Allergy Testing Specialist

What are the different types of allergies?

Allergies develop when your immune system responds to a harmless substance as though it’s a foreign invader. It marks that substance as a danger to your health, and every time you encounter the same substance — the allergen — you have an allergic response.

Some of the most common allergens include:

• Contact allergens: poison ivy, soap, jewelry, latex
• Airborne allergens: pollen, mold, dust, weeds, dust mites
• Insect stings: bee, wasp, or other insects
• Pet allergies: saliva and dander
• Medications: penicillin is the most common
• Food allergies: peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, eggs, milk

What symptoms may signal an allergy?

The symptoms you experience depend on the allergen. As one example, if you’re allergic to pollen, you have nasal and eye symptoms. Common allergy symptoms include:

• Sneezing
• Itchy nose, eyes, or mouth
• Swelling of your tongue or face
• Runny nose
• Congested nose
• Swollen, watery eyes
• Rash or hives
• Wheezing
• Itchy, dry, scaling, or oozing skin
• Itchy, swollen area at the site of an insect sting
• Upset stomach, diarrhea, cramping (food allergies)

When should you get tested for allergies?

If your allergies don’t respond to over-the-counter medications, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment at Southwest Family Medicine Associates for a checkup and possible allergy testing. It’s also a good idea to consider allergy testing if you experience:

• Chronic sinus infections, nasal congestion, or difficulty breathing
• Allergy symptoms several months out of the year
• Allergies that interfere with normal daily life
• Shortness of breath, wheezing, or chest tightness
• Asthma attacks that get worse or more frequent

What types of allergy testing are available?

Before getting an allergy test, your doctor at Southwest Family Medicine Associates reviews your medical history, asks about your symptoms, and performs a thorough examination. If you have a rash or hives, a magnified skin inspection helps rule out other skin conditions.

If an allergy is suspected, these tests can reveal the exact allergens responsible for your symptoms:

• Patch testing: small amounts of allergens placed on your skin under an adhesive coating
• Skin prick testing: after small amounts of allergens placed on your skin, the area is pricked to let the allergen get under your skin
• Blood testing: allergens are detected in blood when a skin test may be unsafe or if you have a skin condition that may interfere with skin testing

Let Southwest Family Medicine Associates help you get control of your allergies. Call or schedule an appointment online.