Allergy Testing
Struggling with seasonal allergies, pet or pollen allergies, or unexplained food allergies? Don’t guess . . . test. Allergies are one of the most common and often overlooked conditions. An allergy is a genetic condition that causes the immune system to react to otherwise harmless substances, called allergens, as though they are harmful to the body. Although symptoms can vary from patient to patient, the most common symptoms are nasal congestion, itchy eyes, sneezing, runny nose, hives, or an itchy rash. Once Dr. Stabile has identified what is triggering your allergies, a treatment plan can be customized to provide relief and eliminate or minimize your symptoms and discomfort.
Types of Testing
Allergy testing involves having a skin test to determine what substance may be triggering an allergic response in a person. Based on the test results, you will be given a plan of care that may include medication, immunotherapy, education and options available to you. You are an active partner in your care and are included in the decision-making process. We test for food, environmental, and allergies to topical products by performing skin prick tests and patch tests.
Skin Prick (Scratch) Tests
For Food and Environmental Allergens
Skin Prick testing is performed on children and adults to test for allergies to food or environmental inhalants. The skin is on the patient’s back is gently scratched with a plastic device that has a drop of allergen on the end. The state-of-the-art plastic device we use allows the application of several tests at once, with little or no discomfort and no bleeding. A small amount of an allergen is placed on or just below the skin to see if a reaction will occur. If you are allergic to a specific food or environmental inhalant, an itchy, red, raised bump (referred to as a wheal) will appear within 15 minutes, indicating a positive reaction.
Patch Tests
For Topical Substances/Contact Dermatitis
Patch testing is performed to test for allergies to topical substances, such as ingredients in skin care or hair dyes, identifying allergy triggers for certain skin rash symptoms. As an aid in the diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis, patches are applied to the patient’s back. Patients return to the office at various intervals (ideally 48 hours and 72 hours after patches are applied) for evaluation of any reactions.