Welcome to our clinic.
We are pleased that you have chosen to join our practice. If you will be visiting us for the first time for an allergy evaluation, you may find the following information helpful.
The First Visit
Prior to seeing the doctor for your first visit, you will be asked to complete a brief health history form. You can download the form now and bring the completed from with you to expedite the visit.
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Your first visit will include a consultation with the doctor followed by any tests such as allergy testing or pulmonary function testing that may be recommended. A preliminary review of the test results will be discussed with you by the doctor and an initial treatment plan outlined the same day. The initial visit should last from 30 minutes to 90 minutes depending on the type of visit and any testing required.
Allergy Testing
Two methods are commonly used for allergy testing. These include skin testing and allergy blood test. Both methods are useful but most experts agree that skin testing has several advantages over blood tests. Skin testing is usually less 
painful than having blood drawn, particularly for children. In addition, the results are more sensitive with less chance for error and allergy skin testing provides immediate results that are interpreted directly by an allergy specialist in the context of a patients history.
There are times when a blood test for allergies is preferable. For a blood test for allergies can be used when patients are unable to stop antihistamines or who might have skin disorders that prevent skin testing.
Allergy skin testing involves placing a small drop of an allergen on the skin of the arm or back. The drop is lightly scratched to expose underlying allergy cells. If you are allergic to the drop being tested, a small “mosquito bite” like bump will appear which is measured and recorded according to the size of the reaction.
In children, a multi-test device can be used which takes just seconds to apply and is less painful than having blood drawn for an allergy blood test.
Multi Test Device
Medications Before Allergy Testing
Medications that contain antihistamines can interfere with an accurate reading of allergy skin tests. For this reason, all prescription antihistamines (Clarinex, Xyzal, and Allegra) as well as any non-prescription antihistamines including Loratadine, (Claritin, Alavert) and Ceterazine (Zyrtec) should be stopped 5 days prior to testing. Benadryl can be taken up to 24 hrs prior to testing.
If you are unable to stop antihistamines, other medications can be prescribed which will help to control symptoms until testing can be completed.
All asthma medications including inhaled steroids, Singulair, and bronchodilators like Albuterol, as well as oral steroids, will not interfere with the tests and should not be stopped. More information on medication use before allergy testing can be found in the link below.