Allergy Testing

Allergy testing

Discovering your allergies is not and should not be a guessing game. Board certified allergists order diagnostic tests. There are blood tests and skin tests depending upon the nature of the allergen to be tested. Skin testing is suppressed by allergy medications, so it is imperative to stop all antihistamines at least 3-5 days before these tests are performed. The timing differs depending on the half life of the medications taken. There are medications other than antihistamines that may interfere with skin tests so you should clearly communicate all the medications you are taking with your doctor. Once the allergies are discovered, you and your doctor will be able to proceed with a treatment plan.