or eczema. Many people suffer year-round with symptoms that come and go and may be misdiagnosed as a sinus infection or cold but actually they may be suffering from allergies.
The Key to Finding Relief is Knowing Which Allergens You React To Allergy Skin Testing
The scratch, or more accurately, the prick-puncture test (one of the most common methods) involves placement of a small amount of suspected allergy-causing substances (allergens) on the skin (usually the forearm, upper arm, or the back), and then pricking the skin so that the allergen is introduced under the skin surface. The skin is observed closely for signs of a reaction, usually swelling and redness of the site - a controlled hive with a so-called wheal and flare. Results are usually obtained within about 15-20 minutes, and several suspected allergens can be tested at the same time. A similar method involves injection of a small amount of allergen within the surface of the skin (intradermal skin testing) to test for allergies in adults as a more sensitive version of the skin prick test.
The Most Important Step in Managing Allergies is Immunotherapy – or What People Commonly Call Allergy Shots
Immunotherapy "allergy shots” or “allergy vaccinations"
Allergy shots actually contain extracts of the very same substances that the patient is allergic to. The shots are virtually painless, quick, are considered comparatively safe even for pregnant women and have virtually no side effects. It involves administering gradually increasing doses of the substance (allergen) to which the person is allergic. The incremental increases of the allergen cause the immune system to become less sensitive to the substance over time, which reduces the symptoms of allergy when the substances are encountered in the future.
Fortunately, the end result of allergy shots is usually the disappearance of the symptoms, the cessation of medications and surprisingly the end of the immunotherapy itself. In fact, the treatment is overwhelmingly successful and most patients can look forward to a lifetime of freedom from symptoms and medications!
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