Skin Testing
Skin testing is available for select pollen, molds, dust mites, animal dander, foods, and the antibiotic penicillin.
Testing consists of placing a small amount of allergen extract on your skin with a skin test device that lightly scratches the skin. The number of screening skin tests varies depending on your symptoms. The skin testing lasts for 15-30 minutes, and your results will be available immediately afterwards.
Sometimes a second step is needed. This consists of placing a small amount of allergen extract into the skin using a needle. Again, the skin testing lasts for 15-30 minutes, and your results will be available immediately afterwards.
After the procedure, the skin tests may cause some temporary itching at the site of the test if you are allergic. At any time during your visit, please feel free to ask questions if there is something that you do not understand.
Allergy Shots
For most inhalant allergies (dust mite cockroach, pets, pollen, mold) you can get allergy shots. Allergy shots are also known as “immunotherapy.” Research has clearly shown the effectiveness of allergen immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma and stinging insect allergies. These studies have confirmed what allergy specialists have observed for years in their patients: Allergy shots work in relieving allergy symptoms! In fact, allergy shots are the ONLY way to suppress the underlying allergy response for long-term relief.
After skin testing we create a unique allergen extract individualized to your needs. By injecting gradually increasing doses of the offending allergen extract, the immune system builds up a tolerance to that allergen. Allergen immunotherapy treats the actual problem rather than just controls symptoms like medications do.
Allergy shots are not used for food allergies.
At the beginning, allergy shots are usually administered one to two times per week. With this build-up, improvement can occur within about 4-6 months and will usually be at its full benefit within 18-24 months. In a typical treatment schedule, shots are tapered to monthly intervals once maintenance is reached (usually at 6 to 10 months of therapy). Most people can come off their shots after about five years.
Allergy Tablets
The FDA has approved oral immunotherapy tablets within the US. It is the only FDA approved sublingual therapy (under the tongue). Available tablets include: Oralair (5 different grasses), Grastek (timothy grass), Ragwitek (ragweed) and Odactra (dust mite).
These are all fast-dissolving tablets that are placed under the tongue and contain specific allergen extracts. They are meant to be taken at least 12 weeks prior to the start of the grass or ragweed season. Dust mite tablet can be started anytime.
In general, they are less effective than allergy shots. Tablets are generally not the best option for patients who are allergic to multiple things, though may be a good option for someone allergic only to grass, ragweed or dust mite.
Lung Function Testing
Spirometry is a common office test used to assess how well your lungs work by measuring how much air you inhale, how much you exhale and how quickly you exhale.
Spirometry is used to diagnose asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other conditions that affect breathing. Spirometry may also be used periodically to monitor your lung condition and check whether a treatment for a chronic lung condition is helping you breathe better.
Oral Challenges
An oral challenge is a medical procedure in which a food or medicine is eaten slowly, in gradually increasing amounts, under medical supervision. This procedure is usually done when a careful medical history and allergy tests, such as skin and blood tests, are inconclusive. It is also done for confirmation of a negative skin or blood test in certain situations. It is a more definitive test.